scalabrinians-jas-2005. 26 no. 3 scalabrinians-jas... · 1905 2005 john baptist scalabrini...

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3 F A L L 2 0 0 4 S C A L A B R I N I A N S 3S C A L A B R I N I A N S 3

2 0 0 5 . V o l . 2 6 . N o . 3

A Publication of theMissionaries of St. Charles

(Scalabrinians) of the Provinces of St. Charles Borromeoand St. John the Baptist

•Editor

René Manenti, c.s.•

Editorial BoardFr. Andrew Brizzolara, c.s.

Ray GregoryLucie Mouro

Fr. Pat Murphy, c.s.•

Contributors to this issueRev. Andrew Brizzolara, c.s.

Rev. Florenzo Maria Rigoni, c.s.Rev. Sergio Dall’Agrese, c.s.

Cindy AmatoLinda Reeves

Fr. Mark Escobar, c.s.Fiore Bronga

•Designed by - Marketology, Inc.

•Copy Editor - Thomas M. Sullivan

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Mona Hesterhagen•

Secretary - Cindy Amato•

Printed byDodge Graphic Press, Utica, NY

•The Missionaries of

St. Charles (Scalabrinians) are a Roman Catholic community

of priests and brothersfounded in 1887 by Blessed

J. B. Scalabrini to share in the mission of the Church through a specific service to migrants

and refugees.•

Direct correspondence to:The Editor - Scalabrinians

209 Flagg PlaceStaten Island, NY 10304-1122

[email protected]

From the editor’s deskChristmas comes every year.

And with it, a season full ofblinding lights, shining shop-windows, sweet carols, warm-hearted sentiments …. AsChristmas nears, we find ourselves involved in a kind of crazy race to purchase gifts,

write cards, prepare our favorite holiday foods, and visit relatives and friends to bestow our pre-sents. At the very same time, we might experiencea sense of overwhelming emptiness because we areso frantically involved in the many activities thatwe’re unable to really enjoy what we are doing orwhat is happening around us.

I imagine a totally different scene in the mangerof Bethlehem …. A mom has just given birth toher first child. Together with her husband, shewraps him in warm clothes; and then she feedshim. They are savoring every single moment,amazed at what is happening and going on around them.

We would be wise to bring into our own livesthe manger of Bethlehem: the place in whichhuman relationships shaped by urgency, rush andefficiency yield to attention, kindness, compassion,and gentleness as the way to personally meet ourbrethren. These attitudes constitute for we Scal-abrinians, religious and lay people, the Evangelicalpath that leads us to serve our migrant brothersand sisters, following in the footsteps of BlessedJohn Baptist Scalabrini.

On behalf of the Editorial Board and staff of Scalabrinians, and our secretary, Cindy Amato, I wish you a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Father René, c.s.Editor

NEWNEWNEWNEW

Publications from the Center for Migration Studies

Place your orders atCenter for Migration Studies

209 Flagg Place, Staten Island, NY 10304-1122Tel: (718) 351-8800Fax: (718) 667-4598

E-mail: [email protected] visit us on-line

Website: http://www.cmsny.org

26 W I N T E R 2 0 0 5

Father Mark A. Escobar, c.s.

I remember back in the earlytimes, we used to say that “the worldsets the agenda” for us – as in school,in church, in our families, in our reli-gious congregations – butthat wasn’t quite right. Ibelieve God sets the agendafor us, and God’s love isfocused on the world. Fig-uratively, he doesn’t writein straight lines. He writesin crooked lines and someof these lines are likely ourown lives and witnesses.After all those years of hardwork and commitment,some of us claim that we’veaccomplished something.Yet much still remains to bedone to continue on ourjourney, no matter whatdifficulties we may have.Our experiences will determine whowe are and who we are to become.

From the life of our Founder,Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini,emanates the insight of faith and thecourage to extend the ideals of justice,

religious identity, freedom, and theculture to take a common solidaritywith, or in defense of, the oppressedand marginalized immigrants acrossthe globe. Implicit in his lookinginward as it says: “ubi episcopus, ibi

ecclesia” (where there is thebishop, there is thechurch), gives coherence towhat it truly means to bethe church of Christ –being in the world withothers. It leads one to con-nect between faith and life,between action and rela-tionship. In this case, how-ever, we emerge on explor-ing the untold wealth ofour mission experiences,our blessings and ourresponsibilities. OurFounder’s coat-of-armsabout Jacob’s dream: VideoDominum Innixum Scalae

(I behold God at the top of the lad-der) draws us to look into the mirrorof the gospel to see what this momenthas to say to us as we see him through

Saint Anthony’s Church in Valencia, Venezuela: artistic interpretation of Bishop J.B. Scalabrini Episcopal crest,

by Francesco Santoro.

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Provincial Experience

In Retrospect: 100 Years Ago

Benedict XVI - ANGELUS - Pope

Homily on The 100th Anniversary ofThe Death of

Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini

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9Blessed Scalabrini:

Celebration in New York

Our Lady Queen of Peace MissionGrows and Diversifies

26

In Praise of Father Ettore Ansaldi

22

Compassion and Solidarity (II part, continuing from the last Issue)

Cover Illustration: Ciscaro Production

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St. Peter’s Square Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last Friday we celebrated

the Solemnity of the Most SacredHeart of Jesus, a devotion that isdeeply rooted in the Christian people.In biblical language, “heart” indicatesthe center of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. In the Heart of the Redeemer weadore God’s love for humanity, His will for universal salvation, His infinite mercy.

Practicing devotion to the SacredHeart of Christ therefore means ador-ing that Heart which, after havingloved us to the end, was pierced by aspear and from high on the Cross

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poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life.

The feast of the Sacred Heart isalso World Day for the Sanctificationof Priests, a favorable opportunity topray that priests will put nothingbefore love of Christ. Blessed BishopGiovanni Battista Scalabrini, patronof migrants, was deeply devoted to theHeart of Christ; we commemoratedthe centenary of his death on June 1st.He founded the men and womenMissionaries of St. Charles Borromeo,known as the “Scalabrinians,” to proclaim the Gospel among Italian emigrants.

In recalling this great Bishop, I turn my thoughts to those who arefar from their homeland and alsooften from their family, and I hopethat on their way they will alwaysmeet friendly faces and welcominghearts that can sustain them in thedifficulties of daily life.

The heart that resembles that of Christ more than any other is,without a doubt, the Heart of Mary,His Immaculate Mother, and for thisvery reason the liturgy holds them up together for our veneration.Responding to the Virgin’s invitationat Fatima, let us entrust the wholeworld to her Immaculate Heart,which we contemplated yesterday in a special way, so that it may experience the merciful love of God and know true peace.

Copyright 2005 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana Available at: http://www.vatican.va

S C A L A B R I N I A N S 27

our congregation climbing the ladderto receive the many blessings fromGod. This is an inner vision withunending stories that speak volumesabout our transformation, rededica-tion and realigning to the weight ofthe past – who we have become asmissionaries for the migrants.

A story was told some years agoabout a certain mother of a priest whogave a bishop a small porcelain fig-urine of a bird. At the feet of the birdwas a cluster of multi-colored flowers.The priest’s mother said to the bishop,“I am giving you this bird so that youwill never forget that the church has a covenant with springtime.” We are all aware of the grow-ing complexity of theproblems and chal-lenges involved inour ministry.Many things weread contain dis-mal forecasts forthe future of thechurch. There aredivisions, tensions,animosities, injustices,and seemingly there is nospringtime. As we look at the porce-lain bird and the flowers, and remem-bering the church’s covenant withspringtime, we invite our people tolook with us at the Gospel the churchhas placed before us as we celebratethis year the opening of our Founder’scentennial death anniversary. We lookinto the soul of the gospel to see whatit has to say to us as we look back onehundred years. With our sense ofmeaning and deeper moral vision, weare faced with the signs of the times.

And some of these are signs of grace,opportunities, a defining experience,so to speak, particularly in our min-istry, the gift of our religious life orthe priesthood which we havereceived from Christ, about our livesas servants of God, and about ourrelationships as brothers in the con-gregation. These things lead us all tothe source of life and grace – our God,the author of all vocations.

Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini:Who was he?

For more than a century, theScalabrinians have shared in the mis-sion of the Church through their spe-cific work to migrants, seamen andrefugees. They, like other religious

missionaries, are committed toserving God’s people, caring

for their human and spiritualwell-being.

While preparations arealready underway in vari-ous mission territories, the

Congregation of the Mis-sionaries of St. Charles (Scal-

abrinians) around the worldmarks this year as a great vigil for

the Centenary of their Founder’sdeath (1905-2005). This is an historicmoment in which the whole congre-gation will become a shared celebra-tion of people re-affirming their com-mitment to work for unity and frater-nal reconciliation.

In a spirit of their Founder’scharism, the Scalabrinian missionarieshave been called to get involved inone or the other of the many kinds ofmigration activities, particularly at the“grass-roots” level. Actually, their ded-ication to the pastoral care of migrants

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is even emphasized in the documentsof the Church today. It is basically onaccount of their very nature, which isto care for the migrants.

Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini,having been a man of God, carried animportant teaching for all people ofall cultures. His vision knows noboundaries. He worked very hard tobring back to the Gospel those peoplewho had already heard it and nowwere in danger of losing what theyhad heard. He brought to the fore histhree components of Evangelization,Catechesis, and Hospitality.

He was born on July 8, 1839, inFino Mornasco, near the city ofComo, Italy. His father, Luigi Scal-abrini was a modest wine merchant.And his mother, Colomba Trombetta,taught him the value of prayer andlove for the poor. He was the third ofeight children. He did his studies atthe Liceo Volta (Junior and HighSchool) in the city of Como. He wasan excellent student.

When he was eighteen years

of age, he told his parents that hewanted to become a priest. Hence, itcame about that after some years, hecompleted his philosophy courses atthe Minor Seminary of Como and histheological studies at the Major Semi-nary. He wrote Italian, Latin, andGreek with elegance, both in proseand poetry. He knew Hebrew, andspoke French like a native French-man.1 He was ordained a priest inComo, Italy on May 30, 1863.

He taught in the seminary as aprofessor and Vice-Rector. He trainedthe seminarians of his time to bestrong in their faith and in their lovefor the church.2

In mid-December of 1875, PopePius IX, at the suggestion of DonBosco, appointed John B. ScalabriniBishop of Piacenza at the age of thir-ty-six. His Episcopal consecrationtook place on January 30, 1876 in thechapel of the Congregation of Propa-ganda Fide in Rome’s Piazza diBanner used during the Beautification of

Bishop J.B. Scalabrini in St. Peter Square, November 9, 1997.

Blessed J.B. Scalabrini, Father to the Migrants, by Viktor Tsyganko, 1994.


Rev. Andrew Brizzolara, c.s.

H o m i l y o n T h e 1 0 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y o f The Dea th o f B l e s sed John

Bapt is t Scalabrini*

Scalabrini’s Episcopal Crest (Jacob’s ladder)

Using the words from the Prefaceof Apostles 1, let us proclaim in faiththat, “The Lord never leaves His flockuntended.”

We have gathered around thisaltar in memory of a true shepherdwho tended his flock with the vibrantlove of Christ. We, therefore, offerthis Eucharist in recognition and celebration of a saintly bishop at thisthe 100th anniversary of his death.

His name is Bishop John BaptistScalabrini, the loving son of Colombaand Luigi Scalabrini, the third eldestof eight children, born on July 8, 1839.

He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1863 at the age of 24. PopeLeo XIII nominated him bishop in 1876 and he was consecrated atRome by Alessandro Cardinal Franchion January 30th at the age of 36. He would serve as the bishop of Piacenza in northern Italy for 29 years.

During these remarkable years ofministry and dedication, Scalabrinimade an unheard-of five pastoral visitations to the 365 parishes under

his care, some which had never beforereceived a bishop.

Scalabrini organized three diocesan synods and worked toemphasize the Eucharist as the centraland most sacred act of worship for hispeople. He reorganized the diocesanseminaries and reformed their curriculum.

With great respect for the personof the Holy Father, Bishop Scalabriniadvised Pope Pius IX to work for areconciliation between the Churchand the newly formed government ofItaly. He sought to give to his peopleall of the civil rights which shouldhave been their due. Scalabrini treatedall with the God-given dignity thatrightfully belonged to them. To thisend he ministered to the victims of

6 W I N T E R 2 0 0 5

Blessed Scalabrini just became Bishop of Piacenza (Italy)

cholera, visited the sick and those inprison, and opened his own residenceas a dispensary for the ill and starving.

By the 1880s he became a passionate champion of the welfare ofemigrants. From 1887 to 1892 heresearched, lectured on and wrotenumerous papers on this most lethalphenomenon of migration, forcing itonto the agenda of public concernand political debate.

Through the inspiration of God,Scalabrini’s eyes were opened to thenecessity for an organized body to carefor the pastoral needs of the thousands of migrants fleeing fromstarvation and poverty each year. In 1887, the bishop founded the

Missionaries of St. Charles. Eightyears later, together with Fr. GiuseppeMarchetti and Fr. Marchetti’s own sister, Mary Assunta, the bishopfounded a parallel society for consecrated women, the MissionarySisters of St. Charles.

During the last decade of hisremarkable life, Scalabrini embarkedon two pastoral visits to his missionar-ies. His first was to the eastern UnitedStates and the second internationalvisit was to his missionaries in Brazil.

It was 92 years after his deaththat the Universal Church, in the person of Pope John Paul II, proclaimed Bishop John Baptist Scalabrini “a blessed” on November 9, 1997.

With such a life ... with all of thisand so much more ... why do we celebrate the death of Blessed Scalabrini? Indeed, the very use of theterm “celebrate” does not seem fitting.Yet honoring the memory of a lifeheroically lived in Christ and forChrist is not new to our Catholic tradition. Feasts of the saints are usually celebrated each year on thedates of their deaths. This is the dayon which they were called to God andwere born into Eternal Life. After allthis is the day on which they becamethe citizens of Heaven.

One hundred years ago, BlessedScalabrini died of complications aftersurgery on Thursday, June 1, 1905. It was the Feast of The Ascension ofOur Lord into Heaven. During hisfinal year of life, Scalabrini spokeoften of his own death. Those whoworked closely with him saw the bishop grow more and more detachedfrom concerns of the world. Though

Spagna. He renewed the face of thechurch in his diocese through thereformation of the clergy by demand-ing fidelity to making their SpiritualRetreats, continually updating theirstudies, residing in their parishes, andtheir weekly Reconciliation. He madesome changes and modificationsregarding the discipline and the curriculum of the seminaries. He organized the Lay Catechists,which numbered almost five thousandvolunteers. He also started the firstItalian journal for catechesis, whicheven spread across the United States.

Among various problems thatdeal with migration, Bishop Scalabrini recounted his experience inthe Milan train station. He said,“when I hear that the most abandonedand therefore the least respected areour own countrymen and women,that thousands upon thousands of ourbrothers and sisters live defenseless in a distant country, objects ofexploitation that is often unpunished,without the comfort of a friendlyword, then I confess that I blush withshame, I feel humiliated as a priestand as an Italian, and I ask myselfagain ‘what can be done to helpthem?’”

Following this, he founded theOrder on November 28, 1887 and the Congregation of Sisters onOctober 25, 1895 in Piacenza, Italy.The Congregation of the Missionariesof Saint Charles (Scalabrinians) is an“apostolic community of religiousthat shares in the missionary activityChrist continues in the church, forthe plan of God in the world and inHis history. This focuses on the world

where we have been called to serve themigrants.3 In a variety of settings, theyshare the same life and their unity isnourished by daily prayer, mediationof God’s Word and interaction withpeople.

Through the years, the reality ofmigration continues. The Scalabrini-ans endeavor to share the conditionsof these “migrant peoples” by givingthem the necessary support of theirfaith and walking with them in theirsearch for identity and acceptance in countries often hostile to theirmigration experience.

Bishop Scalabrini’s dedication tofuller humanity and justice remindsus of what God said in the book ofExodus: “I have seen the humiliationof my people in Egypt and I hear theircry when they are cruelly treated bytheir taskmasters. I know their suffer-ing” (Exodus 3:7-8). These responsesalso call to mind the response of ourLord as he saw the hungry in front ofhim: “I am filled with compassion forthese people” (Matthew 15:32).

Today, there are, throughout theworld, some seven-hundred Scal-abrinian missionaries dedicated to fol-lowing Christ, specifically in the fieldof migration. They work now in theAmericas, Europe, South Africa, Aus-tralia, and Asia in twenty-six coun-tries. They are involved in manyworks throughout the church – in themission fields, in social centers, inmedia and chaplaincies of various eth-nic groups, in schools and seminaries,in homes for the aged, in parishes, andin centers for migration studies. Per-sonal and multicultural parishes andmission apostolates still comprise the


missionaries. We consider the Beati-tudes to be the vision and philosophyof how to go about being the handsand feet of Christ, our landscapebeing disciples of Christ.

While there are other significantthings in congregational endeavors,projects and commitment to globalmission, we are convinced that ourwitnessing becomes the foundationalissue for us with a great deal of prayer,detachment and faithfulness to ourreligious vows. As Father RaymondBrown says in his commentary: “Theconsecration in truth is not simply apurification from sin but is a conse-cration to a mission; they are beingconsecrated inasmuch as they arebeing sent.”4

We can wonder today, as we lookat ourselves whether the success of ourministry is considered not by thenumbers of those who may listen to usor take part in our programs and pro-jects, but in the ones who are encour-aged by our examples. Throughprayer, as Scripture says, we are slowlymetamorphosed into a process as wegaze with unveiled faces at the differ-ent pictures of Christ in the gospel.We are able to acquire the wisdom toknow what to do and have the energyto get our work done.

*FOOTNOTES1. Francesconi, Mario, G.B. Scalabrini: Shepherd to Migrants, New York: 1987.

2. Ibid.3. Rules of Life. Congregation of the Missionaries

of Saint Charles (Scalabrinians), 1987.4. The Gospel according to John.

The Anchor Bible, 29a, Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1970, p. 62.

larger area of the Scalabrinian mis-sionaries.

Recognizing that the congrega-tion has continued serving migrantsover many years, the spirit and legacyof Bishop Scalabrini resonates and hasconstantly been seen as an occasionfor the church towards her renewaland transformation. With this cele-bration for his centennial deathanniversary, the sense of joy will neverbe dimmed. It is a triumph of sancti-ty and growth that raises the church’sinvolvement when discrimination andinjustice is perpetrated againstmigrant people.

As a Congregation whose mem-bers are from different nationalities,with a diversity of apostolic experi-ences and a variety of backgroundsand specializations, we dedicate thisopening year for our Founder’s Cen-tennial Death Anniversary to our con-tinuing conversion and deeper com-mitment to our charism.

ConclusionOf all the remarkable things

about our journey as a congregationsince our Founder passed away onehundred years ago, and stemmingfrom our deep spirituality and open-ness to the challenges of missionarylife, our commitment to the charismhas always been of legendary propor-tion. It is our example and uniqueministry to the poor migrants thatinspires others. We hold fast to these,being challenged and inspired by ourradical stances as missionaries. Withthese we see the metaphorical connec-tion between the Beatitudes and theexperiences that determine who weare and are to become as Scalabrinian

30 W I N T E R 2 0 0 5


his ministry never lessened in vigor,Scalabrini seemed to mature in aremarkable serenity. It was said that hebecame united in the Lord and hispersonality took on a great peace.

On Saturday, May 27, after consenting to surgery and speakingwith his doctors, he went to confes-sion and requested that everything bereadied for the anointing of the sickshould it be needed. Scalabrini personally prepared the oil stock andthen spent the night prior to the procedure in prayer and adoration inhis private chapel.

The following day, Sunday, May28, Dr. Carle of Turin and DoctorsDeOrchi and Marchesi performed thesurgery in a prepared room of theEpiscopal palace off of the bishop’sbedroom. Before he was anesthetizedwith chloroform, Scalabrini said, “I have for some time been preparedfor death. The Lord’s will be done.”

By all accounts the procedure was by no means simple but was considered a rather common surgery.There is no record of how long theprocedure lasted. On Monday, the dayafter the operation, the bishop’s heartbeat slowly and his condition worsened. His breathing becamelabored. He could no longer be considered stable.

By Wednesday, May 31, Scalabrini asked for the sacramentsand received them, it was noted, witha devotion that seemed to give himsome strength. It was at this time thathe asked for a tabernacle containingthe Eucharist to be placed on a smalltable in front of his bed. On the tablewas also placed a reliquary containingthe relic of St. Savino.

In a deposition given by the bishop’s valet, Mr. Spallazzi, he relatesthat once he received the viaticum,Bishop Scalabrini turned to thosestanding around his bed and said, in a clear voice, “I am close to appearing before Christ the Judge; I ask forgiveness of all and I bless all.”

A tray was brought into the bedroom on which were placed thecruets containing the Sacred Chrism,the Oil of Catechumens and the Oilof the Sick. The bishop, wanting all tobe prepared properly said, “Let mesee, because you are all so emotionalthat you might have made a mistake.”He, himself, picked up the cruet ofthe proper oil and handed it to his secretary. He motioned to all of themthat he wanted the prayers said slowlyso that he could recite them as well.

After he received the sacrament,he embraced and kissed the VicarGeneral of the diocese and the otherspresent, saying with a smile, “Pray forme. My greetings to the professorsand students in the seminary ... My missionaries ... good-bye, good-bye...” And he raised his right hand in blessing.

He than began to discuss his ownfuneral with his valet. Mr. Spallazzirecalls, “He bade me clothe him inrobes of little value, with a metal ringand cross, not gold, so that the actualobjects might be sold and the fundsused for the poor.” He then fell backunconscious. He came to a little laterand seemed more tranquil and strongwhen he was informed of the blessingreceived from the Holy Father. Scalabrini was moved and responded,“Give him my filial thanks” in a ratherthin but clear voice. Soon after he

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Photos of Blessed J. B. Scalabriniadded, “To all of the pastors andcanons present here at my suffering I give the faculty to impart to me theblessing, ‘in articulo mortis.’”

During the day, in his lucidmoments, he had words of comfortfor the members of his household. Attimes his mind began to wander andat moments he would say, “Mypriests. Where are my priests? Letthem come in, do not make them waitto long.”

Up until the end he continued toutter prayers and to kiss his crucifixand recite the rosary which he held inhis hands. He kept repeating, “God’swill be done.”

At about 6:00 A.M., on Thurs-day, June l, 1905, after a brief agonyand while murmuring a prayer,Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini wascalled to the House of The Father.No one will ever forget him.Indeed, he is unforgettable. Educa-tor, priest, shepherd ... the con-science of a Church and a nation-missionary, founder, humanitarian,lecturer, teacher ... indeed a goodand faithful servant, confessor tosaints and untiring laborer ... he wasall of this.

He taught us how to live and,in death, showed us how to reachup to God. This was the priest whohad been told that he could notbecome a missionary. Now he inter-cedes for the world.

*Presentation made at VillaRosa Home for a Mass honoringthe 100th Anniversary of the deathof our founder.


blessed by Bishop Gerald M. Barbari-to last summer.

Bishop Scalabrini spent his lifeworking for migrants and establishedthe Missionaries of St. Charles-Scal-abrinians in 1887. Today, Scalabrin-ian Missionaries work throughout theUnited States and the world servingmigrants of all nationalities.

A small chapel located in the rearof Our Lady Queen of Peace containstwo wall-size oil paintings of Scal-abrinian Missionaries. The SpanishMission-style church also featuresstained-glass windows depicting

farmworkers and travelers. A backcorner of the church displays imagesof Mary, representing her apparitionsin different countries.

“This church is so warm andnice,” said Barbara Campisi, a retireefrom New York and member of theparish for one year. “I have tried otherchurches in the area, but I love thischurch.”

The Mission Medical Center ishoused in what used to be the conventof the Religious of Mary ImmaculateClaretian Sisters. The center serveslow-income households and peoplewith no insurance. The clinic is oper-ated though the help of volunteersand offers medical and dental care,physicals, immunizations, some tests,mammograms and x-rays.

This article originally appeared inThe Florida Catholic,

Palm Beach Edition. July 22,2005 / Vol.66 / No.19.

Detail of the stained glass windows. The flight to Egypt,by the artist Francesco Santoro.

Concelebration on the 100th anniversary of the death of Blessed Scalabrini: Deacon Woody, Bishop Barbaritowith the concelebrants: Hector Sartori, Matthew Didoné,Tiziano Paolazzi, Brian King (2005).

24 W I N T E R 2 0 0 5

of colorful flags represents the differ-ent nationalities in the flock.Throughout the year, the parish takespart in festivals celebrating the VirginMary as a way to keep various home-lands alive for families. Masses havebeen added. Five Spanish Masses arecelebrated weekly, and English Massesare celebrated daily. Masses in Por-tuguese are a new feature added toaccommodate Brazilian professionalswho have moved to the area over thelast few years.

“I have seen the changes,” saidLaurie Roulette, who grew up in theparish, moved away and came back.“It is amazing.”

Our Lady Queen of Peace sanc-tuary is a good representation of theparish’s past and its ties to migrantworkers.

The church entrance features abrand-new statue of Bishop John Bap-tist Scalabrini. The statue was addedto the parish and dedicated and

The statue of Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini is an addition to Our Lady Queen of Peace Mission in Delray Beach.

It was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito during a church ceremony last summer.

The Baptistry of the new Church of Our Lady Queen of Peacemade by the artist Francesco Santoro.

Father Matthew Didoné says hello to the faithful after Mass.The parish has added several Masses in Spanish, English

and Portuguese to better serve parishioners ( TFC Photos by Linda Reeves ).


By Sergio Dall’Agnese, c.s.

The Editor of the Scalabriniansmagazine asked me to recount someexperiences I had as Provincial Supe-rior of the Province of Saint CharlesBorromeo, which includes EasternCanada, the United States, Colombia,Haiti and Venezuela. When I read therequest in the e-mail it surprised me.I still wonder who would be interest-ed in knowing about the activities ofa Provincial. To most readers, even theword “Provincial” may not be wellunderstood, since its meaning isdefined by a style of government inreligious congregations. After someconsideration, however, I acceptedthe challenge and will try to sharewith you a few experiences thathelped me better understand my con-freres and, as Scalabrinian Missionar-

ies, the people we are working with.From April 1999 to May 2005 I

led the Province. I accepted theresponsibility after a former provincialtold me: “Do not forget that you areasked to serve the province. ProvincialSuperior is a position of service andnot of honor.” It was good advice thatprompted me to make decisions thatwere merely convenient. A counsel offour confreres was then selected tohelp me guide the Province and giveme a better understanding of our con-freres before making decisions thatwould affect the life of the religiouscommunity. The counselors sharedthe same joys and difficulties that Iwas experiencing and were very sup-portive of all the decisions taken.They made my life less difficultbecause I knew that they were there tohelp and encourage me whenever

Provincial Experience

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I needed them. They performed a good and valuable service to thecommunity.

Among the beautiful experiencesI had during my six years in office wasmeeting with many confreres whom I did not know well. Some are morethan eighty years old and others areunder thirty. The age gap made it dif-ficult to maintain a familiar andfriendly dialogue with most of themeven though I knew they were part ofthe same religious family. However,due to the geographical distancesfrom Canada to Colombia, opportu-nities to meet with all of them werefew. The annual Provincial Assemblyis the only opportunity to meet them,when all are asked to gather to review

the work and projects of the Provinceand to plan for the future. Unfortu-nately, a good number were unable toattend. So, even when one is willingto create bonds of friendship with

other confreres it can be difficult.I was blessed to have the opportunity

to meet with those who attended andspent time listening to their needs,joys and accomplishments in theirministry. Some are isolated and in dif-ficult and dangerous regions of theProvince. They lacked most of themeans to develop their ministries andreach out to the people they wereassigned to work for. And yet I couldsee them happy and joyfully doingtheir work with great trust in theLord. They shared the struggles andthe sufferings of the people they wereliving with. They accepted the realitywithout bitterness. They trulybelieved they were fulfilling a callfrom God. The Lord multiplied their

joys and helped them to draw inspira-tion from the example of the Founderand from Jesus Christ.

Other confreres are working incountries where there is more materi-

Our Lady Queen of Peace, Delray Beach, Florida. Provincial Assembly 2004. Fr. Sergiobetween Fr. Isaiah Birollo (General Superior, left) and Fr. Tarcisio Bagatin (right.)


the church community. Many are notregistered.

“People come and go,” saidFather Matthew Didoné, c.s., parishadministrator since 1987. “We havemore than 2,500 listed in the com-puter system. The church communityis changing because of the growth inthe area.”

The mission church is located inDelray Beach, a seaside village recog-nized for its national “All-AmericaCity” award in 2001. The town is alsoknown for its Atlantic Avenue whichis lined with chic restaurants andtrendy clothing stores. But follow theavenue west about 10 miles and thescenery quickly changes to revealgated communities and a few farmswith crops and “for sale” signs.

“The area used to containmigrant camps and tomato, cucum-ber, flower and citrus farms,” said Sis-ter Gonzalez. “As development cameand farms closed, people moved outof the area to find work. The childrenand the grandchildren of the migrantworkers are grown and many havetaken other types of work and settledin the surrounding cities.”

Sister Gonzalez points out thatlongtime parishioners and their chil-dren return to the parish, even thoughthey may live miles away, to attendMasses, weddings, baptisms andchurch events. She says that the parishalso has a new influx of “snowbirds”and retirees. The seniors have foundhomes in new developments close tothe church.

Our Lady Queen of Peace hasgrown and diversified as housing con-tinues to expand westward. A display

Mercedes Gordillo and her husband, Alex, pray to Mary before Sunday Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Mission. They

are originally from Ecuador and have made a new home in Delray Beach and at the parish.

( TFC Photos by Linda Reeves )

The statue of Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini.

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Diocese of Palm Beach. Sister Gonza-lez lived for twelve years in a smallconvent that was home to the Reli-gious of Mary Immaculate ClaretianSisters located on the grounds of OurLady Queen of Peace Mission. “Thatis how the mission church started inwestern Delray.”

Our Lady Queen of Peace Mis-sion has grown from packing housesand a small mission housed in a tinymultipurpose building with foldingchairs and sliding partitions, to avibrant parish. The parish has a beau-tiful new sanctuary, chapel, offices,educational building, parish hall and amedical clinic that serves the poor.Parish leaders cannot say with certain-ty how many worshippers belong to

By Linda Reeves

Hundreds of parishioners turnedout for Masses and other churchevents at Our Lady Queen of PeaceMission in Delray Beach, Florida, tojoin with the Scalabrinian priests whoserve the parish in honoring thefounder of the Scalabrinian commu-nity.

The commemorations, whichattracted longtime parishioners andnew parish members of varying ages,cultures, nationalities and professions,are an indication of how much thisonce largely-migrant parish haschanged over the years.

“In the beginning, the priestswent to the tomato-packing plants inDelray to celebrate Masses,” said Sis-ter Vivian Gonzalez, RMI, director ofthe Office of Hispanic Ministry of the Facade of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Delray Beach, Florida


al comfort and wealth. They, too,must bear their difficulties and hard-ships in order to offer a more mean-ingful service, especially to the newestgroups of immigrants. The burden ofthe administration of the parishes,schools and pastoral centers, where somuch of their energy is expended,made many wonder whether theywere really doing a service to the

immigrants, especially to those whomost needed their spiritual supportand the comfort of their presenceamong them. The tenacity and will-ingness of many pastors, associatesand center directors who were able tofind time to be close to the peoplewho always were looking for their

spiritual support should be admired.In spite of the great amount of work,most of them were fulfilled andhappy. Their bodies were exhaustedand tired, but their hearts were happyand their spirits filled with joy.

Another experience that gave mejoy was the relationship with thepriests working in formation. It wasalways a pleasure to visit the seminar-

ies and see the work beingdone and the enthusiasm ofboth students and educa-tors. Although there weresome differences about howto deal with new issues,especially in the house oftheology, I saw that therewas a desire on everyone’spart to understand and helpeach other. During the pastseveral years, formation hasbeen the main priority forthe Province, even thoughthe education of new reli-gious always has been themost important concern forevery provincial administra-tion. The survival of ourreligious family depends onour ability to recruit moremembers who would shareour Charism and continueour ministry. On the visitsto the seminaries in Colom-bia and Haiti, I saw, with

joy and hope, that there is a brightfuture for our community. The semi-naries are filled with young men whoare committed to helping themigrants and are enthusiastic aboutthe Founder’s Charism. The educatorsare working with dedication and putall their efforts to help and guide the

Fr. Sergio (right) during a Mass in Nuestra Senora de laCaridad del Cobre Quisqueya, Dominican Republic,

celebrated by the local bishop (2003.)

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students. It was comforting to seethat there was a firm commitment onthe part of everyone assigned to for-mation. Formation is a ministry thatneeds to be supported by all of us.Most of the confreres appreciate andsupport the work done in the semi-naries and pray daily for the success ofour students and religious. Somepriests dedicated the best part of theirlives to formation. A few already havespent more than twenty years in theformation ministry. And yet they con-

tinue to accept the responsibility ofcaring for our seminaries and studentswith joy and dedication. They recog-nize the importance of formationwork for the growth of the provincialfamily and the congregation.

An encouraging experience I hadduring my visits to our Missions wasto witness how much our people lovethe priests and religious who ministerto them. I wonder whether wedeserved so much praise for our work.Parishioners and friends invited thepriests and religious to their homes,

cared for them and truly appreciatedtheir work. One really felt at homewith them.

I realized how much people sup-ported their priests and appreciatedour ministry whenever a mission orparish no longer could be staffed andhad to be returned to the bishop. Peo-ple did not want to see the Scalabrini-ans leave. It was very difficult to dealwith such emotional and sensitive sit-uations. Some never understood whythe Scalabrinians left them and will

never accept it. Irealized, painful-ly, that in somecases we wereunable to helpthem understandthe nature of ourwork and mis-sion. In someparishes that werer e l i n q u i s h e d ,however, I had toadmire the workdone by a few ofour confreres tohelp the commu-nity understand

that they would not be abandoned. Afew pastors were able to instill hopeand confidence that the Lord wouldnever leave them alone. He wouldprovide for them once the Scalabrini-ans moved on to minister to newgroups of immigrants. This kind ofpreparation helped the people toembrace the new situation withoutbitterness and suffering. It helped tobring comfort and peace to those whowere, and continue to be, close to theScalabrinians. They understood thatthere were many other needier immi-

Provincial Assembly (Saint Charles Province), Santo Domingo, May 2003.


North. Three weeks later, obviouslyquite moved, she phoned in order tothank me for our hospitality. Then amonologue began.

After a few incidents in Mexico, Ifinally arrived in Matamoros. Thatnight I crossed the Río Bravo with afew others. Just as I was catching mybreath on the American shore of theriver, thanking God for bringing meto this land, I heard a voice saying to

me: “Raise your hands and turnaround slowly!” It was a border patrolguard. He put handcuffs on me andordered: “Get into the truck.”

At this point in her story, sheburst into tears and weeping over thephone, she uttered: “Forgive me, dearFather, and may God forgive me forwhat I said to the man.” She went onwith her story, “Officer, sir, grant mea final favor. Take out your gun andshoot me right here. For me, there isno return. I am a walking ghost. Letmy children back in Honduras say:‘Mummy died on American soil.’ Helooked at me, took off my handcuffs,and said, “Woman. I have not seenyou. Go.” Father, I’m calling you nowfrom Chicago.

It was the encounter between twoworlds. Perhaps the officer didn’t dohis duty, but he showed the humanheart of America.

Scalabrini Center, Tijuana, Mexico

( Photo: Giuseppe Lanzi )

A migrant family( Photo: Giuseppe Lanzi )

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dramas that drag me down. I don’t seeprogress, only a few smiles in thosefaces flailed by the sun and labor.Poverty is everyone’s clothes. The barefeet remind me of the earth we comefrom and to which we will return. It isloving and serving one-way. There isno return. In this sense, I take the lib-erty of applying to myself something Ilearned from the history of Mexico.When we decide to surrender our-selves to missions such as these, fol-lowing the example of Hernán Cortés,we need to burn the ships behind us.We turn into sailors in high sea settingour gaze and course ahead of us, oblit-erating the port as it recedes behindus.

We must getaccustomed to along fast from grati-fication. This is theconcept I expressedearlier: the missionof compassion andsolidarity is not jus-tified by any salaryor honorary title wemay be given,although these mayprovide a temporarysoothing. Instead,we must charge ourbatteries at sourcesunknown to most. In my own case, itis through spiritual and artisticexpression in poetry.

ConclusionFor most people, the dimension

of compassion and solidarity is practi-cally an underground world. Those ofus who attempt to be a seed ofhumanity in that field are the weirdos,

the buried-alive branded as vulnera-ble, in a class that society in generaltries to wipe from its collective con-science, thus justifying indifference.Memory is erased; make-up is appliedto hide the cracks and wounds of ourworld. Compassion, as love, I believe,is delivered one-way, without condi-tions. It is a total experience, and full,yet remains open to receiving andentering into an active, reciprocalrelationship. Solidarity, in our case,the first cousin of compassion, mani-fests itself as brotherhood, or should Isay a profound kinship of personalsensitivity, that goes beyond social,ideological or political connotations.

It is a lonely road, one that oftengoes against the flow,where one is exposedto the danger ofdepression, ofbecoming a victim ofoneself. Nevertheless,it is a silent revolu-tion, testimony thatwe can indeed over-come and beat the“fatigue of compas-s i o n , ” m o v i n gtowards a new hori-zon where man is nolonger neither wolfnor indifferent, but

rather a brother and friend.I’d like to end now with an anec-

dote which may well be the living par-adigm for this entire experience. It’sabout a migrant woman from Hon-duras, an Afro-American, with blackskin, who passed through the MigrantHome where I live. She was with usfor a few days, asked me for someinformation, and then left for the

Tapachula, Mexico (Photo: Giuseppe Lanzi)

grants waiting for help. In the end,they were thankful for the ministrythey received. They appreciated thosewho donated their time to love andcare for them. They also understood,more so than a few of us, that Scal-abrinian Charism had been fulfilledand that it was time to move on. Itwas also difficult for us to see the workdone by our first missionaries – thechurches and schools they built, thecommunities they fed with theEucharist and the Word of God – begiven up. It was painful for the coun-selors and me to reach a decision andrelinquish a position. Yet, the more wepostponed the decision, the worsethings became for everyone. We real-ized that the worst decision was to notmake a decision. When we looked tothe future, we realized that the newreligious joining our family were com-ing mainly from the CaribbeanIslands and South America. Most ofthe new immigrants come from thosesame countries. So, we had littlechoice but to redirect the future of theProvince toward the new realities. Ithas been a difficult fight, but I believeit will produce good results. The newimmigrants among us do not comefrom Europe, but from other regionsof the world. We either walk withthem or run the risk that they will beleft alone to fend for themselves.

Other people who broughtenjoyment to the work I was doingwere the members of the ScalabriniLay Movement (SLM) and the volun-teers that I met throughout theProvince. They showed me with theirfaith and dedication how much joycan come from serving and caring forothers. Their example of service to the


poor, especially the refugees andundocumented men and women withchildren being denied their basicneeds and rights, was a sign of thepresence of God’s love and an inspira-tion. In many places throughout theProvince, I witnessed the marvelsachieved by volunteers in their workof healing and educating children andadults. I’ll always remember meetinga group of doctors and nurses at ourseminaries in Port-au-Prince. Theywere from the United States andChile. Those from Chile were youngmen and women who had donated atleast six months of volunteer work inthe clinic, along with a group of reli-gious sisters from Colombia. Anothergroup of doctors and nurses was fromthe United States. They spend theiryearly vacation time doing check-ups,performing surgeries and givingmuch-needed health education tomothers, children and the elderly whocome from all over the countryside ofHaiti. They found joy and happinessdonating their vacation time to helpothers. Their example was muchstronger than all my preaching oncharity, love and care for others.

Like the volunteers, I also wasencouraged by the members of theScalabrini Lay Movement who aredoing a great job of raising awarenessand performing service that goesbeyond our parishes and missions forthe immigrants and needy of our soci-ety. Many immigrants and refugeesfind in them the support they somuch needed in their trials after leav-ing their motherlands and their fami-lies. For many, the Scalabrini LayMovement becomes like a new familyand is a sign that Jesus Christ did not

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forget them. The welcoming attitudesof the Scalabrini Lay Movementmembers show how much this min-istry is part of the work of the churchin building new communities amongthe newcomers. The ministry theChurch entrusted to the Scalabriniansis being shared by the members of theScalabrini Lay Movement who believein the vision of Blessed Scalabrini,Father to the Migrants.

During my term as Provincial,sadly, I saw some of my confreresreturn to the House of God. Duringthe past six years, a religious brotherand a dozen priests left us. It has beendifficult to see them depart this world,especially having spent so much timeworking together. They were my fam-ily. I could see how fragile life is, espe-cially with the unexpected deaths of afew of them, and of the beloved LuigiFavero, Superior General. He, like theothers, was able to communicate hopeand trust in our ministry. His pro-found faith in Jesus Christ and hisvision of the future of the congrega-tion instilled new faith and hope inus. He was a humble person who wasable to inspire courage and be close toeach one of his priests and religious.The example that these priests andreligious in giving up their lives forservice to the migrants is a gift and agrace from God.

In conclusion, I can say that serv-ing the provincial community was ablessing, though it was a difficult task.I was blessed, for I found support inthe prayers of many. I could share thededication and love for the migrantswith most of the religious and lay peo-ple I met. The faith in what we aredoing as Scalabrinians renewed my

commitment to continue helping theneediest and newest groups of immi-grants. Spiritually, I came to under-stand that no matter how much oneworks or how much one can accom-plish, everything loses meaning andvalue if it is not done for the sake ofJesus Christ. If He does not becomethe center of our life, sooner or later,even the greatest accomplishmentsbecome worthless. As a confrere ofmine said after he built a few church-es and pastoral centers, and was reas-signed: “the people never mentionedwhat I built for them at the farewellparty. I felt somewhat frustrated. Theymissed me only because my presenceamong them was a reminder of some-one close to God.”

Many are those who help theimmigrants. However, immigrantswant us to remind them that God isclose to them, loves them and hascompassion for them. If we fail to wit-ness this ministry, then we as religiousdo not mean anything to them. Wemay satisfy their hunger for bread, butthey do not live by bread alone. Theexample of many religious and laypeople deeply committed to feed theircommunities with the Bread of Lifeand the Word of God was the mostremarkable experience I had. May theBlessed Scalabrini keep us faithful tohis vision and closer to Jesus our Lord.


That is the secret that feeds themigrant’s road: he says to himself,“Next to some who would throw meout and stone me, there is anotherwho will open the door to me, offerme a tortilla. Besides, the sun willcome out tomorrow and will shine ongood and bad people, on citizens andillegal aliens” – we can add to this listthe healthy and the sick, the impris-

oned and the free.

Gratuitousness – Absence of Gratification

Finally before drawing myreflections to a close, I’d like toshare the dimension of gratu-itousness. Opting for compassionand solidarity involves, depend-ing on the category of people thatwe choose, a degree of gratu-itousness that approximates us tothe image of the man who sowsbut does not harvest. I shall try toexplain. In my twenty years’experience on the Mexico-U.S.and Mexico-Guatemala borders,as well as on war borders in someAfrican countries, contact withthe undocumented lasts threedays at the most. You get the sen-

sation of grasping a gust of wind, anempty fist. You have just received thevisitors, begun a dialogue, lent them ahand as they have arrived injured,assaulted, the women frequentlyraped, and in no time, they are swal-lowed up and disappear as they roundthe first corner. I never hear anythingmore from them. Maybe, a fewmonths later, one or two will give mea call from Los Angeles, Chicago orNorth Carolina. That’s it. I live as ifflogged by a tide of pain, a cascade of

has no roof: they just take off on high.They live a kind of freedom unknownto most of us.

All their belongings are gatheredtogether in a backpack or in the plas-tic bag from the last store where theybought two tacos. At times, theirwhole native land and culture areexpressed in the “wetbacks” that crossthe river as if they were just going for

a swim. They demonstrate the sim-plicity of persons who have lost every-thing in terms of money and power,and who, nevertheless, possess thevehemence that comes of bearing wit-ness. Even when they have fallen, theyfall on their feet with all their dignity.One of them told me, “It’s true that Idon’t have any documents, a tie, ajacket or even shoes. What makes thedifference between an illegal alien anda man? A piece of paper or his clothes?To me, clothes make a mannequin,not a person.”

The Good Samaritan, Rembrandt

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social worker and subject needy of aidand guidance.

His or her wretchedness, rage,helplessness and pain so consume usthat we become victims ourselves. It is evident that our mission is toaccompany vulnerable people, lettingourselves become covered with thedust of their drama in what can be, onoccasion, a very fragile balance.

This may be illustrated by theanecdote concerning a toad resting inits pond. Suddenly, an eagle comesdown, and the toad, quite pleasedwith this, says,“Hey, you’re here inthis pond too?”“Yes,” replied theeagle, “but I’m nothere to stay,” as hesoared off to theheights. This is theexperience of beingcalled to set free anyprocess that tendsto close in on itself.I sometimes thinkwe need to see our-selves as midwiveswho help to drawthe live infant outof its mother, wherewe serve as a bridgeso as to hand thechild over to an autonomous andindependent life. This pain and soli-tude, this fight waged against the cur-rent, are part of the effort of a liberat-ing childbirth. We can help be thepassageway, but just as the shepherd isnot mistaken for sheep, although heloves them and is with them, so ourmission is to administer this parturi-tion at all moments.

The undocumented, and evenmore so the refugees, subsist relent-lessly – as if under the sword ofDamocles – with the nightmare ofdepression. Drawing on their cultureand the fortitude earned by continual-ly facing extreme situations, people inservice must re-invent with them themotives for hope.

Betting on TomorrowIn my contact with the undocu-

mented, another basic element thathas shaped me is how every migrant

bets on tomorrow.You could say thatthe undocument-ed person defineshimself from thefuture. Once hehas decided tosever those deepestroots that are hisland, his language,and his family, themigrant is a com-pass open to thefour winds. Oncethe first frontierhas been broken,the whole planetopens up like a fanto the migrant-u n d o c u m e n t e d

person. He stands firmly by his free-dom, and even imposes it, waybeyond the common sense of papers,rights or safety. This other person, theone who supposedly beseeches orrequires our helping hand, becomesour teacher. He throws hope furtherthan any fence, river or militarizedborder. Sometimes these migrantsseem to me like birds in a cage that


The Saint Charles Mission Centeron Staten Island hosted a two-day event in September to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the deathof Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini. Theevent was planned and coordinated by a special Centennial Committee, the Staten Island chapter of the ScalabrinianLay Movement, and the Saint CharlesLadies Guild, and truly was a success.

The celebration began on Saturday,September 24th, with a Gala Fundraiserhonoring Bishop Lawrence Sabatini, Rev.Joseph Fugolo, the Provincial Superior, and Rev. Henry Gentile. Special friends of Saint Charles MissionCenter, Sam Panepinto, Dr. VincentMontanti, and Jeannette Brutto, intro-duced them and presented each with aplaque to mark this special occasion.

All three have truly responded totheir calling as Scalabrinian Missionariesand, over the years, have shown the community that they walk along the path first walked by Blessed Scalabrini in serving the migrant community.

By Cindy Amato

Blessed Scalabrini:Celebration in

New York

On Sunday, September 25th, a special Mass was held at Saint Charles Mission Center, as part of the ceremony to rename their chapel in dedication toBlessed John Baptist Scalabrini. Friendsand supporters, Phil and Connie Mauro,donated a beautiful sign for the chapelentrance. The Staten Island Chapter ofthe Lay Scalabrinians had planned a spe-cial Mass to reflect the cultural vision ofBlessed Scalabrini. The Mass was concele-brated by Bishop Sabatini, Rev. Fugolo,and Rev. Gentile. Following Mass, theSaint Charles Ladies Guild, known fortheir generous hospitality, offered deliciousrefreshments to all of the Friends of SaintCharles.

The Centennial Celebration at SaintCharles was a blessed event that broughtmany communities together as a unitedcongregation to celebrate a man who, onehundred years later, remains the inspira-tion for our Scalabrinian Community.

A young J.B. Scalabrini

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readers who have been discouraged bythe reports of scandalous priests willtake heart and realize that the vastmajority of our priests are faithfullyfulfilling their duties and obligations.

Pope John Paul II once said “Ifthe world cannot live without Christ,neither can it live without priests.”

It was in 1944-1945, shortly after

serving most successfully as assistantpastor at Our Lady of Mount CamelChurch in Melrose Park, Illinois, thatFr. Hector Ansaldi responded to thecall to become the first Novice Masterat Sacred Heart Seminary. From thevery beginning, the seminarians lovedhim. He was an excellent choice, sincehe stood out as an exemplary followerof his priestly model, Jesus the GoodShepherd.

I gladly offer this sketch of FatherHector Ansaldi because I was blessedand privileged to have been one of the“original eleven.” Although, sincethose formative years, I have followedthe vocation of marriage, I havealways remained a Scalabrinian inspirit. I submit this article (upon invi-tation of the editor), for three person-

al reasons. I think that readers of Scal-abrinians need to hear of the manyholy priests that exist in the family.Hopefully, others will take pen inhand and submit sketches of holypriests who inspired them on theirjourneys toward salvation and sancti-fication.

Second, I wrote this article out ofpure love and respect for a truly won-derful priest. Finally, I hope that my

In Praise of Father Ettore AnsaldiBy Fiore Bronga

1

2


Fr. Hector always wore a smile,and was pleasant and attentive towhomever came to him. His newassignment would prove to be thehighlight of his priesthood. It offeredhim the opportunity to train, inspireand nurture the spiritual lives of hiseleven novices on their way to becom-ing holy priests.

During the first novitiate year,Father Hector devoted his all to hisawesome responsibilities as NoviceMaster. He became spiritual director,teacher, guidance counselor and fatherto his eleven novices. They lived as aclosely-knit family, doing everythingtogether. Father Hector rarely left thenovitiate, spending most of his freetime with the group. He celebratedMass daily, ever so devoutly, andcounseled individually, conductedreligious classes, and even played soc-cer.

2Spiritual reading and religious instruction, Fr. Hector seated at desk.

3Physical exercise and play time, Fr. Hector and his invincible team.

1Christmas at the Novitiate: Fr. Hector Ansaldi holding the Holy Child.From left to right: Brother Francis Roti. Angelo Calandra; Thomas Carlesimo; Joseph Lamanna; Gino Dalpiaz; Fr. Hector; Vincent Losalvio; Anthony Felicichia; Carmelo Negro; Joseph Scopa; Fiore Bronga; Ignatius Militello.

Compassion and Solidarity

(Part II , continuing from last issue*)Fr. Florenzo Maria Rigoni, May, 2004

Compassion and Solidarity as aRisk of Getting Stuck in the Mire

In the relationship with and service to vulnerable people – and Irefer here to my own experience withthe undocumented – who are almostalways defeated by laws and by life,there is a latent danger, a trap hiddenbeneath the carpet: we may becomedepressive victims with them, getentangled, or else assume the anger orthe resignation of the other man.

It is a walk along the cutting edgeof a knife. Sincere, deep compassioncan push us to embrace our speaker,to the point of a spiritual or psycho-logical marriage. It is a subtle tempta-tion, one that creeps in on tip-toe,and can silently become a trap,ensnaring both doctor and patient,

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scalabrinians-jas-2005. 26 no. 3 scalabrinians-jas... · 1905 2005 john baptist scalabrini...

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