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Saint Raphael Society is another clear example of St. Scalabrini's great heart, including Lay People in all types of his ministry. Two centuries ago, migrants from Europe were moving in millions to North America. They were victims of many social and political needs. The Italian migrants were among them all. St. Scalabrini was inspired by other European nations, who founded the Saint Raphael Society to support their nationals.
Above all, our holy Founder received information about how badly and miserably the Italian migrants were treated in the Port of embarkation, Genova, and the Port of disembarkation New York, Ellis Island. Fr, Maldotti with another two priests was assigned to the Port of Genova. Fr. Bandini and Fr. Gambera to the Port of New York, specifically to Ellis Island, the triage point. The mafia of human flesh, according to St. Scalabrini, was very active.
In both ports, sucking the blood of these poor migrants. Terrible experience St. Raphael Society inspired St. Scalabrini., composed of priests and lay volunteers. Fr. Maldotti with his strong character was able to dismantle part of this mafia. Likewise, Fr. Bandini and Fr. Gambera, acted on Ellis Island The action of these two missionaries and the volunteers was proven so beneficial that U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and the U.S. Commissioner of Migration, visiting Ellis Island, ordered the dissolve all the others helping groups, less...less the Italian one.
In the journey of our Congregation, Saint Raphael Society branched out into the Scalabrinian Lay Missionaries. The General Chapter of 1996 recovered the mind of our holy Founder, revitalizing and encouraging the ministry of the Saint Raphael Society. Today, our Congregation and all our Provinces and Regions continue to keep alive this Scalabrinian charism.
The late Fr. Benniamino Rossi, is an icon of this charism. Fr. Beniammino wrote a book, researching and updating the ministry of Lay People in our Congregation. As his legacy, Fr. Beniammino Rossi died in Haiti, with a group of European volunteers, helping the catastrophic victims of an earthquake, that killed more than 400.000 Haitians.
Our Provincial Scalabrinian Lay Missionaries Secretariat is inviting all of us, mainly the Vocation Promoters to keep announcing the ministry. Publicize and invite Lay Persons to move into this Scalabrinian ministry.
Fr. Alvirio Mores, cs
Provincial coordinator of the Scalabrinian Lay