“In the beginning,” explains the head of the mission, Salesian Fr. Marek Chmielewski, “the Italian Mission was a homeland, a home, a church, a school, and an oratory. Italian immigrants arriving in the capital of Rhineland found a place where they could breathe the atmosphere of their homeland. Here, they could not only speak Italian but also their local dialect.”
Among the notable Italians who lived in the area long before the foundation of the Italian Catholic Mission (MCI) was Romano Guardini. Brought there by his parents in 1886 when he was just a year old, his father had been appointed Consul for Italy. Guardini studied at the Mainz diocesan seminary, where he was ordained a priest for the diocese. In 1916, he briefly served as assistant parish priest at St. Emmeran, which is now home to the Italian Catholic Mission. A city square is also dedicated to him.
At the Italian Catholic Mission, friends would meet, share information, assist each other in finding jobs and housing, and handle all bureaucratic matters. Over the years, Italian-origin priests, supported by lay staff and volunteers, have led the mission. Masses were celebrated in Italian, catechism classes were held, and families could pray and baptize their children in their native language.
“For many years”, explains Fr. Chmielewski, “the mission ran a kindergarten and an Italian school managed by religious sisters and laypeople. It was also a space for various activities, such as organizing theater performances, concerts, and film screenings,” he adds. “In addition, it offered German language courses for newcomers, Italian language courses for children born in Germany, and various prayer groups, Bible study meetings, Neocatechumenal groups, and sports activities”.
After sixty years, the Italian Catholic Mission “remains alive and continues to be a point of reference for many Italians in the area. This relationship, however, has evolved. Local Italians, along with their children and grandchildren, are well integrated into the local community. For this reason, the mission is no longer their sole point of reference, but it remains an important pillar of their religious life,” says Fr. Chmielewski
Many still attend liturgical celebrations, request Baptism, Confirmation, or First Communion for their children, and some couples seek sacramental marriage. “This is why we offer regular catechesis, involving more than 20 catechists. While many Italians today maintain only occasional contact with the Mission, it remains an institution that should continue to operate and be available. Its existence is a source of pride for many and strengthens their cultural and national identity. We are especially experiencing this now, as discussions about relocating the Mission's headquarters deeply affect our faithful. This place has long been a reliable point of reference for their religious and personal needs.”
What is the current Italian presence in the Mission’s territory?
The pastoral area of MCI Mainz covers the city and its surroundings within a 30-35 km radius, including the villages of Bingen, Oppenheim, and Alzey. According to diocesan statistics, about 6,700 Italians live in this area. However, Fr. Chmielewski clarifies, “Italian children born in Germany are not officially counted as members of our Mission but belong to the local German-speaking parishes. This means the actual Italian population is significantly higher, including those who are not officially registered as Catholics (due to not paying the church tax) or those not registered anywhere. It is estimated that the total Italian population in the region could be as high as 9,000 or even 10,000 people.”
Anniversary Celebrations
Reflecting on this special anniversary, which coincides with the Jubilee of Hope, Fr. Chmielewski concludes:
“Above all, the Jubilee has been an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to God for the Mission and its work. It was a time to reconnect with our roots, remembering people, institutions, and events. It was a moment of pride and celebration. We linked the jubilee celebrations to this year’s feast of Don Bosco. The Salesians have been serving the Mission since the 1980s, and their charism has become a permanent part of the local reality, giving the Mission its unique character.”
