Becoming a Scalabrinian

Discover the vocation and journey to become a missionary friend and companion to migrants, refugees, and seafarers.

If you have heard the voice of Jesus calling you, and your heart is filled with the joy of answering His call;
If you feel deep compassion like Jesus when you witness the plight of millions of migrants, refugees, and displaced families;
If you are drawn to the path of Saint John Baptist Scalabrini, wishing to walk a road of unyielding service and faith;
If you wish to join us, alongside Scalabrinian priests and brothers serving across 30+ countries globally, we invite you to begin your journey of vocational discernment.

Holy Cross Altar representing Vocational Discernment

“Here I am, Lord; send me.” — Responding to the call of the altar.

How Can I Discover My Vocation?

The word “vocation” stems from the Latin vocare, meaning “to call.” Every person is called by God to love, honor, and serve Him. We discover our specific vocation through prayer, reflection, and discernment.

Our formation program prepares young men to become religious and missionaries: religious, namely radical disciples of Jesus Christ who was poor, chaste and obedient; missionaries in the footsteps of St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, namely to become “migrants with the migrants” for the sake of the Kingdom of God, devoting their lives to the assistance and pastoral care of displaced peoples.

A quiet place for reflection, spiritual reading, and deep discernment.

Who are the Scalabrinians?

The Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians) are a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers founded in 1887 by St. Giovanni Battista Scalabrini. As a religious congregation, we take vows of:

Poverty: Living simply and sharing all things in common, freeing ourselves from material attachments to remain ready to serve wherever needed.
Chastity: Embracing celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God, dedicating our hearts to the service of God and all humanity.
Obedience: Listening to the voice of Christ through our superiors, remaining ready to be sent to serve where the need is greatest.

At the heart of the Scalabrinian charism is our fourth special vow: to be migrant chaplains and missionaries, serving migrants, refugees, seafarers, and displaced persons, cross-border and cross-cultural, in communion with the local church.

Scalabrinian fraternal life: Walk together as brothers and companions.

What do Scalabrinians do?

Historically and today, Scalabrinians are known as missionaries of the borderlands. We serve on the front lines of migration. Our apostolic work is diverse, adapting to the signs of the times and the needs of displaced communities:

Parish Ministry: Establishing multicultural parishes where migrants find a spiritual home and community support.
Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea): Welcoming seafarers, fishers, and port workers, providing them shelter, care, and advocate support.
Migration Centers & Shelters: Offering safe havens, legal aid, food, and transitional shelter to refugees and asylum seekers.
Advocacy & Research: Researching migration policies (through Scalabrini Migration Centers) and advocating for human rights and welcoming laws.

The 5 Stages of Scalabrinian Formation

Our comprehensive training process is designed to help candidates achieve human maturity, academic proficiency, and a deep spiritual and pastoral Scalabrinian formation:

1. Propaedeutic / Preparatory Year: Focuses on human development, initial community living, and establishing a baseline for spiritual discernment. Resides at Ruteng (Indonesia) or Manila (Philippines).
2. Philosophy (4-5 Years): Academic education where students complete philosophical studies at our major seminaries in Manila (Philippines) or Maumere (Indonesia).
3. Postulancy (1 Year): A year of deeper integration, living in community, and active spiritual discernment (resides at Cebu, Philippines).
4. Novitiate (1 Year): The official entry into religious life. Novices study the constitution, history, and charism of the congregation under the Novice Master (Cebu, Philippines).
5. Theology (4 Years): Deep theological preparation at the House of Studies in Manila, including a 1-2 year Regency period serving in an overseas Scalabrinian mission.

Mission travels and seaport Stella Maris

Sent globally to ports, borderlands, and multicultural parishes.

A Global Mission of Peripheries

Unlike diocesan clergy, Scalabrinian missionaries are not bound to a single local diocese. We are sent worldwide, especially to the borders and “peripheries” where faith, culture, and borders intersect. Our members live rich, international lives, serving in different countries and learning multiple languages throughout their missionary journey.

Exodus Magazine: Vocation Sharing

Want to learn what it is like to live as a Scalabrinian missionary? In our regional publication, Exodus Magazine, our seminarians, priests, and lay advocates share personal stories of their journeys of faith, leaving their homelands, and discovering their passion for helping migrants.

Read Vocation Stories in Exodus Magazine

Vocation Requirements & Stages

If you feel drawn to join our community, your journey is structured based on your academic and professional background:

High School Students

Candidates who have finished high school are welcomed into our orientation programs. You will be encouraged and supported to prepare for college entrance exams while living in community.

College Students

If you are currently pursuing a college degree, you can join our community as an intern/aspirant, living in a local community while completing your studies.

University Graduates

Graduates are welcomed into our Aspirancy program, focusing on English proficiency, spiritual life, community service, and preparatory studies before entering the Novitiate.

Contact Our Vocation Promoters

If you wish to inquire about vocations, seek spiritual guidance, or visit one of our formation houses in the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Province, please reach out to our regional offices: