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"I was a stranger, and you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35). This is guiding motto that we, Scalabrinian missionaries have been carried over 130 years across the globe to bring the Gospel of hope for the people on the move especially the migrants, seafarers, and refugees. Today, we celebrate the 137th Foundation Anniversary with great joy in God who gives inspiration to our Founder St. Scalabrini for the charism to serve the migrants. But who are we as Scalabrinan missionaries? What is the inspiration of our founder to the charism of the migrants? What is our mission today? And where are we in the world nowadays? This short article would be a answer for these question.
1. Who Are We?
We are the Scalabrinian Missionaries, officially known as the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles. As an apostolic community, we share in Christ’s ongoing missionary activity in the Church, working to fulfill God’s plan in the world. Our calling is unique: we announce the mystery of salvation to the world of migration. This is why we are often called "Missionaries for the Migrants."
2. Who is Our Founder?
Our founder, St. John Baptist Scalabrini, was described by Pope Francis as the "Father to Migrants." Born in Fino Mornasco, Italy, on July 8, 1839, Scalabrini became a priest at 24 and a bishop of Piacenza by 36.
One time, he passed by the Milan train station. He saw many people with worries and anxieties waiting for their turn to go to America. Seeing this scene, he visioned many struggles and difficulties waiting for them ahead in the new country. He asked himself: “What can be done for them?
Then, he studied migration, advocated for better emigration laws, and urged the Church to take an active role in caring for migrants. On November 28, 1887, with papal approval, he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles with the mission to protect, serve, and evangelize migrants.
3. What is Our Mission today?
Inspired by St. John Baptist Scalabrini's vision, we embrace a dual mission from the Church: first, to "become migrants with the migrants," walking alongside them to help build a Church that stands in solidarity with their suffering; second, to help others see Christ in their migrant brothers and sisters, recognizing migration as a reflection of humanity's eternal journey toward God.
To carry out this mission, we provide offering spiritual support, advocating for migrant rights, and providing care through our parishes, shelters, and Stella Maris centers. We have also research centers to study about migration so as to have better understanding about migration and serve effectively. We also cooperate with Bishop Conference in many countries for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
4. Where are we in the World?
Today, Scalabrinians are active in more than 30 countries across five continents. Wherever migrants are, we are there from Italy to Latin America, Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. In Asia, we are present in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and the Philippines.
Conclusion
Today, migrants continue to face exploitation, discrimination, and isolation in many places around the world. Scalabrinians are trying to respond with a message of hope. Our goal is to build bridges among people. We strive to live the Gospel of love and hope, ensuring that everyone we serve, feels welcomed, valued, and supported, regardless of their origins. We see Christ in the migrants and those we meet and serve. We do this because we are trying to respond to the invitation of Jesus: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35).
If you want to see Jesus in the migrants and bring the Gospel of hope to them, why not to become a Scalabrinian?
JB
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