Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini (1839-1905) was an Italian priest, bishop, and founder of the Missionaries of St. Charles, also known as the Scalabrinian Fathers. He worked tirelessly to assist Italian immigrants in the United States and Latin America during the late 19th century, providing them with pastoral care, education, and social support.
Scalabrini was born in Fino Mornasco, Lombardy, Italy, on July 8, 1839, and was ordained a priest in 1863. He was soon appointed to be the spiritual director of the Pio Istituto di Carità, a charity that cared for orphaned and abandoned children. In this capacity, he developed a great love for the poor and those who were suffering in his community.
Scalabrini’s fame as a visionary and dynamic leader spread quickly, and he was appointed bishop of Piacenza in 1882. He took on his new duties with great fervor, and soon became known as the “Bishop of the Immigrants,” due to his zealous advocacy on behalf of those who were poor and marginalized.
Scalabrini was particularly devoted to the plight of Italian immigrants who had come to the United States in search of a better life. In 1887, he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles, which was dedicated to the pastoral care of migrants and refugees.
Scalabrini’s work among the Italian immigrants in America was pioneering. In a time when newly arrived immigrants were viewed with suspicion and prejudice, Scalabrini tirelessly worked to improve their lot. He founded parishes, schools, and hospitals to serve the growing Italian community and offered pastoral care for those in need. His mission was to help Italian immigrants integrate into American society without losing their sense of identity and culture.
Scalabrini’s work was not limited to the United States. He was also deeply concerned about the welfare of Italian immigrants in Latin America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. In these countries, he founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages, and worked to alleviate the social and economic challenges facing Italian immigrants.
Scalabrini’s work among immigrants and refugees was motivated by his deep and abiding faith in God, and his commitment to the Gospel message. He believed that every person, regardless of their background or social status, had inherent dignity and was deserving of love and respect.
Today, we live in a world that is more interconnected and diverse than ever before. We face many of the same challenges that Scalabrini tackled over a century ago – the rising tide of xenophobia, poverty, and marginalization. In this context, Scalabrini’s message of compassion, solidarity, and respect for all people is more relevant than ever before.
We can learn many lessons from the life and work of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini. He teaches us that we must never lose sight of the inherent dignity of all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. He shows us that we must be willing to go beyond our comfort zones and reach out to those who are most in need. And he reminds us that our faith should inspire us to action, to work tirelessly to create a more just and compassionate world.
In conclusion, Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini is a saint for our times, a true model of pastoral care and social engagement. His tireless work on behalf of immigrants and refugees, especially in the United States and Latin America, teaches us that we must never lose sight of the human face of those facing social, economic and marginalization or forget our duty to advocate for their rights. In a world that is often divided by differences, Scalabrini’s message of love, unity and compassion remains an enduring inspiration.