AMERICA/BRAZIL - Beatification of the co-founder of the Scalabrinians: "May the whole Church be missionary of truth, mother Assunta did it"

Sao Paulo (Agenzia Fides) – On October 25, 2014 at São Paulo Cathedral Brazil, the beatification of Mother Assunta Marchetti Co-Foundress of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo – Scalabrinians was held in the presence of thousands of people. "May the whole Church be missionary of truth. Mother Assunta did it and she was close to the poor and orphans", said Cardinal Odilo Scherer, Archbishop of San Paolo, who celebrated the Mass, while the rite of beatification was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Sister Assunta Marchetti "was an extraordinary Christian, who lived her faith, her hope and her charity in an exemplary manner - said the Cardinal -. She was a strong woman, motivated by her faith in God and love towards her neighbor. Today we are witnessing new migration flows worldwide. The example of Mother Assunta teaches us to welcome migrants with the words of Jesus, 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me'. "
According to information sent to Fides Agency by the Scalabrini Sisters, Sister Assunta Marchetti was born in August 1871 in Lombrici di Camaiore, in the province of Lucca, left for Brazil as a missionary at the age of 24, at the invitation of her brother priest, to support orphans and migrants. She dedicated herself with tenderness to the care of the smallest among the orphans, the poor, the sick and the migrants. A wound in her leg caused her great suffering until her death on July 1, 1948. Currently the Scalabrini work among migrants in 25 countries around the world. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2014)