39_anno20_num2_0349-0376


39_anno20_num2_0349-0376



1 Pages 1-10

▲back to top


1.1 Page 1

▲back to top


NOTE
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PARISH SALESIAN MINISTRY
IN YBOR CITY AND WEST TAMPA (FLORIDA-USA): 1926-1935
Philip J. Pascucci
Introduction
The earliest Salesian works in the State of Florida were the Parish of
Our Lady of Mercy, with its Mission Church of Holy Name, both in Ybor
City, which was in the eastern part of the City of Tampa, and St. Joseph
Parish in West Tampa. Both Our Lady of Mercy and St. Joseph Parishes had
principally Spanish people, mainly cuban, while the Holy Name Mission
church was for the Italians.
Before taking up the story of the Salesian work in those parishes, it
seems worthwhile to know something about the city of Tampa itself, and also
about the actual social and religious situation in Ybor City and West Tampa
during those years. A better understanding will more likely then be gained of
the difficulties and frustrations which challenged the various priests who la-
bored in that milieu.
1. The situation
1.1. The city of Tampa
Tampa is in western Florida. It is the seat of Hillsborough county and is
170 miles (274 km) southwest of Jacksonville. Tampa was chartered by the
state legislature in 1885. It is governed by a mayor and board of city repre-
sentatives consisting of 12 members.
Since Tampa is situated at the mouth of the Hillsborough River on
Tampa Bay, it is a port of entry and the trade center for Florida’s west coast.
Tampa is also one of the most industrialized cities in the state. Citrus canning
and the shrimp industry are important, and the city is a leading phosphate
shipping Port.

1.2 Page 2

▲back to top


350 Philip J. Pascucci
Products manufactured in Tampa include fabricated steel, electronic
equipment, cigars, beer, paint and fertilizers.
Tampa is the seat of MacDill Air Force Base. The Tampa Bay Bucca-
neers of the National Football League play at Tampa Stadium. Educational fa-
cilities include the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.
The latter was founded in 1931. It has a building of Moorish design beauti-
fully situated in Plant Park. The University houses the Tampa Museum, which
contains a fine collection of Venetian mirrors among its rare art objects.
Historically, Ponce de Leon visited the site of Tampa in 1521. He
was followed by Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528 and Hernando de Soto in 1539.
The real settlement of the site was made on March 5, 1823, when four com-
panies of United States troops sailed into Tampa Bay from Pensacola and
established the military post of Fort Brooke. Later the settlement was called
by the Indian name of Tampa. In 1862, during the American Civil War, Union
gunboats occupied the port. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War,
the port was used as the embarkation point for United States troops en route
to cuba. When the Panama Canal opened in 1920, seaborne traffic received
a great impetus.
The population of Tampa in 1930, when the Salesians served the two
parishes, was 101,161. In 1990 the population was 280,0151.
1.2. The Church in Ybor City
That part of Florida east of the Apalachicola River was erected by Pope
Pius IX into a Vicariate Apostolic in the year 1857, and in 1870 into the Dio-
cese of St. Augustine. The City of Tampa was in this new Diocese.
During the years 1887-1888 an outbreak of yellow fever ravaged the
Tampa area. The deadly disease decimated the priestly ranks, killing three
priests. Bishop John Moore, the ordinary of the Diocese of St. Augustine,
then searched frantically for replacements. He wrote to Rev. John O’Shanahan,
Superior of the Jesuits in Louisiana for help. It soon arrived in the person of
Father Philip de Carriere. His diligent work among the fever victims
prompted Bishop Moore to request the Jesuits to take responsibility for the
spiritual health of all South Florida. They agreed. Father John B. Quinlan was
sent late in 1889 to serve as pastor, while the Spanish-speaking Father de Car-
riere was his assistant. These two priests built the first Catholic church in
Ybor City, Our Lady of Mercy, in 1890. Thus began the first serious efforts to
minister to a fast growing flock.
1 “Tampa”, The Encyclopedia Americana. N. Y., International Edition Americana Cor-
poration 1969, vol. 26, p. 238, and 1996, Vol. 26, p. 253.

1.3 Page 3

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 351
Early in 1890, Father Quinlan wrote to Bishop Moore his assessment of
the task he faced:
“The Catholics of Tampa [meaning St. Louis Parish in downtown
Tampa] are fervent, attend church regularly and approach the sacraments
frequently […]. Besides these, there are 2,500 Cubans in Ybor City, all
professing the Catholic religion; but, in general, they are not practicing
Catholics” .
In addition to the Cubans, Father Quinlan mentioned that Italian and
Spanish Catholics resided in Ybor City and “already formed the nucleus of a
congregation [which was] daily increasing”. Not for a long time to come
would a Catholic priest again speak so optimistically of possibilities for the
Church in Ybor City.
Unfortunately, the church had, in part, compromised its position with the
community by accepting donations from wealthy Spanish factory owners for
the erection of Our Lady of Mercy church, even though it was a simple frame
structure. This fact rankled the patriotic Cubans, who viewed the Catholic
Church and the colonial Spanish government as twin oppressors of their
homeland 2.
1.3. The builder
In 1892, an energetic young Jesuit, Father William Tyrrell, came to Ybor
City to replace Father Quinlan. He worked with such vigor that amazed even
his detractors. He soon earned the name “Tyrrell the Builder” for his success in
building churches, missions, and schools. But these accomplishments were not
matched in building loyal congregations. There was enormous indifference to-
ward religion and the church, accompanied by great ignorance of its teachings.
Father Tyrrell obtained the services of two Italian-speaking priests, Father
Archille Vasta in 1896 and Father John A. DiPietro in 1903. Father Tyrrell be-
lieved that real progress was possible. However, in 1905, Father DiPietro wrote
to Bishop William J. Kenny of St. Augustine, decrying the “slanders against
the Catholic clergy and the Catholic Church circulating in Ybor City”.
By 1911 not much had changed. In a plaintive letter to the bishop, Fa-
ther Tyrrell asked,
“Can anything be done to save so many of the Cuban and Sicilian and
Italian population of this place, who are so indifferent about all religious
practices? There have been devoted, good, and zealous priests and
2 Gary R. MORMINO - George E. POZZETTA, The immigrant world of Ybor City: Italians
and Their Latin Neighbors in Tampa, 1885-1985. Urbana and Chicago, IL. University of Illi-
nois Press, pp. 210-211, passim.

1.4 Page 4

▲back to top


352 Philip J. Pascucci
Sisters working here for years, and yet it is hard to see the fruit of their
labors”.
Father Tyrrell estimated that there were 4,520 Sicilians living within 46
blocks, and that in other sections the Cubans and Spaniards were more nu-
merous, thus bringing the total to about 10,000 souls who should be faithful
members of the true fold, for they were baptized Catholics. Father Tyrrell
carefully used the terms “Sicilian” and “Italian”, “Cuban” and “Spanish” to
distinguish the different identities in Ybor City.
Unfortunately, by 1920 it was clear that almost nothing had changed, as
Father Tyrrell lamented in a letter to the bishop:
“As this mission has no defined limits and has a moving population of
Cubans, Spaniards, Italians and Sicilians who never come to church (not
3 percent of them), and most of them have no respect for religion or
priests, and many will not have their children baptized and many are mar-
ried outside the Church, it is very hard to say how many are Catholic”3.
1.4. Bishop Curley, Father Dente and the Italian question
Bishop Michael J. Curley was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of St.
Augustine in 1914, and he remained until August 10, 1921, at which time he
was promoted to the See of Baltimore. As a new generation of Italians came
of age in the 1920’s, hope stirred that perhaps the futility of past efforts could
be reversed. Bishop Curley authorized the creation of an Italian parish and
appointed an Italian-speaking pastor, Father Vincent M. Dente, S. J. A furor
erupted when Father Dente, to expedite matters, acquired land in his own
name so as to build the church, and his immediate superior in Tampa, Father
S. Farrell, S. J., demanded that Bishop Curley remove Father Dente for vio-
lating his vow of poverty. After bitter letters among different persons, Father
Dente was exonerated and remained4.
On November 7, 1920, Bishop Curley5 delivered a speech in the Church
of the Sacred Heart, Tampa, Florida. That speech concerned the so-called
“Italian Question”. Here are a few sentences from it:
“They [Italian mothers] appreciate the dignity of motherhood. Their chil-
dren are amongst the brightest in the schools of the land. They are fast
3 Ibid., pp. 212-214, passim.
4 Ibid., p. 215.
5 Michael J. Curley was born in Ireland in 1879. He was ordained on March 19, 1904.
He was the Bishop of St. Augustine from 1914 to 1921, and was Archbishop of Baltimore from
1921 to 1939; the title was later changed to Archbishop of Baltimore and Washington in 1939.
Bishop Curely died in 1947. Cf 1991 Catholic Almanac, our Sunday Visitor, Inc., Huntington,
IN.; cf also New Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4, pp. 541-542.

1.5 Page 5

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 353
forging ahead in our social life, occupying today high places in profes-
sions and in every walk of life.
Money is being spent in vast sums to protestantize a splendid people.
Fifty years from now, if not before, the Italian element will be the most
important element in our American population. What of their Catholic
faith? If we are not up and doing, we shall see the sad spectacle of mil-
lions of them lost to the See of Peter, to the religion of Jesus Christ.
What have we done for them? We have criticized them. We have written
about them as problems, not as souls redeemed by the precious blood of
the God-Man. We have allowed prejudice to blind us to the need of
caring for their souls.
Here in Tampa I want to see something done for the preservation of the
religion of our Italians. Amongst them are some of the best Catholics of
the city. Let us in God’s name take an interest in this work. Let us cease
our destructive criticism. Let us do something worthwhile for the sake of
the souls of the poor of our Italian colony in Tampa”6.
The Jesuit. Father Vincent Dente, as noted previously, was working and
living in the midst of the Italian population. On November 15, 1920, a week
after the above speech, Bishop Curley wrote a letter to Father Dente. In it he
gave Father Dente some instructions. Here are a few quotes from that letter:
“Practically nothing has been done for the large colony of ten thousand
souls of that nationality [Italians]. The patent result is that very many are
losing their faith, drawn from it by the constant activities of prosely-
tizing agencies. These latter are at work amongst our people whilst we
waste our time in foolish criticism. We must take action at once, or else
be guilty before God of a great neglect.
I place upon your shoulders the responsibility for this particular work in
the city of Tampa. When it is a question of your doing work in the spiri-
tual welfare of the Italians, there will be no parish limits. You may re-
gard the whole city as your especial field in this line of work.
Working along prudent lines, you will endeavor to raise funds to pur-
chase a site for a new Italian parish church, where our Italian people can
feel at home, where they will hear their own sweet tongue used as the
medium of giving them God’s word. The beginnings may have to be
humble. You will need all the patience you can muster.
It would be well to look forward to the establishment of a settlement
house, where care can be taken of the needy and poor, where the little
ones can find a centre of clean recreation, where aid can be given the
poor mothers and where the church can give evidence that she is inter-
ested in the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare of her children.
You are hereby given permission to solicit funds from any and all quar-
ters towards the carrying on of this work. It is essentially God’s work.
6 Archives of the Province of St. Philip the Apostle, New Rochelle, N. Y., Tampa-Ybor
City, Fl., Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 1. (Hereafter cited as Archives, Our Lady of Mercy
Parish).

1.6 Page 6

▲back to top


354 Philip J. Pascucci
Tampa has many needs. But she has none greater than this.
As proof of my good will in this matter, I am sending you a check for
five hundred dollars. This you will deposit in the bank in the name of
your new organization. Call it “The Catholic Italian Welfare Organiza-
tion”. I leave the naming of it to yourself and your committee. There are
no finer people in the city than the little group I met at the Italian Club. I
am really proud of them”7.
As mentioned above, Bishop Curley was promoted to the see of Balti-
more on August 10, 1921, but before he left the Diocese of St. Augustine, he
wrote another long letter to Father Dente, dated August 15, 1921. In it the
Bishop shows his great concern for the italian Catholics of Tampa. Here are
some sentences from that letter:
“The Italians are there [in Tampa] in their thousands and for them
nothing has been done in the past, and little is being done now in the
only matter that really matters – the care of their souls. The thousands
there now, represent millions in the years to be. If nothing is done for
those who are with us now, what about the future generations?
To my successor I leave it as a last request that the work already begun
in a humble way be carried on. I deem it essential that a separate Italian
parish should be established for the members of the Italian colony, with
their own church and pastor speaking their own language.
Hence, I fully favor and approve an Italian parish, the introduction of
Italian Sisters, the conducting of a day nursery, and all such works as are
calculated to bring the dear, poor, neglected people nearer to their God
and their faith.
Let us have no discussions about the Italians or the so-called Italian
question. Let us do something for them and their little ones, future
American citizens. For your zeal in their behalf, I have nothing but the
highest praise. I know the difficulty of the work. I am aware of its
seeming hopelessness at times. But we must not grow weary in the doing
of good. To the little ones particularly we must go out in loving zeal.
They are very precious in the eyes of God.
My interest in the welfare of the people of this diocese is not going to
die when I shall leave here, and nothing would give me greater pleasure
than to return sometime to address a congregation of Italians in a neat
little church in Ybor City”8.
When the furor mentioned above concerning Father Dente subsided, he
renewed his efforts to find the necessary funds to complete the church building
for the Italians. The new parish was called Most Holy Name. The first Mass
was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1922, perhaps hoping that the selection of
the birth of Jesus would provide extra blessings. Ironically, the church stood
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.

1.7 Page 7

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 355
within sight of its two great rivals, the Labor Temple and the Italian Club. To
the expectation of its critics and the consternation of its benefactors, Most
Holy Name never attracted more than a few hundred Italians and languished in
financial difficulty. A 1934 survey estimated that of 437 members in the parish
register, only 115 were active, almost all of them women9.
2. The Salesians at Tampa
The Jesuits returned the three churches – Our Lady of Mercy, Most Holy
Name, and St. Joseph – to the Diocese of St. Augustine in 1926.
It so happened that in 1926, the Salesian Provincial, Father Emanuel
Manassero10, met with Bishop Patrick Barry11, who, at that time, was the or-
dinary of the Diocese of St. Augustine, in order to consult with him about the
possibility of opening Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa. It was
during those negotiations that Bishop Barry, upon the suggestion of the Jesuit
Superior in Tampa, requested the Salesians to take care of the churches which
the Jesuits had relinquished.
To that request the following letter dated February 27, 1926, was sent
to Bishop Patrick Barry:
“Our Provincial, Very Rev. Father Manassero has written me from Turin,
Italy, asking that I inform you that our superiors have decided to accept
the proposals made for our work in Tampa, Florida. Father Manassero is
expected to return in March and will then take the matter up directly.
Thanking you for your kind interest in our work and asking your
blessing on our Community, I remain
Respectfully in Christ,
Rev. Thomas J. DeMatei, S. C. Sec.”12.
9 G. R. MORMINO - G. E. POZZETTA, The immigrant world…, p. 216.
10 Emanul Manassero was born in Benevagienna (Cuneo, Italy), on September 13, 1873.
In August, 1885, he entered the Oratory in Turin. There he came to be known by Don Bosco, to
whom Emanuel went for the Sacrament of Penance. Don Rua admitted him to the novitiate in
September, 1888, and on October 11 of the following year Don Rua received his perpetual pro-
fession. Emanuel Manassero was ordained a priest on Holy Saturday, April 4, 1896. From 1919
to 1927 he was Provincial of the United States. It was during his term of office that the San
Francisco Province came into being in 1926. Father Manassero saw to the construction of
the Church of SS. Peter and Paul in San Francisco. After a number of additional assigments,
he retired to Sacro Cuore Parish, Rome, and after suffering much from a stroke, he died on
May 29, 1946, at the age of 73. Cf the obituary letter for Father Emanuel Manassero.
11 Patrick J. Barry was born in Ireland in 1868. He was ordained on June 9, 1895. He was
appointed Bishop of St. Augustine in 1922, and died there in 1940. Cf 1991 Catholic Almanac.
12 Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine. A xeroxed copy is in the Archives of the
Province of New Rochelle, N. Y., Tampa, Ybor City, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 21.

1.8 Page 8

▲back to top


356 Philip J. Pascucci
On August 2, 1926, Father Manassero wrote to Bishop Barry that three
Salesians would arrive in Tampa on August 14th and assume the work of
caring for the three churches. The three Salesians were Father Rinaldo
Bergamo13, Pastor and Superior; Father Philip Pappalardo14, and Father
Anthony Moi15. He then asked that the usual faculties for the priests be
forwarded to them, c/o the Jesuit Fathers of Sacred Heart College at Tampa.
2.1. The arrival of the Salesians
According to the Chronicle of Mary Help of Christians School, to which
canonical community the three churches later belonged:
“The first Salesians went to Tampa, Florida, in 1926. The first four Sale-
sians (three were priests and one a lay Brother) reached Tampa
on Friday, August 13, 1926. As soon as they left the Union Station
in Tampa, they were greeted by a terrific downpour of rain, so character-
istic in sub-tropical regions. It was only on September 17, 1928, when
the first Mass was celebrated at the Mary Help of Christians School,
and it was after the middle of September of that year that the first boys
arrived. They were the Diaz brothers, Aquilino and Charles, from
Ybor City”16.
13 Rinaldo Bergamo was born in Romano di Lombardia (Bergamo, Italy), on August 24,
1893. He became a Salesian in Italy, served in the Italian artillery during the four years of
World War I. He was ordained on the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, in Turin, Italy, on June 29,
1921. Father Bergamo earned the degree of Doctor of Letters from the Royal University of
Turin. He came to New York on January 14, 1922. He served as Director in various schools
and parishes in the East. He was the first Pastor when the Salesians went to Ybor City, Fl., and
the first Director of the Mary, Help of Christians School in Tampa. After that Rectorship Father
Bergamo went to the California Province and remained there the rest of his life. He was Pastor
and Director of the house of theology in Aptos, California. Father Bergamo died of cancer, on
August 16, 1956, at the age of 63. He had been 45 years a Salesian, 35 years a priest, and a Di-
rector for 23 years. Cf the obituary letter for Father Rinaldo Bergamo, by Father Alfredo J.
Cogliandro, Provincial, August 17, 1956.
14 Philip Pappalardo was born in 1880. He worked in the New Rochelle Province
in Ybor City and at the Salesian School in New Rochelle. He returned to his native Italy
and worked there for a number of years. He died in Rome, on June 8, 1965, at the age of 85.
Cf Salesian necrology.
15 Anthony Moi was born in Ussassai (Nuoro, Italy), on December 14 1883. He began
his novitiate in 1909, in Lombriasco, Italy, but he went to Mexico before the novitiate was
over. Eventually he professed triennial vows in 1915 in Guadaljara and perpetual vows in
Mexico City, on January 25, 1928. After philosophical studies he worked in Mexico City. He
was ordained a priest on May 22, 1921. He came to the United States in 1926. Father Moi was
well versed in languages and taught them in our schools. He worked in the Antilles and then
again in the United States. Eventually Father Moi returned to his native country and later left
the Society.
16 Chronicle of Mary, Help of Christians School, 1926-1939, pp. 1 and 5. The Chronicle
is in the Archives of the Province of St. Philip, the Apostle, New Rochelle, N. Y. (Hereafter
cited as Chronicle, 1926-1939).

1.9 Page 9

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 357
So runs the Chronicle of Mary Help of Christians School. It is, there-
fore, clear that the first work actually undertaken by the Salesians in Florida
was the spiritual care of the Latin population in Ybor City and in West
Tampa.
Although the Salesians began their stay in Ybor City and in West Tampa
on August 13, 1926, the canonical erection of the community was signed only
on June 1, 1932, by the then Rector Major, Father Peter Ricaldone17.
However, the Salesians were there barely five days when, on August 19,
Father Bergamo sent an urgent telegram to Father Manassero, saying: “Pap-
palardo getting more nervous. I thought nervous breakdown was going to pass.
Unfortunately it does not. I need another man at his place. Please act at once”18.
Was this a portent of a troubled stay for the Salesians? Let us read on to find out.
On December 12, 1926, Father Bergamo wrote to Father Emanuel Man-
assero, the Provincial, that he felt very inadequate for the work. His principal
reasons were that he found the work unsettling for his nerves, the lack of inter-
est in church on the part of the people, and lastly he lamented the quality of his
English for preaching to the American parishioners. Nevertheless, Father Berg-
amo remained as Pastor and Director of the Salesian community in Tampa19.
2.2. Report regarding religious instruction
On April 7, 1927, Father Bergamo wrote a report on the number of chil-
dren receiving religious instruction and the method used at Our Lady of
Mercy Church and at Holy Name church. The note was sent to Rev. J. Nunan
in St. Augustine, Florida. The report stated the following:
“Our Lady of Mercy church, Ybor City:
1) There is a Parochial School.
2) 320 boys and 405 girls, making a total of 725 children receive reli-
gious instruction.
3) 675 children receive religious instruction in the Parochial school, where
they have one or two questions of the catechism explained every day.
4) About 50 children from Public school attend Sunday School, where
the Catechetical method is adopted.
Holy Name Church, Ybor City:
1) There is no Parochial School.
2) About 70 girls and 25 boys receive religious instruction at Sunday
17 Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 12.
18 Ibid., folder 3.
19 Ibid., folder 4.
20 Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine. A xeroxed copy is in the archives of the
Province of St. Philip, the Apostle, Tampa-Ybor City, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 21.

1.10 Page 10

▲back to top


358 Philip J. Pascucci
School. Out of the 70 girls about 60 have additional religious instruction
under form of a short sermon twice a week, after sewing class” 20.
2.3. Financing a loan
With a view to providing the boys of Our Lady of Mercy Parish with fa-
cilities for more advanced education, an extensive wing was added to the
school in 1927, with an excellent social center containing appointments for
the most varying activities.
In order to build that wing, The Salesians at Our Lady of Mercy Church
negotiated a loan of $50,000 through a Mr. Goldman, from the Salesians in
New Rochelle. New York. The following letter was written on January 9,
1927, by Father Rinaldo Bergamo, the Pastor at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, to
Father Manassero, the Provincial. In the letter Father Bergamo asked the
Provincial to negotiate a loan of $50,000 for the Parish of Our Lady of Mercy.
“V. Reverend and dear Father Provincial,
The plan for an additional building to this parochial school to be erected
with the purpose of giving room for more teaching & club halls and for a
temporary location of an orphanage met the full approval of His Lord-
ship, the Bishop of St. Augustin [sic], Fla.
According to your economical scheme we are now asking you to get
from any bank in New York the loan of about $50,000 (fifty thousand
dollars) at the lowest possible interest. If such a loan can not [sic] be
given directly to this Parish of Our Lady of Mercy through a note signed
by the Bishop of St. Augustin [sic] kindly please to borrow the money
and turn the loan to this Parish, which will undergo all the obligations
for interests and ammortization [sic] and for joined expenses.
Very trury yours in Xst,
Rev. R. Bergamo, S.C.
Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy P. Barry
Bishop of St. Augustin Fla” 21.
Father Manassero then wrote a letter in Italian on January 27, 1927, to
Father Bergamo. The following is a translation of the salient facts from that
letter, regarding the loan.
“The two [Provincial] Councilors agree about the method of loan which
we decided upon obtaining for this parish, with a guarantee from the
Bishop.
I will have to prepare an appropriate decision of the Missionary Society
and take it to Mr. Goldman, in the company of the treasurer. I will need a
few days for this.
Then, Mr. Goldman assures me that the loan will be granted to us with
an open account. You must prepare 10 post dated checks of $5,000.00
with your signature and the Bishop’s guarantee, writing them in the way
21 Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 5.

2 Pages 11-20

▲back to top


2.1 Page 11

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 359
I am doing at the bottom of this letter.
The phrase “on demand”, will mean that there will be no need to renew
the post dated checks on the usual expiration of three months.
You could send the post dated checks one at a time, whenever you need
money; or better, send them all together, so that it would only suffice to
write or telegraph for the amount you need for one or more. It is better
that these letters or telegrams be sent to Father DeMatei, [the Provincial
secretary] in order to avoid delays in case of my absence”.
The following is the model Father Manassero sent for writing the notes
and obtaining $5,000.00 at a time:
“On demand we promise to the Missionary Society of the Salesian
Congregation, Five thousand and 00/100 Dollars with interest at
5% Payable at 148 Main Street, New Rochelle, New York.
Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Ybor City, Tampa, Fla.
Each note was signed: Rev. R. Bergamo, S. C. Pastor and Treas.
Each note was also signed: Rt. Rev. P. Barry, Bp. of St. Augustine” 22
It seems that the new Provincial, Father Richard Pittini 23, wrote
to Bishop Barry about the matter, but that letter is not extant. The following
letter is the Bishop’s reply, from Miami Beach, Fla., and dated January 24,
1928:
“Very Rev. Dear Fr. Provincial,
Your letter just now reached me here & [sic] caused me some surprise.
I do not recollect that I ever borrowed any sum of money from Mr.
Goldman and, therefore, I cannot deposit any sum with him for the pur-
pose indicated. Your Fathers in Ybor City negotiated a loan with their
superior. If that must be paid I presume it must be to you & [sic] at a
time convenient for your Fathers. When the Ybor City superior wishes to
refinance that loan I shall gladly endorse his paper for the amount he has
borrowed from his order.
The original transaction was suggested & [sic] adopted by your Fathers
& [sic] their superior & [sic] we were led to believe that it would be an
easy matter to carry the loan in that way. If that is the way Mr. Goldman
wishes to do business, after the assurances we’ve had we do not care
to have any further dealings with him, & [sic] as soon as Fr. Bergamo re-
22 Ibid., folder 6.
23 Richard Pittini was born in Tricesimo (Udine- Italy), on April 30, 1876. He was or-
dained a priest on January 22, 1899, in Montevideo, Uruguay, having gone there as a mis-
sionary immediately after his profession in 1893. From 1923 until 1927 he was the Provincial
of the Province of Uruguay and Paraguay. He spent thirty years in those two countries. In
1927, Father Pittini was appointed Provincial of the New Rochelle Province. His great preoc-
cupation as Provincial was vocations. In 1933 Father Pittini’s term as Provincial ended, and in
1935 he was chosen to be the Archbishop of Santo Domingo. He was ordained bishop on De-
cember 10, 1961. Cf the obituary letter for Mons. Richard Pittini.

2.2 Page 12

▲back to top


360 Philip J. Pascucci
finances his indebtedness to you that matter shall be closed.
I am sending your letter to Fr. Bergamo.
With very best wishes, I am,
Yrs. sincerely,
P. Barry”24.
A new promissory note was written, and this time it was also signed by
Bishop Barry.
2.4. Father Bergamo
On October 6, 1927, Father Bergamo wrote to the new Provincial, Fa-
ther Richard Pittini, a letter in Italian. A translation follows.
“Very Reverend Father,
It is not my intention to cause troubles, but I feel that, unfortunately,
I might be an involuntary cause. Every day that passes leaves me always
more nervous and depressed. Frequently, closed in my room, I pace,
cursing the moment in which I came here. The superior knew for a long
time that parish work is not for me, and that I am not adapted to be a
superior.
I did not become a Salesian to be a pastor, and I am not too firm with
myself and with others to be a Superior. On the other hand, parochial af-
fairs here ought to be organized differently and with other personnel, if
one truly wishes to reach some conclusion. It is a very difficult mission,
for which I have neither the energy nor the ability. Moreover, as I have
said also to the Extraordinary Visitor, none of the confreres, except, per-
haps one, is happy to remain here. Therefore, it is not possible to create a
reliable and stable atmosphere.
A good part of the week, beginning with Saturday, I have a headache,
and I foresee that what I fear will come, which, a number of times I ex-
pressed to Father Manassero [the previous Provincial] with the state-
ment, «I will finish, against my will, by becoming neurasthenic». I feel
the effects of having been placed mistakenly here and there every year,
and to have had the duty of taking charge here of affairs for which I had
given the Superior unfavorable opinions. In my excitement, sometimes
I cannot control what I think and what I would be forced to do.
Beginning this coming new year I have decided to give up everything
next June, but if I continue in this way, I will be forced to do that much
sooner. Many things which I see or which I believe I see and which I feel
in myself, I cannot write.
I offer you my respect.
Devotedly in C. J.,
R. Bergamo, S. C.”25.
24 Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 8.
25 Ibid., folder 7.

2.3 Page 13

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 361
In spite of the above letter, Father Bergamo remained at Our Lady of
Mercy Parish as Pastor and Superior of the Salesian community until the
middle of September, 1928, at which time he was appointed the first Director
of the newly opened Mary, Help of Christians School in Tampa.
2.5. Financial woes of our Lady of Mercy Parish
The Great Depression struck in late October, 1929, with the crash of the
stock market and the failure of banks around the country. As a consequence
churches and organizations suffered losses also. The struggling Church of
Our Lady of Mercy in Ybor City was no exception. Messrs. Lucas and
Twomey were the attorneys for the Salesians in Tampa, and Father Pittini
wrote to Mr. Lucas concerning the inability of the Pastor at Our Lady
of Mercy church to pay the amortization payments on the $50,000.00 loan.
The following letter was written on February 18, 1931, by Mr. Lucas to Wm.
C. Bitting, Jr. of Bitting & Co., an investment firm in Saint Louis, to which
the loan was apparently to be paid:
“Gentlemen,
Re: $50,000.00 Diocese of St. Augustine, First Mortgage 5% Serial
Bonds for Salesian Fathers.
Reverend Richard Pittini, [sic] Provincial of the Salesian Fathers, on his
annual visit, has requested me to write you in regard to the above loan.
It is possible, Father Provincial states, for the organization to pay the in-
terest promptly, but nearly impossible to meet the amortization payments
of $2,000.00 due annually for the next three years, increasing upwards to
$6,000.00.
The failure of the Bank of Ybor City holding substantial funds of the
Parish, coveting several annual principal installments, and the conditions
which are countrywide, due to the present depression, makes it impos-
sible to meet these amortization payments.
Father Provincial wishes to ask that the principal payments be deferred
during the continuance of this depression.
If this request is possible of granting, on some definite terms, it will be
greatly appreciated.
Prompt payment of interest is, of course, understood.
You will understand that this is a diocesan loan, under the administration
of the Salesian Fathers, just as the Sacred Heart Church loan, in Tampa,
is a diocesan loan under the administration of the Jesuit Fathers.
Father Provincial also stated that it is his hope to obtain relief, and avoid
the necessity of calling the matter to the Bishop's attention.
Your prompt reply will be appreciated, as principal and interest pay-
ments on this loan are due April lst, 1931.
With kind personal regards, I am,

2.4 Page 14

▲back to top


362 Philip J. Pascucci
Yours very truly,
Thomas E. Lucas
P.S. I told the Father that I doubted the possibility of giving any releif
[sic] as it is in a fixed bond issue” 26.
Wm. C. Bitting, Jr. then wrote the following letter on February 20, 1931,
to Rt. Rev. P. Barry, D.D.:
“Your Lordship and my dear Friend,
In confidence, I am enclosing an original letter received this morning by
airmail from Mr. Thomas E. Lucas of Tampa, together with a copy of my
reply thereto, and of which reply I trust you approve.
It is not quite clear to me why the Provincial of the Salesian Fathers
should come to me about the inability of the Salesian Fathers to pay a
maturity on April lst, that is the obligation of the Bishop of St. Augus-
tine. Nor is it clear to me how the Father Provincial thought he could ob-
tain relief from us, and, to quote from Mr. Lucas’ letter, «avoid the ne-
cessity of calling the matter to the Bishop’s attention». For it seems to
me that for us to discuss this matter with the Salesian Fathers, in any
way, would be to violate the proprieties of the case, inasmuch as the
obligation is yours, so far as the bondholders are concerned, not that of
the Salesian Fathers.
Of course, as I have told you so many times, we stand ready to lend you
this, or any other money that you may desire, for any purpose whatso-
ever, so long as we have any command of credit.
Awaiting your advices [sic] in the matter and with affectionate regards,
I remain
Your Friend,
Bill”27.
Bitting & Co. wrote a letter to Mr. Lucas on February 20, 1931, in
answer to a February 18th letter of Mr. Lucas. The letter of Bitting & Co.
is as follows:
“My dear Mr. Lucas,
Re: Roman Catholic Bishop of St. Augustine, His Successor and Succes-
sors in Office, First Mortgage 5% $50,000 Loan for Salesian Fathers
at Tampa, Florida.
I have your letter of February 18th, concerning the statement by the
Rev. Richard Pettini, [sic] Provincial of the Salesian Fathers, and to the
effect that while the Salesian Fathers will be able to pay interest
promptly on this loan, they will not be able to pay the principal of
$2,000 due to be disbursed April 1, 1931, nor an equal amount of prin-
cipal due in 1932 and 1933, owing to the failure of the Bank of Ybor
26 Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine. A xeroxed copy is in the archives of the
Province of St. Philip, the Apostle, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 21.
27 Ibid.

2.5 Page 15

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 363
City, which held substantial funds of the Salesian Fathers, as well as to
nationwide conditions.
Your letter communicated to us the wish of the Rev. Father Provincial
that the principal payments be deferred during the continuance of the
present depression. That, as I assume you explained to the Rev. Provin-
cial, is totally impossible, because we do not own the loan, but have dis-
tributed it to investors, who expect fulfillment of the contract under
which they purchased the securities.
I do not feel as though it would be proper for me to make any sugges-
tions in the premises, owing to the fact that the obligation is that of His
Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of St. Augustine, who, I believe, is the one
to communicate with me concerning any aid, of any character, that he
might desire in the fulfillment of this, his obligation, incurred on behalf
of the Salesian Fathers.
However, en passant, it does occur to me that while this is a diocesan
loan, nevertheless, the salesian Fathers constitute a «Community»,
whose sole source of income is not within the Diocese of St. Augustine.
Accordingly, I should think that the Rev. Fathers would obtain help from
their General Motherhouse in New Rochelle, New York, or elsewhere,
rather than burdening the shoulders of the already heavily burdened Rt.
Rev. Bishop.
Please again take this matter up with the Salesian Fathers, and if they
cannot find means to meet the $2,000 due April 1st, then immediately
discuss the matter with Bishop Barry, as it must be settled forthwith.
With the assurance of my respect and kindest personal regards, I remain
Very sincerely”28.
The Chronicle of Mary, Help of Christians School in Tampa records that
by the middle of September, 1928, that school was opened, and Father Ri-
naldo Bergamo was the Director 29. Thus the Provincial heeded Father
Bergamo’s request for a transfer from Our Lady of Mercy.
The same Chronicle of Mary, Help of Christians School records on page
7, that towards the beginning of september, 1929, several changes in the
personnel of the School were made. Regarding Father Bergamo, this is the
statement in the Chronicle, “Father Bergamo was, at his own request, relieved
of the responsibility [of Director of the School].” When Bishop Barry learned
of this change, he wrote the following letter on September 14, 1929, to the
Provincial, Father Richard Pittini.
“Very Rev. dear Fr. Provincial,
Your requests are hereby granted:
l. Permission to establish Archconfraternity of Mary Help of Christians
in the salesian Churches of Tampa.
2. Permission to borrow cash in hand of Italian Mission for payment
28 Ibid.
29 Chronicle, 1926-1939, p. 4.

2.6 Page 16

▲back to top


364 Philip J. Pascucci
of debt of Our Lady of Mercy Church, such loan to be refunded to It.
Mission later on.
Now, in regard to removal of Fr. Bergamo, it is my humble opinion that
his talents and ability are very much needed in the new Salesian work in
Tampa. He is very dear to me and I would deeply regret his transfer from
the splendid work he has just inaugurated in Florida.
Of course I would not stand in the way of his promotion to higher posi-
tion or in any way impede the designs of his superiors in his advance-
ment but, until a suitable substitute replaces him in Tampa I would re-
spectfully suggest that he be retained there.
I was out of town when your esteemed favor arrived, & [sic] I thank you
for your kind generous prayers & [sic] remembrances of me both in
Rome & [sic] my native land.
Gratefully yrs.
P. Barry”30.
2.6. Holy orders at Mary Help of Christians School
Bishop Patrick Barry was requested to confer Holy Orders on a Salesian
at the Mary, Help of Christians school. With the following letter written on
October 10, 1929, he accepted to confer the Orders.
“Dear Fr. Provincial,
I shall be free to proceed to ordain your young theologian beginning
with Tonsure on November 18th next, dispensing interstices and con-
cluding Major Orders that week. Please forward necessary papers and if
you have any blank forms for certificates for each order you may include
copies of them as I have no forms for such.
Ordinations may take place in orphanage chapel or in Our Lady of
Mercy Church to suit your convenience.
Sincerely yrs,
P. Barry”31.
The Chronicle of Mary, Help of Christians School fully records the
events of the ordination as follows:
“The Right Rev. Bishop P. Barry arrived at the Orphanage earlier than
was expected. He was accompanied by Fr. Bergamo, S.C., and by Fr.
McGill, Chancellor.
His Lordship remained with us until the 22nd. While here he conferred
Holy Orders on Bro. Anthony Bregolato. On November 17, Sunday af-
ternoon, he conferred the Tonsure; Monday morning the ostiariate and
lectorate; Tuesday morning, exorcistate and acolytate; Wednesday, the
Subdiaconate; Thursday, the Diaconate. The ceremonies took place in
the School Chapel.
30 Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 13.
31 Ibid., folder 11.

2.7 Page 17

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 365
The Priesthood was conferred at the Church of Our Lady of Mercy in
Ybor City. Invitation to assist at the ceremony had been sent out to those
who were expected to attend. Attendance was numerous. Fr. Bergamo
was Archdeacon at all ordinations.
The Bishop was offered a $50.00 check for his services, but he kindly
refused the offer, stating he was only too glad to serve the Orphanage.
The first Mass of the newly Ordained took place in the School Chapel as
Community Mass. A modest Banquet was served, followed by a simple
reception given by the boys and Superiors.
The first Solemn High Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy’s.
The boys sang the Missa de Angelis, and then were entertained at
the Rectory at dinner. After the singing of the Vespers and solemn Bene-
diction, all returned”32.
2.7. Most Holy Name Mission Church
Father Pittini wrote the following letter to Bishop Patrick Barry. The
copy which is in the archives of New Rochelle, is a corrected draft of the
letter and is undated.
“Your Excellency,
I respectfully submit to your Excellency’s consideration, the problem
connected with the future development of the Italian Mission in Ybor
City, and its best solution, not to say the only one possible, to my way of
thinking.
We kept so far there a “lonesome” priest, out of community, without
means of life (the average Sunday collection is $2.50), with relatively
little work on account of local conditions, and no prospect in the future.
On the other hand, the spiritual condition of the population is exceed-
ingly miserable and something has to be done.
I propose Your Excellency to cede the place in perpetuity to our «Sale-
sian Sisters», with the express condition that it is to be used for the de-
velopment of such activities as their Constitutions impose on them and
the local necessities request. That is: a) Festive and daily oratory for the
catechetical training of the youth. b) Daily teaching of sewing, embroi-
dery, cooking and whatever may train poor girls for life. c) Nursery and
daily grammar school. d) Promotion of Religious life in the neighbor-
hood. The fact of them being the owners of the Place will lay on them
the financial burden of their existence and activities, which could never
be carried on by the Mission itself.
I may assure Your Excellency that the «Salesian Sisters», will work
wonderful things in the Italian colony of Ybor City as they are working
everywhere, and are working just now in W. Tampa, where the Church,
almost empty a few years ago, is now to be enlarged in order to contain
the faithful.
If Your Excellency is favorably disposed toward this solution, I shall do
32 Chronicle, 1926-1939, p. 8.

2.8 Page 18

▲back to top


366 Philip J. Pascucci
my best to convince the Provincial of the Sisters, to accept it, even
facing certain obstacles especially at the beginning. In this case, I would
withdraw the “lonesome” priest to the near community of Our Lady
of Mercy, and from there he would attend the moral needs of both the
population and the Sisters” 33.
Since the above is a rough draft of the letter, it is unsigned, but from the
following reply from Bishop Barry, written on December 30, 1932, to the
Provincial, it is understood that Father Pittini, who was the Provincial, wrote
the above letter. Here is Bishop Barry’s answer:
“Dear Fr. Provincial,
The Italian mission property has the same status as all other Church
property in the Diocese. It is in the name of the bishop & [sic] for the
Italian Church. The Bishop has no discretion to dispose of it for any or-
ganization. I believe there is a special clause, at least an understanding,
that it must be held for benefit of Italian Church.
The property was originally deeded in trust to Fr. Dente, S. J. & [sic] af-
terwards at insistence of the Ap. Delegate & [sic] myself formally
deeded to the Bishop.
Your proposed plan is certainly a good one – the placing of the Salesian
Sisters there. The only difficulty in the way being the restriction placed
upon us to hold the property for the Italian Church.
Why cannot it be used in same manner as the rest of the Church property
now in charge of your Fathers? The priest in charge of the It. Mission
could scarcely be called a «lonesome man» as he is within a few squares
of Our Lady of Mercy Community & [sic] not near as far away as the W.
Tampa priest who seems to be so successful. The Sisters could use the
property certainly for the purposes outlined by you, the title still re-
maining as it is now. Whatever good can be done or hoped for in that
mission must necessarily have our approval and I would feel very sorry
to mark the word «failure» in that mission.
With every good wish for progress and prosperity in the New Year, I am,
Sincerely yrs.
P. Barry” 34.
2.8. The Salesian Sisters
There is no extant record of Father Pittini’s communications to the
Provincial of the Salesian sisters concerning the Italian Mission. However,
the following letter to Father Pittini, written on January 25, 1933, clearly indi-
cates that he did write to her about that Mission.
“Dear Reverend Father Provincial,
33 Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 13.
34 Ibid.

2.9 Page 19

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 367
I received your Postal Card in which you express the desire to know my
impressions about the Italian Mission, and willingly, before leaving
Florida, I briefly state them as follows:
1. Considering the present critical financial conditions, it is impossible to
start a school. There is little hope of success.
2. The cottage is very small for such purpose and it wouldn’t be at all ap-
pealing, not even for a starting.
3. The economical problem is completely out of consideration, as there
is no starting point.
4. The only thing that seems possible for the present moment and that
seems leaving some hope of success is the opening of a kindergarten,
daily catechism classes, sewing classes, Sunday and daily oratory. Of
course the Sisters have to rely on the little income from the kindergarten
and on the help of Divine Providence, as I saw that the conditions of the
Church are entirely too poor to give them any salary.
With the approval of the provincial council and the one of our Rev.
Mother General, I am willing to start next September the work in that
mission, beginning as I said above. But it would be necessary to build at
least two large rooms, one to use as kindergarten, and the other as
sewing class, etc.
As you, Very Rev. Father recommended me in your last letter, I kept the
matter secret to every one, except to dear Mrs. Neve, who encouraged
me very much to start in the way mentioned above, and leave the idea of
a school, for the present.
I am leaving for the North, and please, Rev. Father, if this my statement
meets your approval, kindly let me know it, so that I may consider the
matter with the Provincial Chapter [Council] and write immediately to
the Very Rev. Mother General for the approval.
With cordial regards and imploring the blessings of God upon your days
of permanence here in Florida, I remain
Sincerely Yours in J. C.,
sr. Antonietta Pollini, Provincial”35.
The Salesian Sisters did come to the little Italian Mission of the Most
Holy Name in Ybor City. They came in 1933, while the Salesian, Father
35 Ibid., folder 14.
36 Archives of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Los Compleanos de San Augustin.
A xeroxed copy is in the Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 21.
Anthony Besozzi was born at Bollate (Milan, Italy), on August 8, 1894. He came to the
United States as a missionary in 1922 and had his novitiate in New Rochelle, New York, from
1923 to 1924. He professed triennal vows in 1924. Perpetual vows followed in 1927. After
philosophical studies he taught at Goshen and New Rochelle from 1925 to 1928. His last two
years of theology were in Turin, and he was ordained a priest there on July 6, 1930. His
priestly work was at Mary, Help of Christians School in Tampa, Florida; in Our Lady of Mercy
Parish and in Most Holy Name Mission, both in Ybor City. He moved to Transfiguration Parish
in New York City when the Salesians left Ybor City in 1934. From 1935 to 1936 he was a
teacher and confessor at Salesian High School in New Rochelle. Father Besozzi then returned
to Italy. Eventually he left the Society.

2.10 Page 20

▲back to top


368 Philip J. Pascucci
Anthony Besozzi 36, was in charge of the Mission. The Sisters soon found
a warm welcome and were surrounded by a crowd of children and adults.
They wholelieartedly dedicated all their time and energies, with an admirable
spirit of sacrifice, in school work, evening and day classes of catechism,
sewing classes and festive Oratory.
But, the Salesian Sisters had already come to Tampa in September,
1930, at the request of Father Luis Conde37, who was the Pastor of St. Joseph
Church in West Tampa. Their work began with three sisters whose living
quarters were an old factory purchased and adapted for the purpose. It was lo-
cated at 2004 Armenia Avenue. The parochial school annexed to St. Joseph
Church was entrusted to them. With that went also catechism classes for chil-
dren of the public schools and for adults, sewing classes, evening classes,
plus an after school and festive oratory.
A noticeable awakening of religious spirit and practice soon rewarded
the Sisters’ labors, even in West Tampa, where countless obstacles and long
years of indifference and forgetfulness of Catholic doctrines, had almost
wiped away any sign of Catholicity38.
3. The withdrowal
3.1. One Pastor’s Views
Father Peter Mayerhofer was appointed Pastor at Our Lady of Mercy
Church on September 5, 1931. He wrote no less than twentyseven letters to
Father Ambrose Rossi 39, the Provincial, from January 3, 1934 until August
30, 1934. Sad to say, every letter contained some sort of complaint, about ei-
ther his own unhappiness at being there, or his dissatisfaction with one of his
assistants whom he names, or the lack of sufficient income. After Father
Rossi had told him, in confidence, that the Salesians would be leaving the
37 Ibid.
38 Ibid.
39 Rossi Ambrose was born in Cortenova (Lecco, Italy), on April 23, 1893. On Sep-
tember 23, 1923, he was ordained a priest. From 1925 until 1930, he was the Director of
the Missionary Institute Cardinal Cagliero, in Ivrea, Turin, Italy, and from 1930 to 1933,
he was the Director of the Institute Conte Rebaudengo, in Turin, Italy. From 1933 to 1941,
Father Rossi was the Provincial of the New Rochelle Province, and for a time also of the
San Francisco together. The latter Province included Australia in those years. In 1944, he was
assigned to the Institute Don Rua in El Salvador. There his piety and zeal prompted him
to build a magnificent church in honor of Mary, Help of Christians. Father Rossi died on
March 26, 1964, in the City of San Salvador. Cf the funeral homily for Father Ambrose Rossi
by

3 Pages 21-30

▲back to top


3.1 Page 21

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 369
three parishes, he occasionally expressed his relief at the prospect of relin-
quishing the responsibility of being Pastor. All of Father Mayerhofer’s
twenty-seven letters are in the archives of the Province of New Rochelle40.
Apparently Father Mayerhofer wrote to Bishop Barry about his inability
to pay the interest on the debt at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Father’s letter is
not extant, but the following letter was written by Bishop Barry to Father
Mayerhofer on March 13, 1934:
“Dear Fr. Peter,
On my return from the E.C. Missions I found your letter informing me
of your financial difficulty & [sicl your inability to meet it. I wonder
what you have been doing or whether you took your congregation [of
Our Lady of Mercy Parish] into your confidence to help in the business.
What entertainments, special efforts or collections did you have? Now
you have only about $100 to meet the half-yearly interest without
speaking of any principal. That is certainly very bad. When your prede-
cessors contracted the debt they must have had a good idea of their
ability to take care of it. It was not much for a large parish if any enthu-
siasm were put into it.
I have so many obligations all over the diocese that I can’t afford to
carry this load for you. I have borrowed & [sic] borrowed & [sic] get no
help from you.
The enclosed check of $1,000 is being sent to you now in the hope that
you will do some work toward paying it back. You shall sign the en-
closed «note» which covers the amount already borrowed from the
bishop & [sic] return it to me immediately.
The interest should go forward to Bitting Co. as soon as possible to pay
the coupons held by the bondholders & [sic] must be ready on date of
payment, April 1st, to prevent default.
Sincerely yrs.,
P. Barry” 41.
3.2. Salesians return the three Churches to the Diocese
From a letter written on March 10, 1934, to Bishop Barry, we learn that
already on December 23, 1933, Father Ambrose Rossi began the process of
withdrawing the Salesians from the three churches in Ybor City and West Tam-
pa. He had met the Bishop at Mary Help of Christians School on that date and
had wanted to terminate the stay of the salesians at the end of June, 193442.
In answer to Father Rossi’s letter, Bishop Barry wrote the following letter:
“Very Rev. dear Fr. Provincial,
In reply to yours received yesterday I beg to state that it is my under-
40 Archives, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, folder 15.
41 Ibid., folder 16.
42 Ibid., folder 18.

3.2 Page 22

▲back to top


370 Philip J. Pascucci
standing that no definite date was mentioned for withdrawing your con-
freres from the missions in Tampa. Eight or nine months was mentioned
& [sic] the reason alleged was the order of your general Superior to
withdraw from small missions. of course I do not dispute this action nor
do I criticise [sic] it.
However, I respectfully submit that the missions are not small as there
are about 40,000 Catholics or more in the three missions involved. There
are schools caring for at least one thousand children, not small, tho [sic]
a great majority of the children of the Latins go to the public schools.
The Salesian Fathers soon after their arrival in the diocese contracted a
debt of fifty thousand dollars to enlarge the school in Ybor City. This
was a bond issue, a small portion of which has been paid & [sicl] we are
now refunding the outstanding bonds to prevent default.
In view of these important matters I feel that it would be untrue to call
them small missions & [sic] the work unworthy of the missionary zeal of
your Fathers.
Now to come to another important consideration, I have some men to be
ordained in June and those men cannot report for duty before October
1st. It would not be possible for me to take over before that date. If your
superiors insist, of course I shall have no way to provide for the care of
those missions. It would be a bad thing to abandon them even for four
months. Your men know the difficulties & [sic] the uphill work neces-
sary to keep the remnant of these people in the fold & [sic] to abandon
them even for one week would be disastrous.
I am, therefore, imploring you to let them remain until October 1st next
when they may ease out quietly & [sic] without raising turmoil & [sic]
disturbance.
Sincerely yrs,
P. Barry” 43.
Father Rossi answered the above letter on March 21, 1934 as follows:
“Your Excellency,
I have to apologize not to liave immediately answered the letter I re-
ceived from Your Excellency. It was for the motive that I wanted to see
how I could arrange in order to be able to let my priests stay in their
parishes not till June only but till October lst, 1934, according to Your
Excellencyls desire.
I did my best, and with some sacrifice and with the help of my confrere
from the Province of California, who happened to be here, I think I will
succeed in solving my problem for the months of July and August.
I would very respectfully implore Your Excellency to share some part of
the sacrifice, by letting my priests free at the beginning of september,
when I will be in a real need of them.
We are so sorry to withdraw from those three parishes, and sorry we are
43 Ibid.

3.3 Page 23

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 371
to withdraw from several others in this Province of ours. But since the
order is coming from very high, we feel sure to do God’s Holy Will.
Asking Your Excellency for your precious blessing, I remain
Your humble servant,
Rev. A. R. Rossi
Provincial” 44.
On August 15, 1934, Father Rossi wrote the following letter to Bishop
Barry, reminding him of the terms in the above letter:
“Your Excellency,
As I had written to Your Excellency on March 21, 1934, I am in the ne-
cessity of withdrawing my priests from the three churches in Tampa, by
the end of this month. I have therefore told them to be ready to give their
books, their accounts, and all indications to those whom Your Excel-
lency will appoint to take their places. I would humbly ask Your Excel-
lency to let me know on what day I might consider them completely
free.
In the meantime, I beseech the paternal heart of Your Excellency to be-
nignly forgive every fault of theirs. The salesians will do their best not
only to carry on, but also to improve and develop their peculiar work for
the poorest boys of the Diocese at the Orphanage, always anxious to
please Your Excellency and to deserve your blessings, which are a token
of the blessings from Heaven.
With very respectful regards, I remain
Your humble servant,
Rev. A. R. Rossi, Provincial” 45.
On August 17, 1934, Bishop Barry answered the above letter as follows:
“Verv Rev. dear Fr. Provincial,
In reply to yours of 15th instant, I beg to inform you that I shall have two
priests in Ybor City, Tampa, on the 22nd instant to take over the work.
Two others will arrive by the end of the month and release your Fathers ac-
cording to your Orders. It is with regret that I accept this change. Howev-
er, since it is the order of your superiors, I cordially submit my own desires
in the matter & [sic] hope good for all may result from the withdrawal.
I heartily commend the zeal and piety of the Fathers who have been labor-
ing in this difficult field. They made great sacrifices to minister to the Latins
of Tampa, who in most instances failed to respond to their charitable min-
istrations. The financial support received from the congregation of Our La-
dy of Mercy was inadequate to meet the obligations of the parish, and con-
sequently the Fathers laboring so faithfully there were sorely handicapped.
I sincerely hope that the good Fathers who have been with us for some
time may be very happy in the new labors to be entrusted to them & [sic]
44 Ibid.
45 Ibid.
46 Ibid.

3.4 Page 24

▲back to top


372 Philip J. Pascucci
I thank them all and impart to them my Episcopal benedictions.
Sincerely yrs.,
P. Barry Bp. of St. Augustine” 46.
3.3. The arrival of the Redemptorists
The priests who took over the care of the three churches were the Re-
demptorists. Father John Hosey, CSSR was the Pastor at Our Lady of Mercy
Parish. From Don Bosco Seminary in Newton, New Jersey, Father Ambrose
Rossi, the Salesian Provincial, wrote the following welcoming letter on Sep-
tember 7, 1934, to the Redemptorists:
“Rev. and dear Father,
Allow me to give you and all your Confreres who came to take up the
three churches my hearty welcome. I feel glad that the Sons of St.
Alphonsus enter a field for which they have a special vocation and a
wonderful training. I am sure it is a great benefit for the souls of the
three parishes.
I hope my priests have given you all the indications and explanations
you wanted. I am only sorry you have found such a debt, part of which
even towards the Salesian Congregation. We will pray that you may be
able to obtain also material correspondence to your work.
If you happen to notice any deficiency for which my Confreres may be
responsible, please cover it with the mantle of religious charity. Any re-
mark you would send me, would be fraternally appreciated.
May your zeal and labors be crowned with a happy success in the vine-
yard of God.
With kindest regards and best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
Rev. A. R. Rossi Provincial” 47.
To the above letter, Father Hosey sent the following reply on September
10, 1934, to Father Rossi:
“Very Reverend and dear Father,
Your very kind favor of the 7th instant reached me this morning and I
hasten to thank you for your good wishes and the promise of your
prayers.
I wish to take occasion of this opportunity to assure Your Reverence that
the Redemptorist Fathers of Tampa, Florida, are deeply indebted to the
good priests of your Congregation for all the wise counsels, fraternal re-
lations and splendid example they have received from them during the
time we have been permitted to know them here in Tampa. The Salesian
Fathers have done good work and their memory will live in the gratitude
of the people for whom they made so many sacrifices. We hope to bring
into our new field here some of the zeal and charity that were so charac-
47 Ibid., folder 19.

3.5 Page 25

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 373
teristic of men such as Fathers Peter, Conde, and Anthony. Father Ri-
naldi and the confreres at the Orphanage have also been very kind and
we have every assurance that the mutual relations so auspiciously begun
will continue.
We have assumed all the obligations, responsibilities and joys and sor-
rows of the three places and in obedience to God’s will and in a spirit of
faith we shall do the best we can. The angels cannot do more.
Again thanking Your Reverence for your kind letter and assuring you
and your worthy Community of our prayers for your continued success
in your noble work, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
John J. Hosey, CSSR” 48.
During the 1930s the Great Depression was raging, and the Province of
New Rochelle was in the throes of a very heavy financial burden due to con-
struction costs for the Salesian schools in New Rochelle, New York; Goshen,
New York; and Newton, New Jersey.
Consequently, it is hardly any wonder that Father Rossi, on December
29, 1934, wrote the following letter to the Superior at Our Lady of Mercy
Church in Tampa, Florida:
“Rev. and dear Father,
At this time of the year, just when we are about to start our new calen-
dars, the various problems we shall have to solve beginning with the
very first days of January, come up rather vividly before our mind. The
depression has not helped smooth sailing to be sure, and the waters
ahead still look rough and angry. This is why I am forced to look around
for some «last straws» to avoid being altogether immerged in financial
difficulties.
I believe that just because you have your own problems, you will sympa-
thize with me if I drop a line to see whether you could help me along a
bit. If your Church would be in a position to send me some little amount
from the $12,000.00 loaned by our Congregation to the Parish of Our
Lady of Mercy at Tampa, or at least some of the interest, what a godsend
it would be! Believe me, dear Father, it is hard necessity that compels
me to write to you. I am sure you will readily understand.
I wish to take occasion to wish you and all your good Fathers the
choicest blessings of our Divine Savior throughout the New Year. May
our dear Lord help us to meet our obligations in the coming year with
less difficulty than heretofore. Let us hope that the clouds of this depres-
sion may quickly be removed from us all.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. A. R. Rossi Provincial” 49.
48 Ibid.
49 Ibid.

3.6 Page 26

▲back to top


374 Philip J. Pascucci
There is no extant reply to the above letter, but we can assume there was
an answer, for in time the debt of $12,000.00 was paid to the Salesians.
Two Redemptorist Fathers arrived on August 21, 1934, to take charge of
the three churches, but Father Peter Mayerhofer 50 remaine in order to inform
the Redemptorists about the affairs of the three churches. Father Mayerhofer
left Ybor City on September 4 of that year and took up new duties as Con-
fessor and financial administrator in Hope Haven, the recently opened sale-
sian school in marrero, Louisiana.
The two Redemptorist Fathers paid a visit to Mary, Help of Christians
school on August 22. There the School band entertained them with a few
pieces, and Father Louis Rinaldi 51 extended to them a warm welcoming
speech. Father Hosey, the priest who was to be the Pastor, replied with a few
very pleasant remarks about the school and the work of the Salesians52.
Epilogue
When the Salesians turned the care of the three churches over to the Re-
demptorist Fathers, Our Lady of Mercy Church was a wooden building in a
corner lot at 17th Street and 10th Avenue. St. Joseph’s in West Tampa and
Most Holy Name parishes also had wooden churches, and like Our Lady of
Mercy, conducted parish schools. Both of the latter schools were staffed by
the Salesian Sisters.
During their stay in Ybor City, the Salesians at our Lady of Mercy
50 Peter Mayerhofer was born on June 27, 1880 in Bavaria (Germany). He was a novice
at Ivrea (Turin - Italy) in 1901, and professed triennial vows on October 1, 1902. He was sent
to Mexico in 1904. There he had his practical training and was ordained on December 4, 1910.
When persecution broke out, he came to the United States. Here he exercised his apostolate in
parishes, and lastly in Hope Haven, Marrero, Louisiana, from 1934 until he died at DePaul
Hospital in New Orleans, LA., on September 7, 1964, at the age of 84. Father Mayerhofer
spoke German, English, Spanish, and Italian. He was a priest 54 years and 62 years a Salesian.
Cf the obituary letter for Peter Mayerhofer.
51 Louis Rinaldi was born on October 28, 1902, in Lu Monferrato (Alessandria, Italy).
His grand uncle was Blessed Philip Rinaldi. At first he went to medical school and later de-
cided to become a Salesian. Louis came to the United States as a missionary in October, 1922,
and was a novice under Father Francis Binelli. He professed in 1923. His last year of theology
was in Turin, and he was ordained in the Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians. Back in the
United States, he at first worked at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York; then in
Tampa as a parish curate in Ybor City, then as Catechist (Director of Religious Activities) in
Mary, Help of Christians School in Tampa. In 1932 he was appointed Director of that School.
From then on until he died on July 22, 1956, he was a Director in different schools. Father
Louis was 53 years old, 33 years a salesian, and 27 years a priest. Cf the obituary letter for Fa-
ther Louis Rinaldi.
52 Chronicle, 1926-1939, p. 44, August 21 and September 4, 1934.

3.7 Page 27

▲back to top


A brief account of the parish salesian ministry in Ybor city... 375
Church added to the school erected by the Jesuits in 1921, an extensive wing
with classrooms, study hall, and rooms for the teaching staff. The Sisters of
St. Joseph were in charge of our Lady of Mercy school. The Salesians at the
churches labored tirelessly in the formation of parish societies and instruction
of the young.
There was much cooperation with the Salesians at Mary Help of Chris-
tians School and vice versa. All the Salesians in Tampa celebrated Don
Bosco’s Beatification in 1929 at Our Lady of Mercy Church. Salesians from
the School helped with Sunday services at the three churches, and those from
the parishes occasionally preached or heard confessions at the School53.
The various churches in Ybor City during those early years were unable
to assimilate or Americanize the Latin immigrants. The reasons were largely
external to church policies. Ignorance shown by clerics and protestant prose-
lytizers of the sociocultural backgrounds of the Latins, and the political in-
fighting within the Catholic church in Florida, influenced developments.
Also, the weakness of the Catholic church and its protestant rivals in Ybor
City was in direct proportion to the strength of the mutual aid societies, labor
unions, and radical groups, and to their ideology.
Neither Catholics nor Protestants succeeded in challenging the apathy
and even hostility toward organized religion in Ybor City. These feelings
were in each of the Latin ethnic groups. These factors prevented full Ameri-
canization and assimilation of those groups of people.
Until well into the 1930s there was a continuance of folk religious prac-
tices apart from formal church connection, as well as the avoidance of church
attendance by males, and a strong attachment to clubs which opposed partici-
pation by the church. Whatever success organized religion enjoyed occurred
mostly among immigrant women 54.
In a 1935 letter to the Apostolic Delegate to America, an exasperated
Bishop Patrick Barry of St. Augustine assessed the work of the Tampa
church. Responding to questions concerning the condition of Italians in this
location he explained:
“There are members who should belong to the Church of many national-
ities in Tampa, who never attend services, never receive the sacraments
and whose lack of interest and support of church and school may be
attributed to their membeorship in secret societies condemned by the
Church.
Some of the more prosperous Italians in Tampa belong to condemned
societies and they are never seen in our churches nor do they send their
53 Ibid., pp. 5-44, passim.
54 G. R. MORMINO - G. E. POZZETTA, The immigrant world..., pp. 228-229.

3.8 Page 28

▲back to top


376 Philip J. Pascucci
children to the Catholie schools. The poorer classes, who look up
to these leaders amongst them, copy their example and follow them in
absence from church and sacraments.
This indifference to the desires of the church in their regard is not pecu-
liar to the Italians alone. The Spaniards, Cubans, and other nationalities
are equally at fault in this report, and no amount of zeal and effort on the
part of Jesuits, Salesians and Redemptorists has been able to convert
them to the practices of religion. For fifty years and more, zealous, un-
selfish priests and sisters have exhausted themselves in trying to save
these people, and their reward must be sought in heaven for they receive
no earthly one” 55.
55 Ibid., pp. 220-221.