Circular

E III, 1475

Appeal for the construction of the church of St John the Evangelist at Porta Nuova in Turin

Turin, 12 October 1870

Church of St John the Evnagelist with a hospice and classrooms for poor children in Viale del Re in Turin

In the city of Turin, from Piazza d'Armi to the River Po, there is a densely populated area stretching for about three kilometres, yet among its numerous inhabitants there are neither schools for children nor churches for religious worship. It is in the midst of this population, as everyone knows, that the Protestants built their so-called temple with a hospice, schools and a nursery.

Therefore, due to the deplorable lack of nearby Catholic churches and schools, and the proximity of the heterodox establishment, fathers of ten families face a very serious and effective challenge in sending their sons and daughters to Protestant schools and nurseries under the specious pretext that necessity knows no law.

The Oratory of St Aloysius had existed for many years, with classrooms and a recreation garden, but in the extension of Via S. Pio V, this location was divided into two parts, thus rendering it unusable for its purpose. In order to provide some relief for this serious need, with the help of charitable people, a plot of land was purchased between Via S. Pio V and Via Madama Cristina, facing Viale del Re. The intention is to build a church, which can also be used by adults, with sufficient space for a school, a hospice, and a garden where children can play on holidays, protecting them from the dangers of immorality and introducing them to some art or craft.

With the support of divine Providence, work has begun; the boundary wall has already been completed, and while a worthy engineer is finalising the design of the church and the adjoining building, the materials necessary for construction are also being prepared. However, the difficult times we are going through and the misery that is felt everywhere are a great obstacle to the completion of such a work, for which there is not a penny in the budget.

Except that the charity of Catholics, which has never failed on other similar occasions, will certainly not fail now; the case is too serious to doubt it. As everyone can easily see, this is a matter of preserving a large number of children, and perhaps even adults and entire families, from the grave and fatal danger of being led into error against the holy faith, and almost imperceptibly alienated from the Holy Catholic Church and its supreme Head and Shepherd, of becoming, or rather finding themselves, almost without realising it, engaged in heresy.

Those who love the glory of God, the good of the Holy Catholic Church and the salvation of their neighbours are earnestly invited and warmly urged to reflect on these drawbacks. It is hoped that this work will be completed in two years, and in this space of time a humble but heartfelt appeal is made to all good people, begging them to contribute with whatever offerings God inspires them to give for these exceptional needs. Such offerings may be made in money or in any other material suitable for the construction or decoration of the church or the adjoining building.

It is a matter of saving souls, and those who lend a helping hand will have well-founded hope of one day hearing the Saviour's consoling words: ‘You have saved a soul, you have predestined your own.’

The Supreme Pontiff Pius IX praises the undertaking and blesses all those who take part in it. His Excellency, our beloved Archbishop, not only encourages it, but also takes part in it with the material means that his position allows him. An appeal is made to Christians in general, but especially to those who live in that neighbourhood or have some property there.

The church is dedicated to St John the Evangelist, and the altarpiece represents the Saviour entrusting his Blessed Mother to his beloved apostle St John from the cross, as recounted in the Holy Gospel. Offerings are received by the undersigned or by Fr Traversa, Parish Priest of St Massimo, to whose parish the site chosen for the new construction belongs.

May God fill all the worthy donors with grace and heavenly favours, and grant them happy days with generous rewards here on earth and even greater ones in blessed eternity. Amen.

Fr John Bosco