Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini - June 1

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2 4 565Jun 1, 2018

Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini - June 1
Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini (8 July 1839 – 1 June 1905) was an Italian Roman Catholic prelate and the Bishop of Piacenza from 1876 until his death; he was the founder of both the Missionaries of Saint Charles and the Mission Sisters of Saint Charles. Scalabrini's rise to the episcopate came at a rapid pace after giving a series of lectures on the First Vatican Council in 1872 and his staunch dedication to catechism which led Pope Pius IX to dub him as the "Apostle of the Catechism"; successive popes Leo XIII and Pius X held him in incredible esteem and both failed to convince him accept archdioceses or the cardinalate. He made five pastoral visits across his diocese which proved to be an exhaustive but effective mission of evangelization and his efforts at reforming seminaries and pastoral initiatives earned him praise even from the secular detractors who criticized him for his strict obedience to the pope.
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199May 31

Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini - June 1
John Baptist Scalabrini
Apostle of the Catechism
Father of Migrants
Memorial
1 June
Profile
Third of eight children in a deeply religious family. Studied philosophy and theology at the seminary at Como, Italy. Ordained on 30 May 1863. Professor and rector of Saint Abundius Seminary. Pastor of Saint Bartholomew‘s Church in 1870. Bishop of Piacenza, Italy on 30 January 1876 at age 36.
Conducted diocesan visitation five times, visiting all 365 parishes, half of which could only be reached by foot or mule. Celebrated three Synods, one of which was dedicated to the Eucharist. Encouraged frequent Communion and perpetual adoration. Reorganized seminaries and reformed their curricula, anticipating the Thomistic reform of Pope Leo XIII. Preacher, teaching always to love the Pope and the Church.
Worked with cholera victims, visited the sick and prisoners, helped the poor and bankrupt nobility. Saved thousands of farmers and workers from famine, selling his horse, chalice, and the pectoral cross that Blessed Pope Pius IX had given him in order to buy food. Founded an institute to help hearing and speech-impaired women. Organized assistance for young single women employed in rice fields. Established mutual aid societies, workers‘ associations, rural banks, cooperatives, and Catholic Action groups. Ordered that catechism be taught in all parishes. Planned and presided over the first National Catechetical Congress in 1889.
He was convinced that devotion to religion and one’s country could be reconciled in the hearts of Italians. Promoted reconciliation between Church and State, and helped solve a painful moral dilemma for Italian Catholics. He aimed at preparing this religious reconciliation on a practical level, combining religious belief and patriotic love in his work with migrants. Worked with millions of Italians forced to emigrate, often in dire conditions, always in danger of losing their faith and their attachment to religious practice.
With the approval of Pope Leo XIII, on 28 November 1887 he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles (Scalabrinians) for religious, moral, social and legal care of migrants. Convinced Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Mother of Migrants, to leave for America in 1889 to care for children, orphans and sick Italian migrants. In 1895 founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles for migrants. Even the sister Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were encouraged to care for migrants. His spirituality and his love for migrants inspired the Scalabrinian Lay Missionary Women.
John was devoted to the Eucharist and spent hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, to Our Lady, preaching many Marian homilies, and making Marian pilgrimages. His last conscious words were, “Lord, I am ready, Let us go”.
Born
8 July 1839 at Fino Mornasco, Como, Italy
Died
dawn 1 June 1905, feast of the Ascension of the Lord
Venerated
16 March 1987 by Pope John Paul II (decree of heroic virtues)
Beatified
9 November 1997 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized
9 October 2022 by Pope Francis
Patronage
Scalabrinians

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92May 21, 2022

Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini - June 1
Pope Francis approves canonization of two Blesseds - Vatican News

Irapuato

Jun 2, 2019

Wayside Shrine Maker

www.waysideshrines.com

Wayside Shrine Maker

Jun 2, 2019

Blessed Scalabrini is the patron saint of our shrine making apostolate. He is known to have had errected many wayside shrines throughout his diocese to reach the attention of those who might otherwise not be reached. His picture painting is in my shop and I look for him for inspiration and customers often. Thank you on behalf of wasideshrines.com Please continue to help us. Please God, thank You.

Irapuato

Jun 1, 2019

Prayhard

Irapuato

Jun 1, 2018