3. THE MISSIONARIES OF ST. CHARLES FOR THE MIGRANTS

In January 1887, Bishop Scalabrini contacted the Holy See and offered to organize at once a society of priests to assist the emigrants.  In February, he submitted the first proposal and in the following months refined it.  On Nov. 15, Leo XIII gave his approval to the foundation of the Congregation of the Missionaries for the emigrants, which was officially born on Nov. 28, 1887.

Soon enough, the need was felt to complete the undertaking with a Congregation of women religious, which, in fact, was born on Oct. 25, 1895, with the help of Fr. Giuseppe Marchetti and Mother Assunta Marchetti.

The two Congregations share in the missionary activity of the Church.  The "mission" is conferred by the Pope and carried out under the guidance of the bishops.  Union with Christ and the universal Church is assured by union with the bishops and the Pope.  The local Church guarantees a pastoral methodology that is suited to the particular needs of the migrants.

The Missionary Fathers and Brothers and the Missionary Sisters obey the Redeemer's missionary mandate and continue the mission of Christ who was sent to bring good news to the poor.  The Missionaries fulfill Christ's mission in the same way the Lord himself fulfilled it.  They share in his Paschal "exodus" through the Cross.  They also share in his incarnation which took place within the social and cultural environment in which he lived ‑- poor, chaste, and obedient ‑- within an apostolic community.