The Scalabrini Museum
The Mother House of the Scalabrinian Missionaries, Piacenza, Italy
All items displayed were donated
The "Scalabrini" Museum came to exist because of a series of donations extending over a period of time, starting soon after the death of J.B. Scalabrini on June 1st, 1905, on the part of the Bishop's closest cooperators, such as Msgr. Camillo Mangot, Msgr. Ludovico Mondini, Carlo Spallazzi, some of his missionaries, and other priest from Piacenza. The systematic classification of the articles that piece by piece were being added, came later and received a good boost by the canonical process (1936) and even more by the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the death of the Founder in 1955.
The recent final lay out of the Museum in the hall alongside the "Stradone Farnese, was realized thanks to the cooperation of professor Paolo Perotti, working on a sketch by architect Paolo Dallanoce. It must be pointed out that many of the objects that are particularly striking for their beauty and artistic value: Liturgical Vestments, paintings, sacred implements, parchments, etc., were offered to the Bishop as presents, about 400 of them, in 1901 on the occasion of his Episcopal Jubilee, a celebration that was observed with great solemnity both in Italy and abroad.
It is a fact that he disposed of the most part of these presents. In fact, Bishop Scalabrini's daily stile of living was very simple and modest, consumed as he was by his demanding pastoral commitments and by an habitual, concrete practice of charity onr behalf of people of any social class. His special love for the dignity and propriety of liturgical celebrations, for the sacred vestments, and for the places of worship, beginning with the Cathedral of Piacenza, was a known fact. The collections displayed in this museum then reflect substantially the life style, the interests, the profound piety, and spirituality of Bishop J. B. Scalabrini.
Guided tour
To enter the Museum, you must climb a granite, barrel-vaulted staircase. In the lobby, downstairs, you can admire a brief sequence of photographs dedicated to the phenomenon of the Italian migration, the very images that drew the specific pastoral attention of Bishop Scalabrini: migrants at their departure, migrants during the trip, and as they settled in different countries accompanied by their priests. On the vault above the entrance hangs a painting of the Founder in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament; the work a bit oleographic of painter Nazareno Sidoli, from Piacenza. It is an obvious witness to the Bishop's eucharistic devotion which he cultivated with intensity, and which formed the subject of some of the most memorable pages that he wrote.
The walls of the staircase are decorated with portraits of some people who played a significant part in the history of the Congregation, among whom the Carmelite Cardinal Raffaello Carlo Rossi, Superior General and second founder who reintroduced the religious vows in 1934. Bishop Scalabrini had wanted the vows, but they were later substituted with a promise of perseverance; Father Francesco Tirondola, who was in charge of the Scalabrinian seminaries during the period of their revival. Just inside the Museum, in chronological sequence are displayed the different photographic portraits of Bishop Scalabrini, beginning with the one showing him in his younger years at age 36 at the time of his episcopal ordination in 1876; up to those of his maturity towards the end of his life. The plaque bearing the name of the Scalabrini Museum reproduces the medallion created in memory of the Founder on the 25th anniversary of foundation of the Scalabrinian Congregation. Alwaws at the entrance, on the left, have been placed the suitcases and the wicker chair utilized by J.B. Scalabrini during his boat trip to South Anerica in 1904: symbolic reminders of his earthly journey and of his identification with the world of migrants.
Walls to the left
• Beautiful portrait of John Baptist Scalabrini's intimate friend, the Very Reverend Geremia Bonomelli, Bishop of Cremona (1831-1914); the confrere who stood at his side during the many religious and political fights, and who shared also the commitment towards the Italian emigrants, founding in 1900 the Institue of Assistance to the Italian workers in Europe. The impressionist painting is by V. Corcos, 1911.
• "I due salici piangenti" (the Two weeping willows) parchment donated to bishop Scalabrini by Cremons's Catholics for the 25th Anniversary of his Episcopal Consecration: "Very glad to see recognized at such an international level the virtues, the knowledge, the heart of the greatest friend of the Bishop of Cremona": Fr. Emilio Lombardi, pastor, - Tranquillo Guarnieri, - painted by Fr. Giuseppe Ferrari, 1901.
• Painting representing the house where Bishop Scalabrini was born in Fino Mornasco, Como, Italy; realized by artist A. Formis, donated by Count Francesco Caracciolo, Piacenza, 1886.
Walls to the right
• Portrait of Bishop Scalabrini: the work of painter Luigi Morgari from Turin, 1901.
The expressive work, with massive gold-plated frame surmounted by the coat of arms of the Bishop, was commissioned by the Warden Committee (Fabbricceria) of the Cathedral (which he had just restored at great costs), and donated to Bishop Scalabrini on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee.
• The departure of the first ten missionaries for the American Missions: painting by Pacifico Sidoli from Piacenza, 1888. The church of the painting is the Basilica of Martyr Saint Antoninus where on July 12th, 1888 the Founder handed the crucifix to the first priests ready to reach their mission assignments. It should not be forgotten also that until the Mother House became available in 1892, the first candidates for the mission among the migrants were lodged in the rectory of the same Basilica, guests of the Provost Msgr. Domenico Costa, superior of the first community,
• The Missionary Congregation was founded on November 28th, 1887, after the Bishop received the approval of the Holy See, and the first two priests, Father Giuseppe Molinari of Piacenza, and Father Domenico Mantese ofVicenza, came to join it.
• Large composition on a gold-plated wooden board containing the portrait of the Founder, and various moments of his apostolic activity: the Pastoral Visits, five of them, conducted in person to the 365 parishes; the restoration of the Cathedral, 1901; the assistance to the emigrants; the institute for deafmute girls, the relief services to the poor, during the 1879 famine in particular, when he made available all his patrimony. A gift from clergy and faithful of Val Lauretta for his silver Jubilee, on May 1901.
Booking a visit
To visit the Museum please contact: Casa Madre (Mother House)
Istituto Cristoforo Colombo (Secretary)
Via Francesco Torta 14
29100 Piacenza
Tel. 0523.34.86.11
Fax. 0523.34.86.31