THE SCALABRINIAN SPIRITUALITY
The profound causes that compel people to move inspired J.B.
Scalabrini to become involved in the reality of migration and to invite others to follow
him on this issue. He did it because he saw injustice in the way migrants were treated,
because he was concerned for their spiritual and cultural conditions, and because he was
convinced that through migrations better relations were being forged among individual and
nations.
After many years, the profound causes for the movement of people have not changed
much. Migrants were then called the children of indigence. They still are the children of
indigence. Following the example of their Founder, the Scalabrinians continue to denounce
the casues of migration and work to ensure that the human rights of migrants are fully
respected. They remain particularly sensitive to the protection and promotion of the
cultural values of migrants and to the appreciation of opportunities for dialogue.
The Scalabrinians work for justice and the possibility that migrants have an
opportunity to seek development in life. But they remain convinced that true development
originates from the spirit. Economic achievement is not the ultimate goal in life.
The true objective in life is to become what we are, children of God, no more scattered
but reunited in one family. Dispersed migrants long for community and in building
community the Scalabrinians contribute to advance in the direction of fulfillment and joy.
Aware that they are a little group, the Scalabrinians pursue their mission with
humility, thankful that many others are committed to the same ideals, and aware that no
achievement is permanent as we struggle toward the Promised Land.
