The Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo, also known as the Scalabrinian Missionaries, are a Roman Catholic religious institute of priests and brothers founded by Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza, which was approved in principle by Pope Leo XIII in 1887, and officially in 1908. Also part of the Scalabrinian Family of religious institutes are the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo, founded in 1895, and the Secular Institute of the Scalabrinian Missionary Women, founded in 1961. Also associated with the Scalabrinians is the Scalabrini International Migration Network, an umbrella organization established in 2005 by the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo, which collaborates with several entities that advocate for the rights and welfare of migrants around the world. The chief objective of the Scalabrinians are to provide aid to migrants, refugees, and other displaced people. The Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo was approved by Pope Leo XII in 1887, originally in order to minister to the needs of Italian emigrants to the United States and Canada. Originally, Bishop Scalabrini created the Christopher Columbus Apostolic Institution, which formed the nucleus of the congregation that was later named Missionaries of Saint Charles Borromeo, its primary aim to maintain Catholic faith and practice among Italian emigrants in the New World, and to ensure their welfare. The Scalabrinians provided priests for emigrants who were settling in areas where there was not otherwise a Catholic presence, and offered direction for those who were arriving in foreign ports. Later, the Scalabrinians established churches, schools and missions to Central and South America, and trained young people for the priesthood. Today, the Scalabrinians are an international congregation of religious serving migrants and refugees in more than thirty countries, and on five continents.
Recommended Resources
Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo
A historical sketch of the MSCS, also known as the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters, founded in 1895, is presented, including the charism that it shares with the rest of the Scalibrinian Family, that being service to, and advocacy for immigrants. An overview of the Catholic organization and its traditions is set forth, along with membership information and an archive of photographs.
http://www.scalabriniane.pcn.net/eng/
Province of Saint Charles Borromeo
Representing the Scalabrinian Fathers in East Canada, East United States, Columbia, Ecuador, Haiti, and Venezuela, the missionaries of Saint Charles are committed to the promotion of human dignity and to the rights of migrants. An overview of the congregation, its mission, locations, and contacts are posted, along with Scalabrinian textual content, and links to related sites.
http://scalabrinisaintcharles.org/
Offering services for immigrants, the New York City facility is operated by the Scalabrinian missionaries, who offers low-cost legal assistance, assistance with filing immigration forms, immigration status consultations, language translations, immigration advocacy, citizenship classes, and referrals to social services. Its programs, resources and fees are put forth, along with hours and contacts.
http://www.scalabrinicenternyc.org/
Scalabrini International Migration Network
SIMN is an umbrella organization that was established by the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, the Scalabrinians, that collaborates with more than two hundred and fifty entities which serve and advocate for the rights and needs of migrants. Its history, vision, mission and leadership are defined, with an overview of its services and projects, locations, reports, and publications.
http://www.simn-global.org/
The Scalabrini Missionaries came to England in 1954, initially working amongst the Italian communities of Bedford, and later in Peterborough and London. A history and overview of its work in England is set forth, including its locations, activities, Mass services, and hospitality centers and hostels. Other resources include a gallery of photographs, announcements, and contacts.
http://www.scalabrinilondon.co.uk/
Headquartered in Oak Park, Illinois, the Mission Office has the responsibility for funding the work of the Scalabrinians in the Province of Saint John the Baptist, supporting its missions, ministries, formation programs, seminarians, building projects, and retired missionaries. An overview of its work is set forth, including information about planned gift giving, and an appeal for donations through the site.
http://www.scalabrinimissionoffice.org/
The Province of Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini encompasses Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The international congregation and its founder are featured, with an overview of the Asia-Pacific Province, including its missionaries, locations, migration services, and projects. Vocations and membership information is discussed, including the formation process. Donations may be made online.
http://www.scalabrini.asn.au/
The missionary focus of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, also known as the Scalabrinians, has always been to the migrants, providing shelters along the borders between countries, sheltering migrants in their parishes, welcoming refugees, and collaborating with other institutions on migration issues, as well as promoting awareness of migrant issues.
http://www.vocations4migrants.org/
