Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Solothurn (Agenzia Fides) - On July 25, 2011 the Scalabrinian will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Secular Institute of the Scalabrinian Secular Missionary women. The Institute was founded in Solothurn, Switzerland on July 25, 1961 with the “yes” of Adelia Firetti, a young teacher from Piacenza, a yes of complete trust in God (see Sulle strade dell’esodo 3 / 2010, periodical of the Scalabrinian Secular Missionaries, www.scala-mss.net, as well as the Dossier Fides of 4th July 2005). The community of the Missionaries moved its first steps in a migration context and in collaboration with the Scalabrinian Missionaries. This new charisma in the Scalabrinian Family, which includes first of all the two congregations founded by Blessed G.B. Scalabrini- the Scalabrini Missionaries and the Scalabrinian Sisters - received the Church’s first approval in 1967 and the final recognition as a Secular Institute in 1990.
The missionaries live their consecration to God and their Scalabrinian inspiration as lay women in the ordinary contexts of society, through different kinds of professions (in the social, cultural, pastoral, educational, health care, and artistic fields,)and commitments awakening public opinion in favor of migrants and refugees. Their secular consecration leads them to share the difficulties of migrants and refugees carried by the hope that the Crucified and Risen Christ’s paschal mystery is at work within mankind opening the way for a new Pentecost of nations.
At present the Missionaries are from nine countries and operate in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Brazil and Mexico. Living in small international communities, laboratories of new Eucharist-based relationships, they are called to bear witness that acceptance and dialogue among diversities are possible with the strength of the Gospel, making room for the gift of communion. Through the project of the International Formation Centres "G.B. Scalabrini" this experience is shared also with young people and friends of many different countries, cultures and religions.
The most important events of this jubilee year have been the pilgrimage of all Missionaries to Rome including the audience with the Pope (28th-31st December 2010), the Scalabrini-Fest in Solothurn with 400 participants from 33 countries (29th April – 1st May 2011) and the meeting of the Generals Councils of the three Institutes of the Scalabrinian Family in Solothurn (15th-18th June 2011). (LD/SL) (Agenzia Fides 07/23/2011)
