Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini

Biography

Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, also known as John Baptist Scalabrini, was born on 8 July 1839 in Fino Mornasco, Como, Italy. He was the third of eight children in a deeply religious family. From a young age, Scalabrini was nurtured in a devout environment which had a lasting impact on his spiritual development. He pursued his education in philosophy and theology at the seminary in Como. After completing his studies, Scalabrini was ordained as a priest on 30 May 1863. He began his ministry as a professor and later became the rector of the Saint Abundius Seminary. In 1870, Scalabrini was assigned as the pastor of Saint Bartholomew’s Church. During this time, he demonstrated a strong commitment to his flock, showing great compassion and care for his parishioners. His dedication to preaching the Gospel and his teachings on love for the Pope and the Church left a lasting impact on those who came into contact with him. On 30 January 1876, at the age of 36, Scalabrini was consecrated as the Bishop of Piacenza, Italy. As bishop, he embarked on a series of important initiatives aimed at fostering spiritual renewal and social justice. He conducted diocesan visitations five times, visiting all 365 parishes, even those that were difficult to access. Scalabrini celebrated three Synods, one of which was dedicated to the Eucharist. He encouraged frequent Communion and the practice of perpetual adoration. Scalabrini also implemented structural reforms within the Church. He reorganized seminaries and revamped their curricula, anticipating the Thomistic reform advocated by Pope Leo XIII. His commitment to the education and formation of future priests was paramount, as he believed in the importance of a solid theological foundation for the ordained clergy. Inspired by his deep faith and social consciousness, Scalabrini dedicated himself to helping the most vulnerable in society. He worked alongside cholera victims, visited the sick and prisoners, and extended assistance to those facing poverty. In times of famine, he sold his personal belongings, including his horse, chalice, and even the pectoral cross given to him by Blessed Pope Pius IX, in order to provide food for thousands of farmers and workers. Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini also had a special concern for the marginalized groups in society, especially migrants. Realizing the challenges faced by Italian migrants, he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles (Scalabrinians) on 28 November 1887. This religious order aimed to provide religious, moral, social, and legal care to migrants. Scalabrini firmly believed that devotion to both religion and one's country were not mutually exclusive, and he worked to reconcile this belief in the hearts of Italians. In 1889, Scalabrini convinced Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, known as the Mother of Migrants, to travel to America and care for Italian migrants, particularly children, orphans, and the sick. He also founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles for migrants in 1895. Scalabrini's dedication to addressing the spiritual and practical needs of migrants inspired not only religious orders but also lay missionary groups to engage in this important work. Scalabrini's devotion to the Eucharist was central to his spiritual life. He spent hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and had a deep Marian devotion, often preaching heartfelt homilies on the Blessed Virgin Mary and making pilgrimages in her honor. Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini died at dawn on 1 June 1905, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord. His last conscious words were, "Lord, I am ready, Let us go." Recognizing his holiness and the impact of his ministry, Pope John Paul II declared Scalabrini's heroic virtues on 16 March 1987. He was beatified on 9 November 1997 by Pope John Paul II and was ultimately canonized on 9 October 2022 by Pope Francis. Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini is honored as the patron saint of the Scalabrinians, a religious congregation he founded, and his legacy continues to inspire individuals and groups dedicated to the missionary and pastoral care of migrants.