1839 – The Early Life of Saint John Baptist Scalabrini
Saint John Baptist Scalabrini was born in 1839 in Fino Mornasco, Italy. From an early age, he felt called to dedicate his life to God and the Church. Ordained as a priest at the age of twenty four, he became known for his compassion, strong faith, and dedication to helping those in need.

1870 – A Pastor Dedicated to Service
At thirty one years old, Scalabrini became pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish in Como, Italy. There, he focused heavily on education, charity, and caring for the sick and poor. He became recognized for his pastoral leadership and deep commitment to social outreach within the community.

1875 – Bishop of Piacenza
At just thirty six years old, Scalabrini was appointed Bishop of Piacenza, where he would serve for the next twenty nine years. During this time, he visited all 365 parishes in his diocese multiple times, often traveling through difficult mountainous terrain to personally connect with his people.

1879 – Humanitarian and Social Outreach
During a severe drought between 1879 and 1880, Bishop Scalabrini established soup kitchens that distributed nearly 250,000 bowls of soup to those in need. He also supported orphans, prisoners, the sick, and vulnerable families, even selling personal belongings to continue funding relief efforts. That same year, he founded an institute for the hearing and speech impaired.

1887 – Founding the Missionaries of St. Charles
As millions of Italians began emigrating to North and South America, Scalabrini recognized the struggles migrants faced while leaving their homeland. In response, he founded the Missionaries of St. Charles in 1887 to provide spiritual, social, and humanitarian support for migrants and refugees worldwide.

1895 – Expanding the Mission
Scalabrini later founded the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles in 1895, continuing to expand his vision of serving migrants, refugees, and displaced communities through faith, advocacy, and compassionate care.

1905 – The Passing of a Visionary Leader
Bishop Scalabrini passed away in 1905 after dedicating his life to faith, social justice, education, and the care of migrants and the poor. His work laid the foundation for a worldwide mission that continues today.

1979 – Villa Scalabrini Continues the Mission
Since 1979, the Scalabrinian Missionaries have carried forward Saint Scalabrini’s mission at Villa Scalabrini in Sun Valley, California, providing compassionate care and support for the elderly while honoring the values of dignity, faith, and service.

1997 – Beatification by Pope John Paul II
In 1997, Pope John Paul II officially declared Bishop Scalabrini “Blessed,” recognizing his lifelong dedication to holiness, humanitarian work, and the care of migrants around the world.
2022 – Canonized a Saint

On October 9, 2022, Pope Francis canonized John Baptist Scalabrini as a Saint of the Catholic Church, honoring him as the “Father of Migrants” and recognizing his enduring legacy of compassion, faith, and advocacy for vulnerable communities worldwide.