Convocation

CONVOCATION

To the Missionaries of St. Charles – Scalabrinians
To the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles – Scalabrinians
To the Secular Scalabrinian Missionaries

October 4, 2021

Dearly beloved
November 9, 2022 will mark the 25th anniversary of the beatification of John Baptist Scalabrini. We still remember with joy that day when the Church recognized him as an exemplary witness of Christian life. We recall the words with which John Paul II presented him: “Deeply in love with God and extraordinarily devoted to the Eucharist, he knew how to translate contemplation of God and his mystery into intense apostolic and missionary action, making himself all things to all people in order to proclaim the Gospel. This burning passion of his for the Kingdom of God made him zealous in catechesis, pastoral activities and charitable action especially toward the most needy.”
For us, who recognize him as founder and inspirer, the beatification of G.B. Scalabrini is not just a remembrance. It is first of all an invitation to follow in his footsteps, “May I sanctify myself and sanctify all the souls entrusted to me.” It is then a commitment to make him known, to talk about him, to tell of his passion for migrants so that others may feel the same passion and intervene, at all levels, in the Church and in society, in favor of these brothers and sisters whom life has uprooted and dispersed. Finally, it is a call to ask for his intercession for the mission that the Church has entrusted to our Institutes, for the growth in faith of those with whom we share the Word, for the promotion of the welcome of those who are far from their land and family.
We take this circumstance to intensify our prayers and initiatives so that Blessed G.B. Scalabrini may be proclaimed a saint: a proclamation to give glory to God and to make his witness as a missionary bishop, voice for those who have no voice, help for those in need, inspirer for those who feel they are giving their lives to Christ alongside migrants, refugees and seafarers, shine with greater prominence.
To this end, we are indicating, with the sponsorship of the Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio, a “Scalabrinian Year” that will begin on Sunday, November 7, 2021, and end on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. The theme of the Scalabrinian Year is: Making the World Man’s Homeland, a theme that is in line with the recent teaching of Pope Francis. We invite everyone to collaborate by involving the local Church, members of our institutes, various groups of lay Scalabrinians and migrant communities to promote initiatives while also taking advantage of the suggestions that will be offered and that can be multiplied in the various contexts in which we carry out our mission.
May the Holy Spirit, who guided Blessed Scalabrini on the many paths explored by his immensely charitable heart, guide so that we may grow without measure in charity.
In communion of faith and charism,

P. Leonir Chiarello, cs – Superiore generale

Sr. Neusa de Fatima Mariano, mscs – Superiora generale Responsabile generale

Regina Widmann, mss – Responsabile generale