St. John Baptist Scalabrini, an Italian bishop from Piacenza, dedicated his life to serving and advocating for migrants. His legacy continues to inspire and guide the work of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles, commonly known as Scalabrinians, who are active in 33 countries worldwide.

Born on July 8, 1839, Scalabrini founded the Missionaries of Saint Charles to provide social and pastoral support to migrants. Scalabrini also held the first National Catechetical Congress in 1889. Pope Pius IX referred to him as the "Apostle of the Catechism." 

Scalabrini's mission was to preach the Gospel without distinction, seek unity in truth, and serve the poor, sick, orphan, blind, deaf and mute, imprisoned, and especially migrants. Witnessing the plight of hundreds of emigrants in the Milan Station leaving his diocese to go to the Americas, he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries Fathers of Saint Charles Borromeo and the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo to provide support to migrants.  

On June 1, 1905, Scalabrini passed away, but his mission has continued through the Scalabrinian Missionary work which includes supporting and promoting the human rights of migrants, conducting research on migration phenomena, offering pastoral services in multicultural parishes, among other services. 

During the canonization of Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini on October 9, 2022, Fr. Leonir Chiarello, the superior general of the Scalabrinians, urged people to not remain indifferent but to instead embrace the joyous occasion of Scalabrini's canonization and take responsibility. “Therefore, besides being for us a reason for joy, the canonization of John Baptist Scalabrini is a responsibility for us. The responsibility to allow ourselves to be moved, so as not to become victims of the indifference that characterizes so much of our time. The responsibility then not to have a sterile emotion, but an active one that becomes the capacity to remedy the injustices we see.”. 

Pope Francis has also been a vocal advocate for migrants, urging society to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate them. 

Today, the Scalabrinians continue their mission in 33 nations, providing social and pastoral support to seafarers, refugees, and migrants, especially those most in need. As we face similar migration challenges that Scalabrini did, let us pray for his intercession to defend the fundamental rights of migrants and help them live their commitments of the Christian faith. 

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