Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Today, June 1st, is the feast of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, former Bishop of Piacenza and founder of the Missionary Sisters and the Scalabrinian Missionaries, as well as inspirer of the Institute of the Scalabrinian Secular Missionaries. This year the celebration has a very special characteristic because it marks the 125th anniversary of the Foundation of the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters. A congregational jubilee that falls at an important historical moment: the Covid pandemic, issues related to migration, a new reflection on the role of humanity still plagued by wars and conflicts that push people to migrate. "Scalabrini walked humbly, with a far-sighted gaze, allowing himself to be questioned by migrant humanity because he was convinced that God acts in history with them and through them - explains Sister Neusa de Fatima Mariano, superior general of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo/Scalabrinians, in the note sent to Fides -. Even today, thanks to Scalabrini’s example, we sisters are called once again to make Scalabrinian creativity flourish, together with migrants and refugees. Scalabrini inspires us on how to continue serving migrants, doing everything to everyone".
It is no coincidence that Monsignor Scalabrini is called the "Apostle of migrants", precisely because of his commitment to support those who left Italy for the Americas, to seek fortune, between the second half of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. For Sister Neusa, "it is necessary to accept with renewed ardor the appeal of Pope Francis expressed in his message for this year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees, when he says "I make this appeal to journey together towards an ever wider “we” to all men and women, for the sake of renewing the human family, building together a future of justice and peace, and ensuring that no one is left behind". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 1/6/2021)
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