SACRA CONGREGAZIONE DEGLI AFFARI ECCLESIASTICI STRAORDINARI
NUM. DI PROTOCOLLO 443/36
VATICANO, LI 8 Février 1936
A Monsieur
L’ ABBE’ CARDIJN
Aumonier général de la J.O.C. Belge
79 Boulevard Poincaré
BRUXELLES
Monsieur l’Abbé,
J’ai reçu avec plaisir votre lettre du 28 Janvier p.p. et je m’empresse de Vous remercier des aimables paroles qu’elle contient à mon endroit.
J’ai aussi sans tarder fait connaître au Saint Père votre projet de voyage de propagande dans l’Amérique méridionale pour mettre les bases d’une solide organisation ouvrière dans ces régions si gravement menacées du communisme et de la franc-maçonnerie.
En approuvant le zèle que Vous manifestez dans cette occasion Sa Sainteté a daigné approuver cette propagande aussi opportune qu’urgente comme aussi le but d’organiser l’apostolat en faveur de la classe ouvrière, et comme gage de Ses voeux paternels et de l’aide d’En Haut Elle Vous accorde de grand coeur la Bénédiction Apostolique.
Aux encouragements venus de si haut et avec tant de bienveillance je me permets d’ajouter mes voeux les plus fervents pour le plus heureux succès de ces nouveaux labeurs et l’assu- rance de mes prières afin que le divin Sauveur féconde une oeuvre dont le but est de préserver un si grand nombre d’âmes des effets mortels de la propagande aussi vaste que tenace de l’athéisme.
Si Vous aviez la bonté de me faire parvenir le programme détaillé de Votre voyage je ne manquerai pas de prévenir les Représentants locaux du Saint Siège afin qu’ils Vous réservent un favorable accueil et Vous fournissent les indications dont vous pourriez avoir besoin.
Je suis bien aise que la modeste brochure que je me suis permis de Vous offrir sur l’Action Catholique ait rencontré votre agrément et votre approbation, et c’est avec le plus grand plaisir que je Vous envoie les copies que Vous désirez.
D’après l’entretien que j’ai eu l’honneur d’avoir avec Vous j’ai été heureux d’entendre confirmer Votre propos d’avoir toujours en vue dans votre travail la définition, donnée par le Saint Père de l’Action Catholique, c’est-à-dire qu’elle doit être”la participation du laïcat à l’apostolat hiérarchique”. Certainement le secret de l’efficacité et de la durée de l’Action Catholique est tout entier dans la compréhension de cette définition. Si la J.O.C., se valant de son excellente métodhe s’adaptera, en Amérique aussi, autant que possible à l’organisation hiérarchique, et acceptera complètement les instructions de la Hiérarchie, on évitera le danger et même tout apparence de laïcisme. En effet on a reproché quelque fois à l’Action Catholique d’introduire dans le corps de l’Eglise une organisme ayant ses propres buts et ses propres directives, un organisme qui pourrait causer à l’avenir des dommages à la cause catholique et procurer des ennuis à la Hiérarchie.
Un autre renseignement bien consolant pour moi ce fut très important et d’apprendre par votre aimable entretien que la J.O.C. sait bénéficier de l’élément sentimental, c’est-à-dire de l’enthousiasme que la jeunesse ressent pour toute cause noble et sainte, ainsi que de son ardeur pour la conquête des âmes. Mais, ce qui importe davantage, la J.O.C. tâche de donner à ses membres d’une manière méthodique et ordonnée une instruction religieuse doctrinale, imitant en cela ce que l’Eglise fait pour ses prêtres.
Une troisième question a été touchée, c’est-à-dire Votre propos d’organiser l’apostolat en faveur des ouvriers, qui ayant leur 25.ème année doivent quitter l’organisation. Ainsi Vous ne négligerez aucun âge et procurerez des Associations d’adultes, comme suite naturelle à celles des jeunes.
J’ai donc toute raison d’avoir pleine confiance que votre voyage, bien preparé, produira des fruits précieux. Sur place Vous pourriez Vous entendre avec les Ordinaires diocésains pour toutes les adaptations particulières requises par les circonstances et les lieux.
En Vous renouvelant l’expression de ma gratitude ainsi que les voeux pour Votre succès, je profite avec bonheur de la rencontre pour Vous redire, Monsieur l’Abbé,
CHÈQUES POSTAUX: 1059.63 BANQUE OUVRIERE DE BRUXELLES
To His Excellency Monsignor Pizzardo
Archbishop of Nicaea
Secretary of State, Vatican City
4494/35
Excellence,
Please find enclosed a note on Catholic Action, which I take the liberty of submitting for your consideration.
In the face of certain distortions and misunderstandings of the doctrine of the Sovereign Pontiff, with the approval of the Religious Authority, I have spread these ideas among my colleagues and our leaders of Catholic Action.
The extraordinary growth of Catholic Action has raised some concerns, both within certain ranks of the clergy and among some leaders of social and political organisations. The Pope’s thinking risks being interpreted through overly personal lenses.
After the admirable Encyclical on the priesthood, will the Holy Father not issue an Encyclical on the lay apostolate and Catholic Action?
I humbly apologise for daring to speak so simply to Your Excellency; She will see in it only a mark of confidence from a priest who wishes only to correspond as closely as possible to the desires of the Sovereign Pontiff.
Please accept, Your Excellency, with my repeated apologies for the inconvenience I dare to cause you, the expression of my deepest respect.
Your Excellency,
the most humble servant
Chan. Jo. Cardin
Chaplain General of the JOC
Brussels, 8 January 1936
French original
J.O.C
JEUNESSE OUVRIERE CHRETIENNE
79, BOULEVARD POINCARE – BRUXELLES TÉL.: 21.00.35
CHÈQUES POSTAUX: 1059.63 BANQUE OUVRIERE DE BRUXELLES
A Son Excellence Monseigneur Pizzardo
Archevêque de Nicée
Secrétaire d’Etat, CITE DU VATICAN
4494/35
Excellence,
Que Votre Excellence veuille trouver ci-joint une note sur l’Action Catholique, que je me permets de sou- mettre à Son appréciation.
Devant certaines déformations et certaines incompréhensions de la; doctrine du Souverain Pontife, avec l’approbation de l’Autorité Religieuse, j’ai répandu ves idées auprès de mes confrères et de nos dirigeants et dirigeantes d’Action Catholique.
Le développement extraordinaire de l’Action Catholique soulève quelques appréhensions tant dans certains rangs du clergé que chez certains dirigeants d’organisations sociales et politiques. La pensée du Souverain Pontife risque d’être interprêtée selon des vues trop personnelles.
Après l’Encyclique admirable sur le sacerdoce, le Saint Père ne donnerait-Il pas une Encyclique sur l’apostolat laïc et l’Action Catholique ?
Je m’excuse bien humblement d’oser parler si simplement à Votre Excellence; Elle voudra n’y voir qu’une marque de confiance d’un prêtre qui ne souhaite que de correspondre le plus possible aux désirs du Souverain Pontife.
Daignez agréer, Excellence, avec mes excuses réitérées pour le dérangement que j’ose vous causer, l’hommage du plus profond respect avec lequel je suis
Je vais à Genève du 14 au 18 janvier pour des journées sacerdotales sur la J.O.C., de là je viens à Rome où j’espère être le 19 pour y donner une conférence à l’Université Grégorienne.
Je serais si heureux de pouvoir obtenir à cette occasion une audience privée auprès du Saint Père pour Le remercier de sa lettre autographe à l’occasion de notre congrès jubilaire et Lui soumettre les perspectives inouïes que nous offre la J.O.C. mondiale.
Au début de cette nouvelle étape d’expansion de la J.O.C. j’ose solliciter les conseils et les avis de Votre Excellence au sujet de l’Action Catholique auprès de la jeunesse ouvrière.
Nous sommes occupés depuis notre congrès jubilaire à la conquête du milieu familial. Les résultats de ces derniers mois dépassent toute imagination et il ne paraît pas exagéré de dire que l’Action Catholique telle que le Souverain Pontife la veut peut transformer en peu d’années la face de la jeunesse et de la classe ouvrière.
Plusieurs questions nous préoccupent en ce moment:
1. les rapports de l’Action Catholique nationale et de l’Action Catholique diocésaine.
2. les rapports de l’Action Catholique de la jeunesse et de l’Action Catholique des adultes.
3. les rapports de l’Action Catholique et de l’Action politique.
(Handwritten note: come tale
(Handwritten note: nessuna pol. dr porth)
4. les rapports de l’Action Catholique et de l’Action Sociale catholique.
5. le jocisme et le scoutisme.
6. le jocisme et les patronages. (Handwritten note: ??? formation)
Puis-je me permettre de venir soumettre à Votre Excellence non des questions de principe mais des cas concrets qui exigent une solution pratique?
Daigne Votre Excellence agréer l’hommage du plus profond respect avec lequel je suis
CHÈQUES POSTAUX: 1059.63 BANQUE OUVRIERE DE BRUXELLES
To His Holiness Pope Pius XI
4494/35
Most Holy Father,
Humbly prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness, I dare to present to the Common Father of all the faithful, the homage of filial piety, of enthusiastic veneration, of total submission, of all the chaplains, of all the activists and of all the members of the J.O.C.
In this first year of the worldwide J.O.C., it is such a pleasant duty for us to thank Your Holiness for the kindness, trust, and precious encouragement that You have continually shown to the movement.This commitment, which He has shown from the very beginning of His apostolate, was renewed so solemnly on the occasion of our Jubilee Congress. The whole world thrilled to see the very personal role the Holy Father deigned to play in a solemnity that, by that very fact, would take on such unexpected splendor. It can be said without exaggeration that the working youth of the entire world resonated in unison with this Congress, and that in every country of the world voices rose up to thank the Pope for His paternal solicitude for young workers.
Therefore, the hopes of winning back the mass of young workers to Christ and the Church surpass all imagination, and it does not seem rash to foresee in the near future a complete transformation in the life and morals of young workers.
The miracles that Catholic Action, as the Holy Father wants it, works among young men and women workers, in working families, in workplaces, in barracks, in hospitals and sanatoriums, are truly disconcerting: we witness scenes and conversions, heroisms that recall the finest pages of the early Church.
Last year, the JOC studied and began its efforts to engage with the workplace. The results were unprecedented in terms of morality and religious life. The Easter campaign, and in particular the commemoration of Our Lord’s death on Good Friday at 3 a.m., stirred thousands of factories, workshops, construction sites, and offices.
This year the JOC is studying and implementing the conquest of the family environment. The number of working-class families influenced by the JOC’s apostolate, slowly being won back to their divine mission, is extraordinary.
The J.O.C.’s watchwords—conquering one’s own family, the family of its members, the family of young workers—translate into achievements whose significance cannot be overstated. Thousands of families, where the priest had been unable to penetrate, are converted, transformed by J.O.C. activists who work wonders through their helpfulness, politeness, thoughtfulness, and attentiveness. Even the most religiously resistant families cannot resist this conquest, inspired solely by charity. Our services for the sick and unemployed youth greatly contribute to this conquest. The methodical preparation for Christmas has ensured that thousands of working-class families have, for the first time this year, rejoiced with a joy previously unknown to them at the birth of the Christ Child.
These methods of secular conquest in the secular milieu hitherto most stubbornly closed to the Church are forming a laity that will shrink from no sacrifice to bring back to the Church the entire working class of the whole world.
I am going to Geneva to hold priestly meetings on the JOC’s methods of formation and apostolate. From Geneva I am coming to Rome where I hope to be on the 19th to give a lecture on the JOC at the Gregorian University.
It would be such a great joy if the Holy Father would deign to grant me a private audience during my stay in Rome. The encouragement that the Holy Father would be so kind as to convey to me for our activists could have a tremendous impact on the global expansion of the J.O.C.
At this moment when turmoil seems to be reaching its peak in the world, Providence has reserved a leading role for working-class youth. These young workers are ready to respond wholeheartedly to the Holy Father’s call. Catholic Action transformed their lives into such fruitful apostolic work that, in just a few years, the entire working class could be brought back to a Christian life under the guidance of the Church.
Most Holy Father,
With a view to winning back all the working youth of the world, the JOC members offer themselves to Your Holiness with all the fervour of their young hearts. No sacrifice can stop them. They are driven to every act of generosity.
Their chaplain general would be so happy to be able to convey to them once again the Pope’s blessing and encouragement.
Until the blessed moment when I can once again kneel at the feet of the Supreme Representative of Our Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to accept,
Most Holy Father,
with the expression of my unwavering gratitude, and the homage of the deepest respect with which I am Your Holiness
the humblest servant
Joseph Cardijn
General Chaplain of the J.O.C.
Brussels, December 28, 1935.
French original
J.O.C.
JEUNESSE OUVRIERE CHRETIENNE
79, BOULEVARD POINCARE BRUXELLES TÉL.: 21.00.35
CHÈQUES POSTAUX: 1059.63 BANQUE OUVRIERE DE BRUXELLES
A Sa Sainteté le Pape Pie XI
4494/35
Très Saint Père,
Humblement prosterné aux pieds de Votre Sainteté, j’ose présenter au Père Commun de tous les fidèles, l’hommage de piété filiale, de vénération enthousiaste, de soumission totale, de tous les aumôniers, de tous les militants et de tous les membres de la J.O.C.
En cette première année de la J.O.C. mondiale, ce nous est un devoir si doux de remercier Votre Sainteté de la bonté, de la confiance, de l’encouragement si précieux qu’Elle n’a cessé de manifester au mouvement jociste dès le début de son apostolat, et qu’Elle a renouvelé d’une façon si solennelle à l’occasion de notre congrès jubilaire. Le monde entier a tressailli en voyant la part si personnelle que le Saint Père daignait prendre à une solennité qui, par là même, allait revêtir un éclat si insoupçonné. On peut dire sans exagérer que la jeunesse ouvrière du monde entier a vibré à l’unisson de ce congrès et que dans tous les pays du monde des voix se sont élevées pour remercier le Pape de Sa sollicitude paternelle pour les jeunes travailleurs.
Aussi les espérances de reconquête de la masse des jeunes travailleurs au Christ et à l’Eglise dépassent-elles toute imagination et il ne paraît pas téméraire de prévoir dans un avenir prochain une transformation complète dans la vie et dans les moeurs des jeunes travailleurs.
Les miracles que l’Action Catholique, telle que le Saint Père la veut, opère parmi les jeunes travailleurs et les jeunes travailleuses, dans les familles ouvrières, dans les milieux de travail, dans les casernes, dans les hôpitaux et les sanatoria, sont vraiment déconcertants: on assiste à des scènes et à des conversions, à des héroismes qui rappellent les plus belles pages de la primitive Eglise.
L’année passée la JOC a étudié et entamé la conquête du milieu du travail. Les résultats ont été inouïs pour la moralité et la vie religieuse. La campagne pascale et en particulier la commémoration de la mort de Notre Seigneur le vendredi Saint à 3 heures ont remué des milliers d’usines, d’ateliers, de chantiers et de bureaux.
Cette année la JOC étudie et réalise la conquête du milieu familial. Le nombre de familles ouvrières influencées par l’apostolat jociste, lentement reconquises à leur mission divine est extraordinaire.
Les mots d’ordre de la J.O.C.: conquête de sa propre famille, de la famille de ses membres, de la famille des jeunes travailleurs; ces mots d’ordre se traduisent en des réalisations dont il est impossible d’exagérer la portée. Des milliers de familles où le prêtre n’avait pas pu pénétrer, sont converties, transformées par des militants jocistes qui y opèrent des merveilles par leur serviabilité, leur politesse, leurs prévenances et leurs attentions. Les familles les plus hostiles à la religion ne peuvent résister à cette conquête inspirée uniquement par la charité. Nos services de malades et de jeunes chômeurs nous aident beaucoup à cette conquête. La préparation méthodique de la fête de Noël a fait en sorte que des milliers de familles ouvrières ont pour la première fois cette année tressailli d’une allégresse jusqu’ici inconnue à la naissance de l’Enfant Dieu.
Ces méthodes de conquêtes laïques dans le milieu laïc jusqu’à présent le plus obstinément fermé à l’Eglise sont en train de former un laïcat qui ne reculera devant aucun sacrifice pour ramener à l’Eglise toute la classe ouvrière du monde entier.
Je vais à Genève tenir des réunions sacerdotales sur les methodes jocistes de formation et d’apostolat. De Genève je viens à Rome où j’espère être le 19 pour donner à l’Université Grégorienne une conférence sur la J.O.C.
Ce me serait un bonheur si grand si le Saint Père daignait m’accorder une audience privée pendant mon séjour à Rome. Les encouragements que le Saint Père voudra bien me transmettre pour nos militants peuvent avoir un retentissement formidable pour l’expansion mondiale de la J.O.C.
En ce moment où le désarroi semble atteindre son point culminant dans le monde, la Providence réserve à la jeunesse ouvrière un rôle d’avant-plan. Cette jeunesse ouvrière est prête à répondre sans réserve à l’appel du Saint Père. L’Action Catholique transforma sa vie en une vie d’apostolat tellement féconde qu’en peu d’années toute la classe ouvrière pourra être ramenée à une vie chrétienne sous la conduite de l’Eglise.
Très Saint Père,
En vue de cette reconquête de toute la jeunesse ouvrière du monde entier, les jocistes s’offrent à Votre Sainteté avec toute l’ardeur de leurs jeunes coeurs. Aucun sacrifice ne peut les arrêter. Ils sont entraînés à toutes les générosités.
Leur aumônier général serait si heureux de pouvoir leur transmettre une fois de plus la bénédiction et l’encouragement du Pape.
En attendant l’instant bénit où je pourrai de nouveau m’agenouiller aux pieds du Représentant Suprème de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ, je vous prie d’agréer,
Très Saint Père,
avec l’expression de mon inaltérable reconnaissance, l’hommage du plus profond respect avec lequel je suis de Votre Sainteté
Luigi Gedda’s report to Archbishop Pizzardo at the Holy Secretariat of State on the JOC Congress in Brussels on 25 August 1935.
English translation
The J.O.C. represents an embodiment of the so-called “specialised Catholic Action.” It develops two dominant themes: the apostolate of the environment and that of conquest.
The environmental apostolate corresponds to a truth that cannot be ignored for psychological and organisational reasons, declared by the Holy Father in the words of the encyclical: “The first apostles of the workers will be the workers themselves.” Catholic Action recognises the need to move from an abstract and imprecise conception of the apostolate to a concrete program, and this is achieved by drawing the organisation’s attention to the environment where Providence has placed it, which represents the natural framework for its apostolic activity. Therefore, the J.O.C. fulfills a true mission by declaring this principle and exemplifying, with its methods and materials, how this environmental penetration can be made effective.
On the other hand, the apostolate of the environment represents the means to conquer souls and not the end which is education in Christianity and that is to an essentially coordinating and uniting truth regardless of the social category the organised members belong to.
Therefore, observing the J.O.C. with the mentality of the A.C.I., while learning what advantages can be derived from a specialisation of the external apostolate, one also notes a weakness in that organisation. Conceived in a rigidly specialised form, it does not foster brotherhood between the various social classes except in theoretical affirmations. And because the A.J.C.B., which should connect the various branches, actually represents a model that concerns the organisation’s higher hierarchies and not the daily, formative life of its members.
It seems to the Italian observer that it is necessary to proceed hand in hand within Catholic Action between unity and specialisation and that organisational forms can be found that allow both the division of forces in the external environment and the unity of militants within the organisation, regardless of their social category.
The spirit of conquest is part of those ingenious apostolic approaches that abound in the J.O.C. which recalls, through conquest, the duty that falls on every member of Catholic Action to promote true action with the aim of extending the kingdom of Christ in souls.
Certainly useful for the numerical increase of the organisation, the spirit of conquest can be harmful when it reaches an excessive extent. For example, the conception of religious instruction that must be methodically imparted within Catholic Action, as an individual conquest of the truth (“We want them to conquer this truth by their personal efforts”), can lead to a fragmented formation devoid of organicity. For this reason, the following statements by Canon Cardijn do not seem entirely logical: “There is a second truth, to highlight among us: the doctrinal formation of our militants must be very profound. This formation must be done little by little, I hope that little by little it will also be done among the mass of our members. But it is especially not done through speeches, through lessons that we give and after which we could perhaps pass a brilliant exam but also we do not necessarily learn to live this doctrinal truth, to transpose it into our own life. A doctrinal truth is a truth to conquer.”
Studying the J.O.C. from a technical-organisational perspective, it becomes clear that the young organisation’s success is largely due to the organisational genius of Canon Cardijn, who possessed the gift of interpreting the psychology of the masses and winning them over with rapid and picturesque formulas, with a beautiful and effective print, with an external decorative ensemble that recalls the uniform and customs of Catholic scouts (shirt, cap, Jocist salute), and with the art of viewing and making others view the work environment from aesthetic and imaginative perspectives.
From a technical point of view, some negative elements can also be highlighted, such as those deriving from the non-correspondence of the organisational structure with the hierarchical order of the Church. The J.O.C. follows the procedure: section, region, nation, and not that of the A.C.I.: parish, diocese, nation. Hence the fact that the J.O.C. is more vulnerable because it is supported by people rather than by an institution which defies the centuries (1). and which, as in the A.C.I., can nominate responsible leaders. Furthermore, the open question of the relationship between the J.O.C. and the patronages is clearly of a parochial nature and is resolved by the J.O.C. in a rather theoretical way. (See the proceedings of the Semaine d’Etudes Internationale de la J.O.C. p. 21 et seq.). In reality, parish spirit requires an education that must be methodically imparted, and as such, not a diplomatic resolution, but the convergence and persistence of many formative means, beginning with the organisational structure. From this perspective, the A.C.I.’s approach seems preferable, both because it strengthens the parish community and because it possesses that unifying spirit among members of the various social classes that is a crucial characteristic of parish life.
The various initiatives taken in Brussels on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the J.O.C., the reports of Canon Cardijn, and the J.O.C. press, demonstrate a clear desire to achieve a worldwide organisation of the J.O.C. Concrete proposals for coordination through a Secretariat in Belgium are also presented, such as the one formulated in Brussels on 26 August, which was reported on at the time.
In reality, a permanent coordination of relations between the national organisations of Catholic Action Youth was recognised as appropriate on that occasion by the representatives of 10 nations and the need for it is made clear every day by numerous facts, as has also been reported.
However, it seems that placing these relationships under the aegis of the J.O.C. does not represent an ideal solution because this organisation is one of the possible solutions for Catholic Action among young people, appropriate in certain environments, less appropriate in others, and because the desired Secretariat must have a clearly supranational physiognomy and be clearly dependent on the Holy See.
Gedda
(1) See attached sheet
Italian original
La J.O.C.rappresenta una realizzazione della cosidetta “Azione Cattolica specializzata”. Essa sviluppa due motivi dominanti quello dell’apostolato dell’ambiente e quello della conquista.
L’apostolato dell’ambiente corrisponde a una verità da cui non si può prescindere per motivi psicologici e organizzativi dichiarata dal Santo Padre con le parole dell’enciclica: “I primi apostoli degli operai saranno gli operai medesimi”. Si nota in Azione Cattolica la necessità di passare da una concezione astratta e imprecisa dell’apostolato, ad un programma concreto e questo si ottiene richiamando l’attenzione dell’organizzato sull’ambiente dove la Provvidenza lo ha posto e che rappresenta il quadro naturale della sua attività apostolica. Perciò la J.O.C. compie una vera missione dichiarando questo principio ed esemplificando con i suoi metodi ed il suo materiale come si possa rendere efficace tale penetrazione nell’ambiente.
D’altra parte, l’apostolato dell’ ambiente rappresenta il mezzo per conquistare le anime e non il fine che è l’educazione al cristianesimo è cioè ad una verità essenzialmente coordinatrice e unitiva a qualunque categoria sociale gli organizzati appartengano.
Perciò, osservando la J.O.C. con la mentalità dell’A.C.I. mentre si impara quali vantaggi possano essere ricavati da una specializzazione dell’apostolato esterno, si rileva anche una debolezza in quella organizzazione per il fatto che, concepita in forma rigidamente specializzata, non provoca l’affratellamento delle varie classi sociali se non in affermazioni teoriche e per il fatto che l’A.J.C.B., la quale dovrebbe collegare i vari rami, rappresenta, in realtà, uno schema che riguarda le alte gerarchie della organizzazione e non la vita quotidiana formatrice degli organizzati.
Sembra, all’osservatore italiano, che sia necessario procedere di pari passo in Azione Cattolica l’unità e la specializzazione e che si possano trovare forme organizzative tali da permettere nel tempo stesso la divisione delle forze nell’ambiente esterno e l’unità dei militanti nell’interno dell’organizzazione a qualunque categoria sociale essi appartengano.
Lo spirito di conquista fa parte di quelle geniali impostazioni di apostolato di cui è ricca la J.O.C. la quale richiama, attraverso la conquista, il dovere che incombe a ogni membro dell’Azione Cattolica di promuovere una vera azione con lo scopo di estendere il regno di Cristo nelle anime.
Certamente utile per l’incremento numerico dell’organizzazione, lo spirito di conquista può essere dannoso quando raggiunga un’estensione soverchia. Per esempio, la concezione dell’istruzione religiosa che deve essere metodicamente impartita in seno all’Azione Cattolica, come una conquista individuale della verità (“Nous voulons qu’ils conquièrent cette vérité par leurs efforts personnels”), può condurre ad una formazione frammentaria priva di organicità. Per questo motivo non sembrano del tutto logiche le seguenti affermazioni del Canonico Cardijn: “Il y a une seconde vérité, à mettre en lumière chez nous: la formation doctrinal de nos militants doit etre très profonde. Cette formation doit se faire petit à petit, j’espère que petit à petit elle se fera également dans la masse de nos membres. Mais elle ne se fait surtout pas par des discours, par des leçons qu’on donne et après lesquelles on pourrait peut-etre passer un brillant examen mais aussi on n’apprend pas nécessairement à vivre cette vérité doctrinale, à la transposer dans sa propre vie. Une vérité doctrinale est une vérité à conquérir.”
Studiando la J.O.C. da un punto di vista tecnico-organizzativo si rileva come il successo della giovane organizzazione si debba in gran parte al genio organizzativo del Can. Cardijn il quale possiede il dono di interpretare la psicologia delle masse e di conquistarle con formule rapide e pittoresche, con una stampa bella ed efficace, con un insieme decorativo esterno che richiama la divisa e le usanze degli esploratori cattolici (camicia, berretto, saluto jocista) e con l’arte di guardare e far guardare all’ambiente lavorativo con prospettive estetiche e fantasiose.
Da un punto di vista tecnico, si rilevano anche degli elementi negativi come quelli dipendenti dalla non corrispondenza della struttura organizzativa con l’ordinamento gerarchico della Chiesa. La J.O.C. segue la trafila: sezione, regione, nazione, e non quella dell’A.C.I.: parrocchia, diocesi, nazione. Da ciò il fatto che la J.O.C. è più vulnerabile perchè appoggiata alle persone più che a un’istituzione la quale sfida i secoli (1). e che, come nell’A.C.I., può nominarne i dirigenti responsabili. Inoltre la questione aperta dei rapporti fra la J.O.C. e i patronati è nettamente a sfondo parrocchiale e viene risolta dalla J.O.C. in modo piuttosto teorico.(V. gli atti della Semaine d’Etudes Internationale de la J.O.C. p.21 e segg.). In realtà, lospirito parrocchiale richiede un’educazione che deve essere metodicamente impartita e come tale non una risoluzione diplomatica, ma il convergere e l’insistere di molti mezzi formativi, incominciando dalla struttura dell’organizzazione. Da questo punto di vista, sembra preferibile quella dell’A.C.I. sia perchè consolida la collettività parrocchiale, sia perchè possiede quello spirito unitivo fra gli appartenenti alle varie categorie sociali, che è una caratteristica importantissima della vita parrocchiale.
Le varie iniziative prese a Bruxelles in occasion del decennale della J.O.C., i rapporti del Can. Cardijn, la stampa della J.O.C., mostrano un chiaro desiderio di giungere ad una organizzazione mondiale della J.O.C. Vengono anche presentate proposte concrete di coordinamento attraverso un Segretariato nel Belgio come quella formulata a Bruxelles in data 26 Agosto e di cui fu riferito a suo tempo.
In realtà una coordinazione permanente dei rapporti tra le organizzazioni nazionali della Gioventù di Azione Cattolica è stata riconosciuta opportuna in quella circostanza dai rappresentanti di 10 Nazioni e la necessità di essa si rende ogni giorno palese attraverso numerosi dati di fatto come anche fu riferito.
Però sembra che una sistemazione di questi rapporti sotto l’egida della J.O.C. non rappresenti una soluzione ideale perchè questa organizzazione è una delle soluzioni possibili per l’Azione Cattolica giovanile opportuna in determinati ambienti, meno opportuna in altri, e perchè occorre che l’auspicato Segretariato possegga una fisionomia nettamente supernazionale ed in chiara dipendenza dalla Santa Sede.
PERSONAL and CONFIDENTIAL NOTE on the organization of the J.O.C.of Belgium.
1076/36
I sent a short report of the J.O.C. Congress to the Superior Eminence.
I have refrained from many details and descriptions, which could be read, more or less amplified, in the newspapers.
I then received your personal letter regarding the Congress and, having had the pleasure of receiving a visit from the excellent Professor Gedda, I confided my impressions to him: they coincided with his and he will have reported them to you.
This congress was the glorification of Belgian Jocism and of Can. Carijn, the first presented as the model of such organisations and the second as the father, the founder actor, as the one who embodies the Jocist idea. It would seem that anyone, without distinction, intending to work in this field could not do without the Canon’s enlightenment and lessons.
The tendency to impose his methods and systems on everyone’s admiration and, above all, imitation was evident. The Congress seemed destined to reinforce this idea, placing before the eyes of all those present the flattering results he had obtained, results in which, however, there is much that is superficial.
From this to the thought that Belgian Jocism is the one on which young workers’ organisations must model themselves. Generally speaking, it’s a short step. And yet the idea was in the air that Belgium, with its Canon, was—and should be—the center of Jocism, the natural seat from which directives and advice would emanate. The Canon was naively favoured in all this by the presence, and even more so by the speeches, expressing boundless admiration and praise, delivered by august guests and by the Cardinal of Mechelen himself.
The Most Reverend Patriarch of Lisbon compared Canon Cardijn and Belgian Jocism to the star of the Magi announcing a new era, etc. The impression I echo is general. I have heard it from many quarters. Some disapprove of this trend—they are the ones who reflect—because they think that directives, advice, and instructions regarding everything concerning Catholic Action must come from Rome, while the Bishops, in their dioceses, also have their say.
Others, however, praise the Canon’s aspirations, which they already consider a given and are proud of since it is Belgium that teaches.
As for the very correct advice you gave to the Canon, which I also repeated to him, to avoid, as much as possible, giving the J.O.C. the appearance of a class organisation, the impression one gained from the day, and especially from the so-called spoken chorus as a whole, which you will have read, is quite different. And here too I echo many of those present. It is enough to read some of the chorus’s expressions.
The Belgian Bishops were invited to the ceremonies, but their role was purely decorative. In the speeches—the two actual speeches delivered all day were those of the Cardinal and Canon Cardijn at the Stadium—not the slightest mention of them was made.
In his closing speech, the Canon, after a few words of homage to the Holy Father and some compliments to the other Cardinals, was only concerned with the Cardinal of Malines, and in such a warm manner that it created a real contrast with what he, between two walls, repeated about the lack of direction, the apathy that he encountered in his Superior.
His speech was supposed to be a hymn of gratitude to the Pope, and the Assembly was supposed to close with the sending of a warm telegram to the August Pontiff.
As for the Nuncio, he was completely relegated to the crowd of mitred Bishops and Abbots. As a true Belgian, the Canon only comes to the Nunciature when and if needed.
You will give all these things the attention they deserve. I tell you in complete confidentiality and because in conscience I would reproach myself for not having told you. You will see if this isn’t the case—and it seems to me that it is the case to let Canon Cardijn know that he must concern himself with Belgian Jocism and only with it, and that he must do so in obedience, in close union with the entire Episcopate, and that he must take every serious care not to turn it into a class organisation.
I say this because this Congress has also revealed, in my opinion, another danger, previously unnoticed because latent, but which must be kept in mind. I mean a kind of excessive centralisation of the movement’s organisation and direction, in the hands of a General Aumônier, with offices and residence in Brussels and who, in effect, reports almost exclusively to the Cardinal of Mechelen, to the detriment of the direct action and personal direction of the Bishops, even in matters that, according to the norms of the Catholic Church, are the responsibility of the Ordinaries.
SOURCE
Belgio 193
Italian original
COPIA.
Bruxelles, 26 Agosto Agosto 1935.
NOTA PERSONALE e CONFIDENZIALE sull’organizzazione della J.O.C. del Belgio.
1076/36
Ho diretto all’Emo Superiore un rapporto, breve, del Congresso della J.O.C.
Mi sono astenuto da molti dettagli e descrizioni, che si potevano leggere, più o meno amplificati, nei giornali.
Ho, poi, ricevuto la tua lettera personale relativa al Congresso e, avendo avuto il piacere di ricevere la visita dell’ottimo Prof. Gedda, ho confidato a lui le mie impressioni: esse collimavano con le sue ed egli tele avrà riferite.
Questo congresso è stato la glorificazione del Jocismo belga e del Can. Carijn, presentato il primo come il modello delle organizzazioni del genere ed il secondo come il padre, il fondatore, come colui che incarna l’idea jocista. Si sarebbe detto che chiunque, senza distinzione, intende lavorare in quasto campo, non possa fare a meno dei lumi, delle lezioni del Canonico.
La tendenza a imporre i metodi, i sistemi di questi all’ammirazione e, sopratutto, all’imitazione di tutti, era manifesta.Il Congresso sembrava dovesse servire a rafforzare quest’idea, mettendo sotto gli occhi di tutti gli intervenuti i lusinghieri risultati ottenuti da lui, risultati nei quali, peraltro, vi è molto di apparente.
Da cio’ al pensiero che il Jocismo belga sia quello sul quale debbono modellarsi le organizzazioni della gioventù operaia in genere, il passo è breve. E pure nell’aria si sentiva l’idea che il Belgio, col suo Canonico, sia – dovrebbe essere – il centro del jocismo, la sede naturale, da dove partirebbero direttive e consigli. Il Can.co fu ingenuamente favorito in tutto cio’ dalla presenza e, molto più, dai di scorsi, esprimenti un’ammirazione ed elogi senza limiti, pronunziati da Ospiti augusti e dallo stesso Cardinale di Malines.
L’Emo Patriarca di Lisbona comparo’ il Can. Cardijn e il Jocismo belga alla stella dei Magi che annunziava una nuova era ecc. L’impressione di cui mi faccio eco, è generale. L’ho intesa da tante parti. Alcuni disapprovano questa tendenza – sono quelli che riflettono – perché pensano che direttive, consigli, istruzioni circa tutto quanto riguarda l’A.C. deve venire da Roma, mentre poi anche i Vescovi, nelle loro Diocesi, avrebbero la loro parola da dire.
Altri invece, magnificano le aspirazioni del Canonico, che considerano già come un fatto acquisito e ne vanno fieri poiché è il Belgio che insegna.
Quanto poi al consiglio – giustissimo – da te dato al Can.co e che pure io gli ho ripe tuto, di evitare cioè quanto è possibile di dare alla J.O.C. la fisionomia di un’organizzazione di classe, l’impressione che si riportava dalla giornata e sopratutto dal- l’insieme del cosidetto coro parlato, che tu avrai letto, è tutt’al- tra. – E anche qui mi faccio eco di non pochi presenti. Basta leggere alcune espressioni del coro.
L’Episcopa to belga fu invitato alle cerimonie, ma vi ebbe una parte puramente decorativa. Nei discorsi – i due veri discorsi che furono pronunziati in tutta la giornata furono quelli del Cardinale e del Can.co Cardijn allo Stadio – di esso non si è fatto il minimo cenno.
Nel suo discorso che fu quello di chiusura, il Can.co, dopo alcune parole di omaggio al S. Padre e qualche complimento agli al- tri Cardinali, non si preoccupo’ che dell’Emo Cardinale di Malines, e in maniera talmente calorosa, che faceva un vero contras to con quanto egli, tra due pareti, ripete circa l’assenza di direzione,l’apatia che incontra nel suo Superiore.
Il suo discorso avrebbe dovuto essere un inno di riconoscenza al Papa, e l’Assemblea avrebbe dovuto chiudersi con l’invio di un caldo telegramma all’Augusto Pontefice.
Quanto al Nunzio, esso fu completamente relegato nella massa dei Vescovi e Abati mitrati. Da buon belga il Can.co viene in Nunziatura soltanto se e quando ha bisogno.
Di tutte queste cose tu farai il caso che meritano. Te le dico in forma del tutto confidenziale e perché in coscienza mi rimprovererei di non avertele dette.Tu vedrai se non sia il caso – e mi sembra che sia il caso di far sapere al Can.co Cardijn di occuparsi del Jocismo belga e soltanto di esso, e cio’ in obbedienza, in stretta unione con tutto l’Episcopato, e che metta seriamente ogni cura per non fare di esso un’organizzazione di classe.
Dico cio’ perché questo Congresso ha rivelato anche, a mio senso, un altro pericolo, non avvertito finora perché latente, al quale pero’ si deve aver l’occhio. Voglio dire una specie di eccessiva centralizzazione dell’organizzazione e della direzione del movimento, nelle mani di un Aumônier generale, con uffici e residenza a Bruxelles e che dipende, di fatto, quasi esclusivamente dal Cardinale di Malines, a scapito della dikazionex azione diretta e della direzione personale dei Vescovi, e cio’ anche in cose che, secondo le norme dell’ A.C., sono di competenza degli Ordinari.
Aumônier-Conseil: Mgr. le Dr. J. H. E. J. Hoogveld
MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DES JEUNES:
Présidente: Mademoiselle Chr. de Hemptinne.
Vice-Présidente: Miss J. Bridges.
Secrétaire: Mademoiselle M. Henrard.
Mademoiselle A, Barelli.
Mademoiselle A. de Doria Dernalowicz.
Mademoiselle F. de Saint Maurice.
Mademoiselle J. Handler.
Mademoiselle M. Nicolas.
Gand, 19-8-1935.
N°. 3114/35.
Excellence,
A Son Excellence Monseigneur Pizzardo.
Archevêque tit. de Nicée.
Cité du VATICAN.
Je me permets d’envoyer à Votre Excellence, un parmi les nombreux articles préparatoires au congrès de la J.O.C.
Je me réjouis beaucoup de tout ceci. Cependant, il me semble que l’on emploie, d’une façon si absolue, si générale, et en faisant tant de bruit, certaines paroles du Cardinal Pacelli, que je crois devoir le signaler.
Votre Excellence m’avait dit oralement que le sens de la phrase s’attachait plutôt aux “méthodes” qu’à “l’organisation”. Ici on pense que c’est tout le type d’ organisation par classe, qu’on a approuvé en bloc, et de façon générale. Je sais que Son Eminence le Cardinal Van Roey a été très impressionné de ceci. Je me demande s’il n’y aurait pas lieu d’avertir son Eminence au sujet de cette nuance, que votre Excellence m’avait donnée oralement, et de l’importance, malgré tout, que l’on attache au mouvement unitaire, à lignes diocésaines.
Excusez moi de cette démarche. Je ne la fais qu’en vue du bien de l’ensemble, et Votre Excellence jugera si elle est opportune ou non.
Veuillez agréer, Excellence, l’expression de mes sentiments très respectueux..
I am forwarding the letter addressed to you by Miss Cristina de Hemptinne.
As for Father Dabain (sic), S.J., I believe he should be encouraged to write the book he plans. I know his abilities well, but I think that in any case, he will make an attempt that others can take up and complete, also making use of what he has published. Regarding the indulgences granted in Italy to Catholic Action demonstrations, I believe their extension to Belgium would be a great pleasure. I would suggest that this should be done upon request from the Bishops to the Holy See. If they do not consider it, and if it is certain that the request will be favorably received, I could suggest that Cardinal de Mechelen submit the request.
The situation of the GIRL GUIDES vis-à-vis the A.C.J.B.F., as well as a draft of Statutes for the priest chaplains of the same Association, will be discussed at the Episcopal Conferences taking place tomorrow in Mechelen, and I will not fail to keep you informed of the measures the Episcopate will take.
Another question arises very often: that of the faculties for priests who, by order of their bishop, accompany pilgrimages. Some general provision on this point would be greatly appreciated.
Probably Archbishop Micara to Pizzardo, undated but mid-1935
Canon Joseph Van Der Meersch, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bruges (Belgian College), together with Rev. Dubois, Aumonier Général of Catholic Action in the same diocese of Bruges, would like to speak to the Holy Father about how their bishop intends to organise Catholic Action in the diocese of Bruges and request a blessing for the Federation of Catholic Men that is being organised. Monsignor Pizzardo fears that their organizational style, however excellent, could weaken the large Central Organisation, especially the JOC of Fr Cardijn.
Original Italian
Le Chanoine JOSEPH VAN DER MEERSCH, Vicario Generale della Diocesi di Bruges Collegio Belga) insieme col Rev. Dubois, Aumonier Général de l’Action Catholique nella stessa diocesi di Bruges, vorrebbero parlare al Santo Padre del modo con cui il loro Vescovo vorrebbe organizzare l’Azione Cattolica nella diocesi di Bruges e chiedere una Benedizione per la Federazione Uomini Cattolici che si sta organizzando.
Monsignor Pizzardo teme he il loro modo di organizzare, anche ottimo, possa indebolire la grande Organizzazione Centrale, specialmente la JOC de l’Abbé Cardijn.
Note à la main: Az. Catt. Belgio: schiarimenti vicle? est de l’Abbé Cardijn
Le résumé d’un document de Mgr. Zanin publié par L’ “OSSERVATORE ROMANO” a été fourni par l’Agence “Fides”.
Quoiqu’il en soit:
1.- Le terme “apostolat laïque” n’est pas exact et peut donner lieu à des confusions.
Le Saint Père n’accorde le nom d’Action Catholique aux activités des laïques qui ne soient pas sous la stricte dépendance de la Hiérarchie, et ce pour éviter un laïcisme protestant.
La définition exacte de l’Action Catholique est: “participation à l’apostolat hiérarchique”.
2. Le but direct de l’Action Catholique est celui de l’apostolat hiérarchique, c’est-à-dire le salut des âmes.
Par conséquent ce qu’on lit dans le Numero d’Avril de la J.E.C.F. n’est pas exact.
“Pour une jeune fille de la bourgeoisie, de l’aristocratie, des classes moyennes, s’occuper d’oeuvres, d’enfants, de pauvres, de jeunes filles, fussent-elles Jacistes ou Jocistes, c’est accomplir une bonne oeuvre, CE N’EST PAS DE L’ACTION CATHOLIQUE!
“Pourquoi? parce que le but de l’Action Catholique est “essentiellement, et avant tout: l’action dans “son milieu” “.
