FANCIULLI DI AZIONE CATTOLICA. — Toward the end of 1925, at the wish of His Holiness Pio XI, the Association of Fanciulli di Azione Cattolica was founded and entrusted to the U. Donne di A. C. At first it brought together children from 6 to 12 years of age; subsequently, the Bambini di Azione Cattolica, aged 4 to 6, joined it, and the “transfer” to the “aspirants” of the Gioventù Italiana di Azione Cattolica was set at the completion of the tenth year.
The purpose of the new Association was to complete the religious, moral, and social formation of the children and to initiate them into the apostolate, preparing the future young members of Catholic Action.
For this educational purpose, the children are divided into three sections: “White Flames” (from 4 to 6 years), “Green Flames” (from 6 to 8 years), and “Red Flames” (from 8 to 10 years); the parish delegates entrusted with them follow the “active method” in educating the children, carrying out a program full of ingenious initiatives.
Upon receiving his membership card, the child of Catholic Action makes the solemn promise to serve God, the Church, and the Fatherland; he also undertakes to observe the “Law” and to be a little apostle of Jesus Christ. The “Law” requires the child to remain always pure in soul and body, loyal to everyone, courageous in trials, and joyful in the fulfillment of duty. He must attend catechism lessons and the special meetings which gradually instill in him a Christ-centered and social formation, appropriately following the various seasons of the liturgical year. The activity of the Association of Fanciulli has nothing burdensome or forced about it, but takes place in an atmosphere of serene cheerfulness, with competitions, contests, and various interesting initiatives. The winners of the diocesan qualifying competitions in study and activity are entitled to the “Rome Prize,” that is, a free three-day trip and stay in Rome, during which they are received in audience by the Holy Father. On those days they may also compete for the highly coveted prize of “Heralds of the Pope” (one per region), who are decorated with the “Herald’s Cross” by the very hands of the Holy Father.
The Fanciulli di Azione Cattolica also have a special organizational press (Fiamme Tricolori, a fortnightly for children; Noi Delegate, a monthly for delegates), as well as Corrierino, an illustrated weekly for outreach, and numerous series of books for formation and pleasant reading.
Within a few years, the Association of Fanciulli di Azione Cattolica aroused such interest that it acquired a very large membership, which is still continually increasing. In 1936, the tenth anniversary of its foundation was solemnly celebrated, and in 1952, its twenty-fifth.