Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini

Father to the Migrants

(1839 – 1905)

Beatified by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on November 9, 1997, Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini is now recognized as a pioneer in many issues affecting today’s Church and society.

·         He evangelized by instilling renewed urgency and methods for the teaching of catechism to all age groups.

·         He reached out to the most neglected of his time and fed thousands daily during a period of famine in his city and diocese, selling all his possessions to meet the need.

·         Better known today for his abiding concern for migrants, Blessed Scalabrini challenged Church and State to provide legal and spiritual guidelines to protect and safeguard the migrants’ basic human rights.

·         In the end, he challenged himself, by founding two new religious Congregations for the sole purpose of assisting migrants.

·         For immediate assistance in the ports of departure and arrival, he established the Society of St. Raphael, composed entirely of lay volunteers.

·         Today, millions of migrants still walk the pathways of suffering and hope.  Reaching out to them is the Scalabrinians’ task and privilege.  In Blessed Scalabrini, the Church offers guidance and protection.

May Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, Father and Protector to the Migrants, bless and prosper all efforts to secure openness, welcome and respect for all migrants.