Superiors General
Chronicle of the successors of St. John Baptist Scalabrini leading the Congregation’s global mission.
1. The Foundational Era (1887 – 1923)
The first steps of the Congregation under the guidance of the Founder, Monsignor Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, followed by the first generation of successors.
St. John Baptist Scalabrini1887 – 1905Click to read biography
Fr. Domenico Vicentini1905 – 1919Click to read biographyFr. Pacifico Chenuil1919 – 1923Click to read biography
2. Consistorial Dependency Era (1924 – 1951)
A unique phase in Scalabrinian history during which the Congregation was placed under the direct jurisdiction of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation in Rome, headed by the Card. Secretary pro tempore.
Sacred Consistorial Congregation Leadership
To consolidate structural stability, Rome appointed senior Cardinals to serve as direct administrators. Click on any cardinal to view their role during this transition period.
3. Resumption of Direct Election (1951 – Present)
Following the restoration of administrative autonomy, the General Chapters resumed electing the Superiors General directly, leading to international growth and expansion into Asia.
Fr. Francesco Prevedello1951 – 1957Click to read biographyFr. Raffaele Larcher1957 – 1963Click to read biographyFr. Giulivo Tessarolo1963 – 1969Click to read biographyFr. Renato Bolzoni1969 – 1974Click to read biographyFr. Giovanni Simonetto1974 – 1980Click to read biographyFr. Sisto Caccia1980 – 1992Click to read biographyFr. Luigi Valentino Favero1992 – 2000Click to read biographyFr. Isaia Birollo2001 – 2007Click to read biographyFr. Sergio Olivo Geremia2007 – 2012Click to read biographyFr. Alessandro Gazzola2012 – 2018Click to read biographyFr. Leonir Mario Chiarello2018 – PresentClick to read biography
St. John Baptist Scalabrini
1887 – 1905
St. John Baptist Scalabrini (1839–1905) was the Bishop of Piacenza and the founder of the Missionaries of St. Charles (Scalabrinians). Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997 and canonized by Pope Francis on October 9, 2022. Known as the ‘Father of Migrants’, his life was dedicated to social justice, catechism reform, and pastoral care for migrants travelling to the Americas.
Fr. Domenico Vicentini
1905 – 1919
Fr. Domenico Vicentini served as the second Superior General of the congregation following the death of Blessed Scalabrini. He guided the congregation through its transition into a stable society, introducing simple vows of perseverance for members to safeguard community unity during rapid post-founder growth.
Fr. Pacifico Chenuil
1919 – 1923
Fr. Pacifico Chenuil was elected as the third Superior General, guiding the congregation through the challenging post-WWI era. He focused heavily on restoring regular community life, standardizing missionary training, and expanding support facilities for emigrants.
Card. Gaetano De Lai
1924 – 1928
Cardinal Gaetano De Lai was the Secretary of the Consistorial Congregation who initiated the direct administrative care of the Scalabrinian Congregation, focusing on strengthening the canonical structures of the order.
Card. Carlo Perosi
1928 – 1930
Cardinal Carlo Perosi continued the papal administrative oversight of the congregation, guiding its integration in North American dioceses.
Card. Raffaele Rossi
1930 – 1948
Cardinal Raffaele Carlo Rossi guided the congregation for eighteen years through the Great Depression and World War II, ensuring financial stability and canonical consistency.
Card. Adeodato Piazza
1948 – 1951
Cardinal Adeodato Piazza managed the final years of the consistorial period, paving the way for the re-establishment of constitutional autonomy and the resumption of internal elections.
Fr. Francesco Prevedello
1951 – 1957
Fr. Francesco Prevedello was the first Superior General elected directly by the General Chapter following the restoration of autonomy, successfully steering the order back to internal administration.
Fr. Raffaele Larcher
1957 – 1963
Fr. Raffaele Larcher expanded Scalabrinian presence to Australia and Western Europe to assist the major post-war migration waves.
Fr. Giulivo Tessarolo
1963 – 1969
Fr. Giulivo Tessarolo led the congregation during the Second Vatican Council, successfully aligning its spiritual structures with modern ecclesiastical renewals.
Fr. Renato Bolzoni
1969 – 1974
Fr. Renato Bolzoni focused on implementing post-conciliar updates, encouraging deeper integration of lay ministries and updating seminary structures.
Fr. Giovanni Simonetto
1974 – 1980
Fr. Giovanni Simonetto pioneered study centers (such as in Rome and New York) to establish scientific database research for migrant policy advocacy.
Fr. Sisto Caccia
1980 – 1992
Fr. Sisto Caccia opened the Asian chapter of the congregation, approving the establishment of the Philippine mission in 1982.
Fr. Luigi Valentino Favero
1992 – 2000
Fr. Luigi Valentino Favero saw the Beatification of Founder Scalabrini in 1997, consolidated Taiwanese ministries, and expanded global port chaplaincies.
Fr. Isaia Birollo
2001 – 2007
Fr. Isaia Birollo initiated the discernment missions in Vietnam and expanded port ministry programs across Japan and other Asian contexts.
Fr. Sergio Olivo Geremia
2007 – 2012
Fr. Sergio Olivo Geremia strengthened global coordination of SIMN (Scalabrini International Migration Network) and raised high-level UN profiles.
Fr. Alessandro Gazzola
2012 – 2018
Fr. Alessandro Gazzola celebrated the congregation’s 125th anniversary, promoting international seminary updates and intercultural missions.
Fr. Leonir Mario Chiarello
2018 – Present
Fr. Leonir Mario Chiarello (current Superior General, re-elected in October 2024) oversaw the canonization of Saint John Baptist Scalabrini in 2022 and guides current global responses to modern displacement crises.
