The Scalabrinian Sisters celebrate their founder Scalabrini with an active presence in two new contexts of human mobility: in El Paso – USA and in Panama.
Present in 27 countries working with migrants and refugees, the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters (MSCS) celebrate the occasion of Scalabrini’s anniversary – June 1 – with two new missionary presences.
Both missions (El Paso and Panama) are located in key corridors of the contemporary human mobility, as Sr. Nyzelle Dondé, MSCS – Mission Coordinator for Central America, North America and the Caribbean: “The presence in the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, USA, began on April 11, 2024 with Sister Elisete Signor and Sister Roschelle Isada, and Sister Leticia Gutiérrez will soon join them, welcoming migrants from Central America, South America and many other parts of the world. Furthermore, in the Archdiocese of Panama City, in order to accompany migrants in transit, the reinforcement of the Pastoral Care of Human Mobility will begin on June 1, 2024, the day on which we celebrate the Saint of Migrants, St. John Baptist Scalabrini”. (https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=769108538696883&id=100067932310958&mibextid=qi2Omg&rdid=mnIk19Ic46lPvfyK ).
Starting on April 11, 2024, the Scalabrinian Missionary Sisters have been present in the local church of El Paso, Texas, “in response to the Scalabrinian Charism, given the migratory flow in the region, one of the most frequented migratory corridors. This represents a great challenge, but also an opportunity for a prophetic response in the Church and in society,” says Provincial Superior Sr Luiza Dal Moro. The missionary community, made up of MSCS Sisters of different nationalities – Brazilian, Filipino and Mexican, are sharing the migratory experience and, together with the local Church, are working with the people who cross the border, rebuilding lives and hoping for a better tomorrow.
Immigration and the demands that migrants and refugees face in their journeys and the suffering they endure mobilize the Church. Once again, in response to the people on the move and to the Scalabrinian charism, and at the request of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Panama, who is also Vice President of CELAM – the Latin American Episcopal Council, the date of June 1st has a special celebration for the MSCS Sisters: the start of a new mission in Panama. The Provincial Superior explains: “The migratory context of Panama, which is geographically located as a bridge between South America and North America via the Darien, a transit route for irregular migration, has become the main route of passage, with an ever-increasing migratory flow and high vulnerability, creating a great challenge for pastoral and humanitarian care, but also an opportunity for a prophetic response.” The aim of this new mission in Central America is to strengthen the Pastoral Care of Human Mobility in the Archdiocese of Panama.
