There is an Italy that struggles to survive for the last seven days of the month: food consumption decreases in fact by 9%, from tinned tuna fish to cheese and salami, from oil to sugar to meat and even to bread and fresh milk. It has been revealed by research carried out by the Milan Chamber of Commerce, confirmed by some leading brands. The reason is clear by now: financial difficulties. The phenomenon is known as the "fourth week crisis". By an association of ideas, I thought of what is happening in America: no less than 65 of the 357 churches in the diocese of Boston will be forced to close down in the forthcoming months "for financial difficulties". a net decrease has been registered in the Sunday offerings. What can this Italy do, seeing its purchasing power reduced to the dimensions of the widow's mite? Will it have to close down, too?