THE PARISH VISITOR - Vol. XXXIV - No. 3 - March 1958

Sep 29, 2026

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March 1958 issue of THE PARISH VISITOR, an official publication for Mary Immaculate’s home missionary sisters and catechists. The text describes Spanish-speaking migration to U.S. cities after World War II, the hopes and struggles of immigrant families, housing and economic pressures, and shortages of clergy and religious instruction. It highlights the parish visitors’ missionary work through personal contact and friendly home visits, fostering devotion and supporting Catholic faith amid proselytization risks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

THE PARISH VISITOR

Contents

Making friends

(Continued on page 8)

MAR 16.红 5555 g 5 比 VOL.XXXIV-~THE~~NO.3 PARISH VISITOR Saint JosephNumber THE DIVINE VISITATIONBehold,I Stand at the Door and Knock March,1958 ( eE e CONTENTS of THE PARISH VISITOR March, 1958 VHERE SAINT JoSEPII Is SAN JosE. -… FRIEND OF THE FAMILY ………………………………… …………………………10 SAINT JoSEPII, HoUSING ADAINISTRATOR Sister Mary Stella.P.V.M.I. 12 ANGELO THE AMBITIOUS …………………SisterMaryBenilde.P.V.M.I.14 UPHILI. WoR……………………………………………SisterMaryLeona,P.V..I.15 …………1S SALUTE To MILWAUKEE …………………………………… FRIENDS OF SAINT JoSEPI………………………………………… SrGNs OF SPRING……………………………SisterMaryMadalcvc.P.V.M.I.23 LETTER To PEGCY…………………………………… ……………………………………24 VEEKEND WITH MARY…………………………………… ………………………………=S LENTEN SACRIFICE……………………………………… 31 Pictnre credit:Pp.6-7.Eilccn Darby. Graphic Ieusc. # THE PARISH VISITOR The Official Organ of THE PARISH VISITORS of MARY IMMACULATE A Religious Community of Home Missionary Sistersand Catechists Saint JosephNumber MARCH,1958 Single copies at 25 cents a copy.Annual subscription $2.00.Publishedmonthly except July and August.The Parish Visitors of Mary Immacu-late,publishers.Publication Office,Craftsmen,Inc.,307-11 Main Street,Kutztown,Pennsylvania.Printed in the United States of America.Copy-right 1958 by the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate.Entered asSecond-Class matter at the Post Office at Kutztown,Pennsylvania,underthe Act of March 3,1879. Address Box 535,Monroe,New York Nhee Saint ls San Be he Saint Joseph orSan José,hc is belovedby his Spanish-speakingchildren,now a fast-growing part of some ofour largest cities. Little Pablo spends his playtime onthe broken stcps of a New York tene-ment,playing his toy xylophone.But that holy picture tucked in hisshirt pocket means that Sister hasfound his family,and that theirspiritual heritagc of the CatholicFaith will be safeguarded here in thencw land. One of the most remarkable migrations in our country's history has beentaking place since the end of the second World War.It has brought tothe heart of our largest eastern cities more than seven hundred thousandSpanish-speaking peoplc,both from our island possessions and from otherSpanish-speaking countries of the western hemisphere. They have come,as the forefathers of all of us had come before them,their hearts filled with the hope of new opportunities,new freedoms,new happiness.In most cases,it is not riches they are seeking,but equality-a chance to earn enough to live as human beings have a right to live,with a modicum of dignity and comfort and a chance to educate theirchildren to a decent Christian life. In their own countries,they,if they were poor,and most of them were,could look forward to little or no advancement in living conditions,sincethe sharply-defined class system and the lack of educational opportunities,left them no opening for better things.So,they have come,borrowingpassage from some friend or relative who has come before them,desper-ately eager to find their place in this land of promise,this country blessedby God with riches of industry and resources,and the greater riches ofliberty and democracy. PARISH VISITOR To many,it has proved just that.Thousands have obtained jobs,learnedthe language,moved their families to some one of the many attractivehousing developments in the suburbs.The fact that the Dioceses ofBrooklyn and Rockville Center report about 100,000 Spanish-speakingpeople bears this out. But to many more,things have not turned out so well.Morc than 500,000have staycd right in thc New York Archdiocese,30,000 more are in Chi-cago,another 20,00o in Philadelphia,12,000 in Bridgeport,and another 40,0oo in other urban centers.This means that they have been,too often.forced to find shelter in the poorest and dirtiest and most dangerous slunsthese cities have,and have been so overcharged by unscrupulous land-lords that whole families are jammed into a hall bedroom,wit

FAQs

What migration is discussed in this issue of THE PARISH VISITOR?

It discusses the post-World War II migration of Spanish-speaking people to major eastern U.S. cities, including those from island possessions and other Spanish-speaking countries.

Why does the document say religious instruction is limited for many immigrants?

It states that there has been a shortage of religious vocations in their countries for centuries, so deprived of priests many people know little of Catholic duties and privileges.

How do parish visiting sisters reach out to Spanish-speaking families?

They emphasize personal contact and home visits, using Spanish naming and friendly knocking or ringing so families recognize the sisters as part of the Church community.

Sep 29, 2026

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