Cardinal Pizzardo’s message for Rio

Cardinal Pizzardo – Cardijn – 23 10 1961

On 23 October 1961, Cardinal Giuseppe Pizzardo, longtime head of the Vatican Office for Catholic Action and nemesis of Cardijn, addressed a letter to him for the IYCW International Council in Rio de Janeiro.

“Most Reverend Monsignor,

I received with great joy the announcement of the second International Council of the YCW, which will take place in Brazil (Petropolis) from November 2 to 11, and of the Grand Assembly which will bring together 30,000 young workers, an assembly that will close the National Congress of the YCW of Brazil. I have also taken note of the program that You were kind enough to send me.

I pray the Lord to always bless You and assist You in the apostolate, which is so fruitful useful for the Christian future of the world, and which You carry out on behalf of youth. And may the Master of the Harvest awaken a great number of ecclesiastical vocations.

Assuring You the help of my prayers for the success of the project, I have the pleasure to say that I am completely devoted in Our Lord

(G. Cardinal Pizzardo)”

SOURCE

ORIGINAL FRENCH

Cardinal Giuseppe Pizzardo – Joseph Cardijn 23 10 1961 (Joseph Cardijn Digital Library)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Cardinal Giuseppe Pizzardo – Joseph Cardijn 23 10 1961 (Joseph Cardijn Digital Library)

Back to Rome

On 29 January, Cardijn left for Rome for the second plenary meeting of the PCLA.

As usual, he sought to maximise the trip, staying on for several extra days until 12 February in order to meet other Vatican officials and contacts.

Interestingly, Marguerite Fiévez records Cardijn’s visit as being from 30 January until 10 February. Presumably the extra days recorded on the invoice from the retreat centre where he stayed were arrival, rest and departure days.

And who would begrudge Cardijn a day’s rest after his packed recent travel and work schedule?

SOURCE

Invoice (Archives Cardijn 1301)

Note by Marguerite Fiévez (Archives Cardijn 1300)