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Inspired by the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 2025 jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope”, more than 50 Scalabrinian Religious priests and deacons gathered at the “ “Liverpool Catholic Center”, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, from the 8th to the 12th of April 2024, for the 55th Provincial Assembly of the Saint Frances Cabrini Province of the Missionaries of Saint Charles – Scalabrinians.
Carrying with them dreams and struggles, challenges and achievements, joys and sorrows, projects and above all hopes, the missionaries arrived from Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Taiwan (present via online) and different locations in Australia, where the Scalabrinian Missionaries devote themselves to journey with millions of migrants, refugees, seafarers and other categories of people on the move.
Besides listening and discussing the state of the Province, the participants had the opportunity of reflecting on the questionnaire of preparation for the XVI general chapter, to be held in Rome at the end of this year. As pilgrims of hope the participants had the opportunity of sharing their personal experience of life. Particularly touching were the testimonies of those who were celebrating their 50th and 25th anniversary of priestly ordination, as well as the enthusiasm and joy brought by the students of the different Scalabrinian houses of formation, the new and future blood of the Congregation.
The encounter with many migrants in two of the Parishes under the pastoral care of the Scalabrinian Congregation in the Sydney Metropolitan area was another highlight of such an intense and exiting week.
After 4 full days of encounter and sharing, recharged with new energies and new reasons for hoping, the missionaries made their way back to their missions and will continue journeying, accompanying and serving all the people entrusting to their spiritual guidance and pastoral care. The pilgrimage of hope will continue with the inspiration and guidance of Saint John Baptist Scalabrini and Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pioneers of charity and true apostles of hope.
