Spirituality

Priests from two different religious communities and a diocesan priest are represented in the staff of Our Lady of Guadalupe, bringing their distinct spiritualities into their work, preaching, and teaching in the community. 

Fr. Ettore Rubin and Fr. Onorio Benacchio are members of the Congregation of Scalabrinis.  Their congregation, founded by blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, is called to share the mission of the Church by helping migrants discover and carry out the plan of salvation hidden in their lives and in human migration. 

Portrait of John Baptist Scalabrini

Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini was a bishop in Italy, when he recognized a pressing need in the Church and world - the care for the many Italian immigrants newly displaced throughout the world.  He founded a congregation, to meet, especially, the spiritual needs of so many migrant communities.  Today,the work of the congregation is carried out in the world, serving the needs of migrants, through: multi-ethnic parishes; missions with social services; centers for displaced people; media; nursing homes; schools; and centers for migration studies. 

"Where there is the people that work and suffer - THERE is the Church" -Bishop Giovanni Baptista Scalabrini.

To find out more about the Congregation of Scalabrinis click on the link below.

http://www.scalabrini.org/eng/english.htm

Spirituality

Fr. Patrick O'Connor is a member of the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales.  The Oblates are a congregation of priests and brothers, founded by Fr. Louis Brisson and Mother Mary DeSales Chappuis.  Their charism is to share the spirituality of St. Francis De Sales, Doctor of the Church, and gentleman saint; a spirituality which teaches that each and every person is favored by the Lord, can be in union with God, and can live a life of holiness. 

"How good it is to live here on Earth as we one day will live in heaven."  St. Francis De Sales 

As Bishop of Geneva, at the beginning of the 17th century, Francis was a prolific writer, and preacher - especially concerned with prayer and devotion, Francis taught that all people, regardless of who they were, could live a virtuous, joyful, and fulfilled life in union with the Lord God.  He exemplified, for his age, the Christian virtues of kindness, gentleness, humility, and charity.  He taught that through a life of prayer, and personally living the virtues - through you - the Kingdom of God would reign on Earth.  Though he was a bishop, he strove to live a life of simplicity, and humble service to his neighbor - very often his concerns were with the poor and needy.  Francis was also known for the deep, truly spiritual friendship he shared with St. Jane DeChantal.

"God loves you!  God loves you as if you are the only person he ever put upon this Earth.  He loves each of us this way!" St. Francis De Sales

To find out more about the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales click on the link below.

http://www.oblates.org/

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