2008
Xaverian Mission
Volume 56, Number 1
“Who Draws the Lines Around Countries?”
S
everal years ago I read a book entitled Children’s Letters to
God, and one of my favorites was a very short letter which
consisted of a simple question. The question was this:
Dear God, Who draws the lines around coun-
tries?
So, who draws the lines around
countries? Who makes the atlases
and the maps? I’ve traveled by
plane many a time, and as I
looked down over mountain
ranges and lakes, oceans and
plains, often I could not dis-
tinguish where one state or
one country ended and anoth-
er began.
We humans are the ones to
draw lines around countries. We
make limits and boundaries. We
separate and divide. We create
labels and establish categories.
Jesus, too, had to deal with categories.
He returns to Nazareth for the first time
since leaving home and preaches a brilliant sermon
in the synagogue, but as his fellow citizens listen to him, they
cannot believe that a local carpenter could show such wisdom.
They had undoubtedly heard stories about his miracles, but it
was obvious to them that what he did best was make things like
tables and doors. He was one of them. He had relatives all
“All the Churches for All the World”
P
ope Benedict XVI, addressing the need and importance
of the Church’s missionary action, also in our time,
invites the local Churches - missionary by their very
nature - of every continent to rediscover with renewed energy
the urgency of “mission ad gentes”. Many are the challenges and
the conflicting forces which affect today’s world, and the Pope
calls “mission ad gentes” a must for the Church.
This renewed call by the Pope leads me to reflect on my
experience in Taiwan, on our Founder Blessed Guido Maria
Conforti, our Patron Saint Francis Xavier and Cardinal Richard
Cushing. So, I would like to take a walk, so to say, through this
message by having as my companions these people and these
experiences.
Newsletter
around the town. He was just ordinary, nothing extraordinary
about him at all. They had him all figured out and fitted into
categories. They did not believe in him and so he was able to
do practically nothing for the people of his home-
town, (Mt. 13).
If you are a young woman or a young
man who has traveled to or attended
school in another state or country
you have been given the opportu-
nity to abolish categories and to
break down the barriers which all
too often keep us from knowing,
accepting and trusting one
another. You have learned that
beneath all our differences of
nation, color, race, religion, socio-
economic class, we are unique
individuals, dreamed up in the
mind of God, created out of love,
and reflecting God in a way that can
never be repeated. The other person,
then, is always brother or sister. The other
is always a child of God, a dwelling place of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and therefore
deserving of respect and profound reverence.
Gifted with this experience, you are now being sent on a
mission. Bear witness to what you have seen and heard and
lived. Never give way to narrow categories or hasty generaliza-
(continued next page)
Once in Taiwan, one of the first Chinese phrases, Zhang
laoshi (my Chinese teacher) thought me was “Tian Xia Yi Jia”
which can be roughly translated as: under the sky we are one
family. We may come from different lands, enriched by differ-
ent languages, cultural backgrounds and religious expressions,
yet, Chinese wisdom reminds us, we are all inter-connected
and belong to the one human family created in the image and
likeness of God.
Pope Benedict calls his message “All the Churches for all the
World”, and by it he summarizes this call to unity and inter-
connectedness. The churches of “ancient tradition” and the
churches of “recent tradition” are to go back to the gift of faith
received, a gift which makes all of them part of the family of
(continued next page)
"Who draws the Lines (continued from cover)
tions. Expand your horizons and expand your hearts. Learn to
see every man, woman and child as your brother and sister, as
another Christ. And when you see Christ in others, especially in
the poor and the marginalized, serve him generously. Of course,
you may categorize yourself and say, I am no missionary. I am too
young, lacking in experience and certainly lacking in power, but
don’t forget St. Paul’s words in I Corinthians 1:25-31, where he says
that when he is weak, Christ’s power dwells in him. With Christ
in you, you have much, much to give, both today and tomorrow.
You know very well the words “men and women for and with oth-
ers.” Now make them come alive—in you.
As by this issue of the Xaverian Mission Newsletter we mean to
present ourselves, we begin with our Founder, Blessed Guido M.
Conforti, and St. Francis Xavier, whose name we bear.
And here a story about Xavier and a few words of Conforti
which he spoke on the occasion of a mission departure of his sons
will offer us a trampoline from which to sprint.
St. Ignatius Loyola was about to send two Jesuits off to Asia. It
was a dangerous assignment. Half of the ships that left Portugal
never reached Asia. Many missionaries died within ten years of
their arrival. One of the Jesuits whom Ignatius wanted to send,
became ill, and so Francis Xavier stepped forward and said, “Here
I am. Send me!” And off he went.
This is the man we’re honored to have as our Patron and
model.
To four of his missionaries leaving for China, our Founder,
Bishop Conforti, said:
“The missionary is the finest and most splendid example of the
ideal life. In spirit, he has contemplated Jesus Christ who points
out to the apostles the world to gain for the gospel, not by the force
of weapons, but with persuasion and love, and he was captivated
by Him…” And he urges us on to follow the footsteps of Francis
Xavier: “Yes, go and preach the universal brotherhood proclaimed
by Christ, destined to break down all barriers and make of all men
and women one big family, respecting nationalities and pertinent
human rights, united by the bond of Christian love.”
May all of us, you and I, be fired by some of that same spirit. U
– Fr. Tony Lalli, s.x.

All the Churches (continued from page 1)

God, and which also has to be given to the world that “all may have structures; the power to give meaning to one’s life and purpose to
life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The Pope feels so strong- one’s actions. This is why Blessed Conforti invited and challenged
ly about this common missionary vocation that he encourages all us to keep our “minds and hearts always fixed on Jesus”.
the Local Churches to move beyond internal needs, difficulties
In “All Churches for all the World”, Pope Benedict recalls how
and challenges, lest they fall into the trap of closing in on them-
Pope Pius XII with his Encyclical Fidei donum (The Gift of Faith
selves. He urges them to respond with generosity to the missionary
- 1957) “promoted and encouraged cooperation between Churches
call which the Lord never tires to address to all the baptized, today
for the mission ‘ad gentes,’” Moved by that Encyclical many priests
as 2000 years ago: “Go therefore and make disciples of all
(called for this reason fidei donum priests) left for Africa, Asia and
nations…” (Mt 28: 19-20). This invitation by Jesus, the Pope says,
Latin America to enable the yeast of the Gospel to ferment cultures
calls upon each member of the church to accept and make it an
and societies. It was then that Richard Cardinal Cushing of
integral part of one’s being a disciple of Jesus in today’s world. Be
Boston founded in 1958 the Missionary Society of Saint James the
a participant and not a bystander in the mission ad gentes of the
Apostle. His idea was to assemble a team of diocesan priests to
Church, in the mission of bringing the Good News of Jesus to the
serve the needs of the poorest of the poor in Latin America.
ends of the earth.
In these examples and in these people we believers of the 21st
As we heed this invitation, we are not alone, we are not walking
Century witness in a transparent way the zeal and the fire for the
an unbeaten path, for others before us have opened and shown us
Gospel, the fire which Pope Benedict hopes to stir up anew when
the way. Saint Francis Xavier, our patron, whose zeal for the
he calls on all the faithful to see mission ad gentes not as passive
Gospel spurred him to leave his native Spain, became a messenger
spectators, but as pro-active and main actors: “… it is against the
of Good News to the ends of the earth. Xavier crossed borders and
courage to evangelize that believers’ love for the Lord can be mea-
in such a way that others too were touched by the Gospel and
sured”.
became themselves messengers of Good News. Our Founder,
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti, in his untiring zeal, desired to call Finally, we are urged to pray for vocations and pray with
together in a community people who take to heart the same invita- renewed zeal so that God’s reign may come
tion of Jesus, “Go and make disciples of all nations”: by crossing on earth, and to call upon the Virgin Mary,
boundaries, they strive to facilitate the transformation of the “who promptly accompanied the nascent
“world into one single family”. Church, to guide our footsteps and gain for
us a Pentecost of love. In particular, may
Francis Xavier and Blessed Conforti knew, and Pope Benedict
she make us aware that we are all mission-
confirms it, that mission ad gentes does not stem from some vague
aries, called by the Lord to be His witnesses
idea, or social considerations, or ideological analysis, rather it
in every moment of our lives.” U
comes from a deep relationship between the believer and Jesus
– Fr. Joe Matteucig, s.x.
Christ continually relished and cultivated. The encounter with
Jesus does have, indeed, the power to deeply change peoples and

2 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008

“The Love of Christ
Urges Us On!”
In spirit, the missionary has
contemplated Jesus Christ who
points out to the apostles
the world to gain for the Gospel,
not by the force of weapons,
but with persuasion and love,
and he was captivated by Him…
I
t was December. 3rd, l895 when a
30-year old priest, Guido Maria
Conforti, after much reflection and
prayer, officially began, with a small group
of fourteen young men, a seminary for
missionaries under the patronage of St.
Francis Xavier. They would live in a house
that Conforti bought with his meager sav-
ings. It was a poor and humble begin-
ning…, the first step of a totally unpredict-
able adventure…. A small seed had been
planted….
Blessed Guido sent his missionaries to
China where their Model and Patron, Saint
Francis Xavier, had hoped to arrive. Today,
the Xaverian Missionaries, some 900
strong, are working not only in China, as it
was during the life of our Founder, but in
twenty other countries. Over the years,
more than two hundred Xaverians have
already died, some of them in mission
fields, as witnesses of God’s love to their
people.
Indeed, the little seed planted under St.
Francis Xavier patronage over one hundred
and ten years ago, has grown far and wide.
From its native soil of Parma and its origi-
nal mission field of China, the Xaverian
Congregation landed on the shores of
North America in 1940s and extended its
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti and Saint Francis Xavier.
reaches from north to south of Italy, crossed
the Alps into France, Spain and Great
Britain. There our “Mission Education
Centers” strive to focus the local Christian
communities on participating in the uni-
versal mission of the Church.
For us Xaverians
the greatest treasure
and the most important
contribution we can make
to the world is the Good
News of the Gospel.
Since the early 50’s, however, “their faith
and hope more powerful than their insecu-
rity,” urged by the appeal of the Holy
Father, the Xaverians have crossed oceans
and continents and set up their tents with
the peoples of Latina America in Brazil,
Mexico and Colombia; of Africa in the
Congo, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Cameroun
and Chad and Mozambique; and of the
immense areas of Asia in Japan and Taiwan,
Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines.
And, finally again, they have returned to
China, our Founder’s first mission out-
reach.
In spite of all the changes through the
decades, today as yesterday, the certainty
remains for us Xaverians that the greatest
treasure and the most important contribu-
tion we can make to the world is the Good
News of the Gospel. The richest
inheritance that we have received from
those Xaverians who have preceded us in
this adventure is a spirit of family, that way
of living the Gospel that makes us breathe,
feel and live as brothers and sisters in one
family.
“At a time in which dialogue has become
one of the most vital aspects of our service
to the Kingdom, the Xaverian, firm in his
faith, lets himself be challenged by other
cultures and religions in order to discern
and embrace the ‘seeds of the Word’ already
there, always ready and willing to respond
to those who ask him about the reason for
his hope”.
The Lord who welcomed the sowing of a
little seed, blessed the visible work of its
planting and watering, and has given the
growth and the fruits his love, which “urges
us on”, always bears. U
X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 3
 Francis Xavier and Guido Maria Conforti

Two Lives | One Mission

Everything became clear with the gift of a book!

T
he mysterious encounter needed to be clarified, however. The encounter
had happened in the “Church of Peace”, but it left nothing in peace.
On his way to school, young Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931), of
Parma, Italy, used to enter a little church by the side of the road. Behind the
altar, a large Crucifix. The young man looked, looked, and looked as if held by
an irresistible force. The Crucified, in the silence of the chapel, was speaking to
his heart: “That’s how love is!” How to repay such a love? By giving all, by giv-
ing oneself wholly and completely... How can this be? The book on the life of
Saint Francis Xavier got into the hands of young Guido as a crystal-clear
answer to those questions and led him to a decision: “I will give totally of myself,
my possessions and all within my reach to announce the Gospel to all peoples.”

That’s how two lives crossed each other, two missionary adventures,
two witnesses in the same missionary spirituality.
There is no other in history. Separated by the span of three centuries,
Francis and Guido lived in cultures, historical moments, life experiences and
world views quite different.
Xavier lived in the 16th century and Conforti in the 19th. Xavier spent his
apostolic life traveling by land and sea, from Europe to India and all the way to
Japan. Conforti only occasionally left his city. Yet we find at the origin of the
two spiritual and missionary quests the same impelling force, the same start-
ing point: the contemplation of the love of the Father, revealed, ‘exploded’, as
it were, in His Son, Jesus Crucified.
“We are here out of love!” These words recur as a refrain in Francis Xavier’s
letters.

Xavier Castle coils like a spiral shell, and Francis as a child could not
get to his family’s living quarters, at the center of the castle, without passing
by the chapel where there stood a large Crucifix – now known as “Xavier’s
Smiling Crucifix,”- just as young Guido could not get to school without passing
by the little church where was hung the Crucifix that had caught his undivided
attention.
The mothers had taught their children not to fix their gaze on the wounds,
the nails, the blood, but on the love of the Son of Man for humankind. The love
of the Father, in the Son, through the action of the Holy Spirit, will always be
the origin and power, the dynamism and the final goal of the tireless mission-
ary activity of Francis and Guido.
As adults, they will find in the Sacred Scriptures the words for this experi-
ence: “The love of Christ impels us, urges us on, incites us... Woe to me if I do not
evangelize...
Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God for us, made manifest
in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

4 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008

 Between Xavier and Conforti spans the space of three centuries. Yet we
find in the two spiritual and missionary adventures the same moving forces:
the triple contemplation of the love of the father in his crucified Son Jesus, in
people’s features and in the project of the brotherhood of all.

Mission is born of an experience The face of Xavier’s The semblance of the

of love, an experience so intimate and smiling Crucifix, kept Father of all takes us to a
strong that one, in joy and freedom, in the chapel of the
third great dynamic force of
gives oneself wholly to the Father for family castle, in the
region of Navarre (Spain).
mission: the brotherhood of all.
the sake of the Gospel. The person Mission is to announce the
who knows him/herself loved by Below: existence of a Father of all and
Christ lives an intense passion, as if The face of the Founder’s to recognize the other as broth-
‘driven to madness by love’…. Crucifix, kept in the er and sister. There are no
Shrine orphans: we are all brothers
“He died for all”, since every per- of Blessed Conforti, in and sisters.
son was created in the image and like- Parma (Italy)
ness of God. This contemplation would lead
both Xavier and Conforti to
Here is the second great contem-
look positively at their own his-
plative and dynamic force in the life
torical situation. For Francis
of Francis Xavier and of Guido Maria
the discovery of new lands and
Conforti. One needs to have the deep
of peoples until then unknown
eye of a prophet to see beyond the
to the West; for Guido the
face of every woman and man the
development of technology and
invisible face of God.
of the means of communication (trains, cars, ships,
Francis on his trip to Japan witnesses radio, telephone, movies, ...): each stirred up enthusi-
the religious rituals of the sailors dur- asm in him for one more opportunity offered by the
ing times of storms or during times of Lord for humanity to meet, to unite and to transform
becalmed seas. Fate determined their relationships of competition into relationships of soli-
plans. Francis prays for them, because darity: the chance to finally build a world of brother-
“these, too, You created in your own hood. Wouldn’t they be stirred and excited by today’s
image and likeness”. After all, he had highways of the Internet as tool for evangelization?
decided to travel all the way to Japan
For Xavier the new sea routes, for Guido the rapid
because there “many images and like-
means of communication.... Situations are different,
nesses of God” awaited
history changes, but the dream is the same: to make of
In the 137 letters of Francis, as the world one family with respect for the character, the
well as in the writings of Bishop culture, the tongue of each people and person, and to
Conforti, we find two basic charac- live together in justice and peace. Isn’t the process of
teristics of missionary spirituality: mission as “mining” and mis- globalization in which we live today one more opportunity the
sion as “restitution”. The missionary, first of all, goes prospecting Father offers to revive in us the dream of the brotherhood of all?
for the treasures that are to be found in peoples and in persons.
Out of this triple contemplation– of the Crucifix, of the
They are there, as the nuggets of gold in the earth.
likeness of God in everyone, and of universal brotherhood–
The missionary is like a prospector in search of “gold” in the springs up an untiring activity and commitment in all the initia-
midst of humankind. Once found he makes it shine with the light tives which may lead people and societies live happily together.
of Christ. Then, begins the process of restitution: etched on the
Gratefully happy and trusting in the Lord, the missionary con-
face and in the heart of every woman and of every man, the mis-
tinues on his way, difficulties and sufferings notwithstanding. Not
sionary contemplates the image and the name of the Creator and
even the possibility of martyrdom quenches his joy and his hope
gives to God what belongs to God. The missionary cannot but be a
for a better world: an unshakable hope in a land without evils. U
contemplative. He contemplates the love of God revealed to him-
self and to all; and contemplates the face of his Lord in every – Fr. Alfiero Ceresoli, s.x.
human being.

X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 5

THE XAVERIANS IN THE USA:

SERVING THE LOCAL CHURCH AS MISSIONARIES

A
t the time of Guido M. Conforti’s death in 1931, no one imagined his
sons landing on the shores of the USA. But it had been his dream as
revealed by his closest collaborator, Fr. Giovanni Bonardi. That dream
was realized through Fr. Henry Frassineti, who, on his way from China to
accompany a sick confrere back to Italy, in 1941, found himself “stranded”
here by the political vicissitudes of WWII. It was a fortuitous beginning,
providential nonetheless, after China, it was the first Xaverian foundation
outside of Italy.
At first, Fr. Henry supported himself by working in the diocese of New
York, and through the Maryknoll Missionaries sent help to the China mis-
sions. Finally, in 1946, through the help and encouragement of Scalabrinian
Fr. Pietro Maschi, founding pastor of St. Tarcisius in Framingham, MA, Fr. Celebrating Thanksgiving: the Xaverians of
Henry made contact with Archbishop Cushing of Boston writing to him: “We Holliston, MA, and of Wayne, NJ, with the
need a helping hand… above all in view of the fact that we have to carry on Xaverian Sisters of Worcester, MA.
our work in the mission field, work that already cost many of our missionaries
much pain, sweat, tears and blood.”
And Archbishop, (later Cardinal) Cushing, not only warmly received the
Xaverian Congregation in Boston, but offered them his friendship and indi-
cated an abandoned farm-house in Holliston as a good place to start. Once
renovated, the house was blessed on September 14, 1947 feast of the Holy
Cross, present also Frs. Illuminati and Begheldo who had joined Fr. Henry,
and a young man, Robert S. Maloney, of Lawrence, MA, who entered on that
day and became the first American to take the vows as a Xaverian.
Archbishop Cushing, a great friend of the missions himself, was also
instrumental in the building of a Minor Seminary in Holliston and of Our
Lady of Fatima Shrine.
St. Therese Chinese Mission Church, Chicago, IL:
In 1957, another farm, in Franklin, WI, became the site of a Theology Fr. Marcos and three of our theology students
House. celebrating a baptism.

Today, Franklin is college seminary, language students residence and mis-

sion education center.
A dozen years later, Divine Providence smiled on a new enterprise, the
Provincial headquarters in the New York area. The Wayne, NJ, house was the
unexpected gift of generous benefactors.
It is also our “mission procure” and a vocation center.
The Theology House was moved to Chicago, IL, in 1973, as part of the
Chicago Theological Union, (CTU), because of the school’s mission programs
and variety of ministries. Also in Chicago, the “St. Therese Chinese Catholic
Mission” serves pastoral needs in the heart of Chinatown and is a place of
Franklin, WI: Our Xavier Knoll community.
“training” for our Theology students.
Wherever we are, we are very much a part of the local church as missionar-
ies, as our Founder insisted that we be. The multiple services offered in mis- and worked in the USA have been serving in every
sion education, ministry, vocation ministry, formation and training, are pro- mission area assigned to the congregation.
foundly marked by the mission charism of Blessed Conforti.
Much has been accomplished with the help of
Through the past sixty years, the American Province has been an impor- friends and benefactors, diocesan priests, Mission
tant crossroad for the Xaverian world. It has provided theology studies, lan- Leagues, and pilgrims at Fatima Shrine in Holliston;
guage courses, higher education, and other services to missionaries world- with young people considering a vocation call, and
wide. It also pioneered the way for the Xaverian congregation to become the prayers of the ill and the elderly. Yes, beginnings
international, the first to receive and train for the priestly and missionary life may seem to happen by chance, but they can be
young men, local and from other countries. And Xaverians who were trained providential and blessed beginnings. U

6 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008

 ASIA BECKONS AND CHALLENGES
OUR FIRST LOVE LAND OF A THOUSAND RIVERS

A sia has ever captured the attention of great missionaries,

from St. Thomas the Apostle to St. Francis Xavier and
since. Indeed Asia seems to offer a real chal-
Over a 120 Xaverians have served in BANGLADESH since
1952. This nation has few resources indeed, save for the enterpris-
ing initiative and long suffering patience of its people most of
whom struggle every day just to
lenge to the Church, with only 2% of the survive. Working in the diocese of
population being Christian. Kuhlna, and in others, the
CHINA was the first - and for fifty years Xaverians have shared the lot of
the only – Xaverian mission, where 116 their people, and have witnessed
Xaverians worked and/died, among them, Fr. the very slow progress and growth
Rastelli and Fr. Botton, who died as martyrs. of the Christian communities,
scattered along interminable riv-
Today a modest, low-key presence marks a ers. These communities have seen
new beginning and renewed hope in this enor- the martyrdom of two Xaverians,
mous land where Christianity has the largest Fr. Veronesi and Fr. Cobbe. Fr.
percentage growth in the world. Cobbe had studied and served in
Japan: The faith sustains them. the USA .

THE GATEWAY TO CHINA

Since 1990, TAIWAN welcomes a small community of Xaverians
as a foothold for their yet meager presence in China, in more
recent and changed world political relationships.
China is the land where the Xaverian missionary apostolate
began.

THE ARCHPELAGO OF HOPE

For our latest mission
effort in Asia, we looked
to THE PHILIPPINES
Taiwan: Fr. Joe Matteucig with youth animators for a Xaverian center
of his parish. and international theol-
ogy community. The
A PEOPLE SEEKING THE LIGHT Philippines for centuries
have responded to the
The JAPAN mission was opened in 1949 with three missionar-
Christian message. On
ies exiled from China, and now counts with 25 centers. The 40 or
December 3, 1992, feast
so Xaverians now there give witness to the Good News in quite an
of St. Francis Xavier,
extensive activity, from parish ministry to teaching in the univer-
Cardinal Sin of Manila Fr. Carl Chudy baptising in our parish
sities and directing schools for children, from assisting the sick
entrusted to the church in Quezon City, Philippines.
and the lepers to engaging in dialogue with Buddhists.
Xaverians a new parish
on the outskirts of the city. A house for Xaverian students was
A CORNER OF PARADISE built near the church. There we provide training and formation for
Theology students, and already Filipino Xaverians are part of this
In 1951, eight Xaverians, also expelled from China, set out for missionary effort in a land that is indeed fertile for mission voca-
the INDONESIAN ARCHIPELAGO of over 4,000 islands. They tions.
went to Sumatra, one of the larger islands, and to the Mentaways,
islands almost swallowed up by old forests and by the sea, where Reasons for hope and challenge are not lacking for the future of
no Catholic missionary had ever set foot. Indonesia in which 95% the Church on the Asian continent. The Asian bishops have said,
of the population follows Islam, is the world’s largest Muslim “The proclamation of Jesus Christ is the central and principal ele-
country. Today there are flourishing and numerous Christian ment of evangelization… to proclaim the Gospel through a living
communities, whence many young Indonesians have joined the witness and dialogue: this is the first duty of the Churches of
ranks of the Xaverians. Asia.” U

X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 7

 LATIN AMERICA REKINDLES ITS MISSIONARY VOCATION
FOR THE YOUTH AND THE INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE

A
little over 475 years ago, in 1531, Our Lady appeared
at Guadalupe to Juan Diego, a Mexican Indian. Six
years later, 9 millions Mexican Indians had been
converted to Christianity. The Virgin Mary had opened the
hearts of the Mexican people to evangelization.
So, the Xaverian Missionaries were late comers into
MEXICO, when, in 1951, they started by educating the
young at the “L’Istituto Cultural de Occidente” in Mazatlan.
Soon the initial labors began to bear fruits of vocations. The
first seminary opened 12 years later, and then houses in
other places: about 14 mission centers and parishes, all ori-
ented to prepare missionaries for non-Christians or to the
pastoral care of indigenous peoples of rich, ancient and
local culture. Mexican Xaverians today number more than Sunday catechism class in Mexico.
sixty.

BRAZIL, LAND OF MANY REALITIES

The Xaverians arrived in
BRAZIL in 1953, in response
to an appeal made by Pope
Pius XII.
At first, they settled in the
south, leading parishes
deprived of a pastor and
forming basic Christian com-
munities. Then in1961, they
took up their labors also in
the equatorial north along
some of the many rivers that
swell the might Amazon. For
many years, the diocese of
Abaetetuba was led by Bishop
Angelo Frosi, who had been
the first Xaverian ordained in
the USA, in 1948. Their min-
São Paulo, Brazil: Fr. Tony Lalli istry, however, did not remain
welcomes two homeless little sisters
confined to this diocese, but
to the St. Rose of Lima Parish Shelter.
extended to the Archdiocese
of Belém, the Diocese of Xingú, geographically the largest in the
world, and elsewhere.
North and south, they are engaged in the struggle for the rights
of the “caboclos” and the “indios”, farm land for the landless,
respect for human rights for all, and the acceptance of the Gospel
values in social, political and daily life.
This “land of the Holy Cross,” too, has exacted its share of the
blood of martyrs. We think of Fr. Pierobon in 1976 and of Fr.
Deiana in 1983, and their sacrificial blood has enriched that soil
for the growth of Christian communities and vocations to the
missionary life.
Our first task in approaching another people,
another culture, another religion
is to take off our shoes
for the place we are approaching is holy.
Else we may find ourselves
treading on another’s dream.
More serious still, we may forget...
that God was there before our arrival.
– Author unknown
A GROWING CHURCH
The celebration of the First Assembly of the Bishops’ Council
for Latina America in Medellin, COLOMBIA (1968), inaugurated
a period of prophetic church renewal, by engaging the religious in
the defense of human rights and in denouncing injustice in the
light of the Gospel.
The Xaverians joined this engagement in 1975 when they began
their missionary and pastoral activity in Buenaventura, and then
extended it to Bogotá and Cali.
They accompany the population, composed mostly of descen-
dants of African slaves, who suffer the most from the traditional
evils of urbanization, poverty, narcotics, and silence. Still, voca-
tion activity among the youth and mission education within the
church take much of the missionaries’ attention: the Colombian
church wishes to reach out beyond its frontiers to be able to give
“out of its own poverty.” U

8 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008

 AFRICA, CONTINENT OF CHRISTIAN HOPE

A GRACIOUS PEOPLE LAND WASHED IN BLOOD

O
ne of the places where St. Francis Xavier was presumed to In BURUNDI, the efforts of the early missionaries who first
have passed on his way to the Orient was SIERRA LEONE, began evangelization there in 1879 were blessed with much success
remembered for its slave trade associations and as the and numerous Christian communities.
“tomb of the white man.”
The Xaverians arrived in Burundi after urgent appeals of the
In 1950, four Xaverians pioneered work in this bishops who asked us to take up the
land, concentrating their attention on schools, as a pastoral care of a number of Christian
contribution to the education needs of the country communities which still had no pas-
and as a means of proclaiming the Gospel in the tors. Much of the work is done in
north of the country where the population is pre- team ministry with other missionar-
dominantly Muslim. Other commitments to human ies, sisters, and laity. Repeated tragic
development followed, new schools, health care proj- events and bloody divisions between
ects, campaign and care for the victims of leprosy, the ethnic groups have claimed three
and rehabilitation of child soldiers following the more Xaverian lives, among many
heartrending civil war of the 90’s. Their dedication others, when Frs. Maule and
and service won the missionaries the respect and the Marchiol, and lay volunteer, Kathrina
heart of this people known for their graciousness.
Xaverian George Biguzzi, s.x., today bishop of
Makeni, served for many years in formation and
administration in the USA Province.
Today, the young and dynamic
Church of Sierra Leone, with its many Young faces of Africa
Christian communities often led by lay
persons, looks with confidence to the day
when it will be able to provide for its own
pastoral future and to bring the Gospel to
other peoples.

A NATION OPEN TO THE

GOSPEL
Africa claimed the first Xaverian martyrs
during the civil strife of 1964 in the
Democratic Republic of the CONGO. Frs.
G. Didoné and L. Carrara, and Bro. V.
Faccin died out of fidelity to the Lord Jesus.
The Congo received the most systematic
evangelization in the African continent, beginning in 1482. The Gruber were killed on September 1995. The conflicts of the last
Xaverians arrived in 1958, when the nation was attaining its inde- two decades or so have called upon church personnel to work
pendence from Belgium. They landed in the region of Uvira, and strenuously for peace and reconciliation. Outstanding in this
directed their attention to prepare well-grounded Christians, with effort has been the opening of a Youth Center of Kamenge on the
particular attention to the younger generations. They extended outskirts of the capital, Bujumbura, where thousands of young
their work to Bukavu, Goma, Kasongo and Kinshasha, leaving people from different tribes and creeds gather to live and learn the
local church responsibilities to the local clergy in order to dedicate benefits of reconciliation.
their time more to works of collaboration and formation of com-
munity leaders. INITIAL PROCLAMATION
A number of sons and daughters of the Congo have now
reached various parts of the world, themselves missionaries to CHAD, situated in Central Africa, occupies a vast territory
people in greater need. In our own Province, several Xaverians most of which is covered by the Sahara Desert. The Xaverians
from the Congo are formators or students at the Theology House came to this part of Africa in 1985, in the diocese of Pala, but
in Chicago. forming one Regional community with confreres in bordering
(continued on page 10)

X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 9

Africa (continued from page 9)
Cameroon. Theirs is a work of initial
proclamation, with priority attention
given to the formation of catechists
and leaders for the new communities.
THE LAND OF ORAL
TRADITION
The Gospel was first brought to
CAMEROON in 1891 by the German
Pallottine Missionaries, and today
Catholics constitute 28% of the more
than ten-million population.
In the 80’s the Xaverians began to
work mostly in the north where the
Gospel message is still quite unknown,
with a work very much in tune with
that done in Chad. In the city of
Yaoundé a residence was established
where young Xaverian theology stu-
dents of different lands prepare for the
priesthood and missionary life in
Africa and elsewhere.
Sierra Leone: Bishop George Biguzzi,
of Makeni.
“PIONEERS” IN A NEW
PROJECT
Our last project in Africa was
begun only a few years ago in
MOZAMBIQUE.
Twelve Xaverian missionaries have
formed four communities. Though
colonized by the Portuguese, the
country is mostly Muslim, with the
challenges which this presents…. A
dozen Xaverians “pioneers” are intent
on sharing the Good News with all!
U
10 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008
“I have been
blessed in many
ways over the
years…”
Fr. Bob Maloney: 50 years a priest.
O
” ur God is a God of surprises,”
says Fr. Bob Maloney. “His invi-
overall accounting. Without the Lord, and
without all this, nothing could have hap-
tations are subtly discovered pened to reach this day. I am forever
along the way.” Fr. Bob is reflecting on his grateful…. Now, we look forward and
sixty years with the Xaverian missionaries humbly utter “yes” for what will be…
and on his fifty Re m e m b e r…
years as a priest. “In Celebrate…
1947, an ad in the Believe!”
Boston Pilot herald-
Rev. Thomas E.
ed “Be a trailblazer
Barnard, cousin to
for Christ,” and a
Fr. Bob, and Meth-
strong appeal; I was
odist Minister in
the first vocation to
Oklahoma City,
a society new to this
OK, writes: “When
our land.
I think of you,
China was its Bob, I think about
only field afar, its what it means to
members were about be ‘called’ into
250. The Founder, American Xaverians: (L to R) seated: Fr. Bob ministry – chosen
B l e s s e d G u i d o Maloney and Fr. Rocco Puopolo; standing: as it were. As you
Conforti, had dreams Fr. Tony Lalli, Fr. Carl Chudy and Fr. Adolph know, a calling to
open ended... I saw Menendez. minister to other
the opening of new people cannot be
mission fields in Asia, Africa, Oceania, inherited, won, earned, or bought. It is a
Latin America, and for many years I was matter of ‘choice’ – God’s choice….
called upon to serve in frontline aposto-
late, always needing to listen and view
God’s ‘calling’ is not for the short haul,
but for the long haul – for life. When God
things with the eyes of the smiling Crucifix
called you to ministry, he called you to a
of Xavier Castle. “Be a trailblazer for
lifetime ministry to others. You followed
Christ” – perhaps that vocation ad caught
that calling fifty years ago, and you con-
something of the essence of this lifetime of
tinue following it today.
years…
Your friends, family, and colleagues
Mission, however, is never the tale of a
gather to help you celebrate your fiftieth
solitary life; it is a work accomplished in
year in ministry, thanking God and con-
company, together. Family, friends, con-
gratulating you for having reached this
freres, upbringing, and encouragement,
significant milestone in your life…”. U
the people you serve… are all graces in the
 Ordinations and Mission Destinations

T he ordination to the priesthood of four of our Theology students

St. Therese Mission Church, Chicago. IL:
Bishop Frank Rodimer, of Patterson, NJ,
ordained to the diaconate four of our
seminarians.
brought to a close a phase of their mission journey. They had just
graduated from Chicago Theological Union (CTU).
Now they are all in the mission field assigned to them.
Dharmawan Adharius (Wawan), Denny Wahyudi, and Ignatius
Zaluchu were ordained in their native country of Indonesia on August 15,
2007, Feast of the Assumption of our Lady. With five other Xaverians and
three Diocesan young men, they received the Sacrament of the Priesthood
in the Church of St. Matthew in Pintaro, Jakarta, with the presence of the
Catholic community overflowing into the church plaza.
Fr. Denny had concluded his diaconate year and service at St. Therese
Mission in Chinatown, Chicago. At the farewell festivities at St. Therese’s,
Fr. Denny voiced the sentiments of his ‘classmates’ and looked forward to
his future ministry, saying: “Through the Xaverians, my religious family,
I have been living my vocation and call toward this missionary priest-
hood.
My future is in the hands of God who always nurtures and grants me
the best I could ever imagine. So, it’s my joy to give thanks to God and all
who have been influencing my life.”
Fr. Denny is now in Italy on the way to Japan where he will first spend
two years learning the language before entering full time into the ministry
of God’s people in that country.
Fr. Alejandro Gómez was ordained in Mexico on August 18 together
with five other Mexican Xaverians. He and Fr. Ignatius are already in the
Philippines for their first mission assignment.
Fr. Wawan, instead, has received his visa for Taiwan to join the small
Xaverian community there.
To each and every one of them we offer our Best Wishes for a fruitful
and persevering apostolate. We keep them in our prayers. U

We Celebrate… We Give Thanks!

F
or more than 60 years, the Xaverian
Missionaries in the USA have had
as “partners-in-mission” many a
friend and benefactor. By their prayers,
example and generous support they have
made it possible for us to do much ‘mis-
sionary’ work, both here in the States
and in the mission fields.
Whenever the Xaverian Missionaries
have been able to build a church, a semi-
nary, a school, hospital, orphanage or
medical station, it has been because of
the help given by these “partners-in mis-
sion”. They are the ones who make pos-
sible the training of native priests, broth-
ers, sisters, and lay ministers and cate-
chists. They are the ones who help us
meet the needs of our seminarians in
Chicago, IL, and in Franklin, WI, semi-
narians who come from all over our
mission countries.
As Fr. Dominic Caldognetto, treasurer
at Xavier Knoll, Franklin, WI, said at
a recent get-together of friends and
benefactors: “We thank everyone for
your constant commitment to the mis-
sion cause and for your giftedness to
the whole Xaverian Congregation. Now
part of our family, you have been and
are a blessing for your contribution to
our activties here and in the overseas
missions.”

X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 11

 The Challenge of the New Millennium:

US Catholic young adults and the interfaith movement

“America is one of the most religiously devout

nations in the west, One of the most religiously
diverse nations in the world, in an era of religious
conflict, where over three billion people are under
25 years of age...”

T
he Xaverian Missionaries, mitment of interreligious dia-
in service to youth and logue which is so central to the
young adult of the mission of the Church today.
American Catholic Church, are
What is the value of bringing
working to organize a program
Catholic young men and women
called No Borders: Global
together in dialogue with their
Mission Spirituality for youth
Muslim and Jewish peers, and
and young adults. It is our hope
with other faith traditions, and
that it will  assist them  meet the
to work together for social jus-
challenges of a new millennium
where US Catholic experienc- tice? It doesn’t take a genius to
es  are more inter-cultural and notice that we  live in troubled
inter-religious than ever before, times. Terrorism, violence, mili-
and where their choices carry tary interventions, economic
broad and global implications disparities, the erosion of human
affecting all aspects of their rights, hate crimes and growing
lives. In order to assist youth and misunderstanding are part and
young adults to be a vital part of parcel of today’s world. Yet in all
the universal mission of the of this,  dialogue and  concerted
Catholic Church in all sectors of efforts by Muslims, Jews,
society and to create a new cul- Christians and people of other
ture of dialogue, tolerance, plu- faiths offer a clear and resound-
ralism, understanding and peace, ing testimony to a common com-
this program provides opportunities for cross-cultural and inter- mitment and desire for  peace
faith experiences, faith formation with a worldwide view and peer and justice. So, what is the value of bringing Catholic young men
reflection. and women together in dialogue with people of other faith? The
value lays on the certainty that dialogue and working together in
service provides a window of opportunity to develop a better
This program is one way to link our purpose and charism as understanding of one another as individuals, as religious peoples,
religious missionaries with the experience of youth and young and as companions on the journey that leads to God. 
adults of the American Catholic Church. This link lies in three
areas: First, we seek relevant ways to share the compelling stories   The goal is to strengthen the mission ad gentes of the US
of our missionaries and missions, bringing to the forefront narra- Catholic Church through the faith power of the young. The late
tives of courage and faith. Second, we wish to awaken young Pope John Paul II in his mission encyclical, Mission of the
people to global solidarity in the structural connections of faith Redeemer, states: Mission ad gentes…”is addressed to groups and
between the USA and the world through such issues as human settings which are non-Christian because the preaching of the
rights, immigration, food security, global climate change, peace, Gospel and the presence of the Church are either absent or insuf-
and others, and to help young people respond with all the gifted- ficient. It can thus be characterized as the work of proclaiming
ness and enthusiasm they bring. Finally, we are shaping programs Christ and his Gospel, building up the local Church and promot-
that allow Catholic young people to enter into dialogue, under- ing the values of the kingdom.”(34) We hope to encourage and
standing, friendship, and service with youth of other faiths, in strengthen mission ad gentes vocations of the USA Church by
particular, Islam. In this way, we are promoting the solemn com- inviting young people to take part in that very mission right here

12 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008

 The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged

in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could
not travel both
And be one traveler,
long I stood
And looked down one
as far as I could
Fr. Carl at a Vocation Program of the St. Joseph High School, Trumbull, CT. To where it bent in the
undergrowth;
at home. We want to build a program that, amidst very
real theological differences and political problems, Then took the other
keeps alive the possibility that the world’s diverse reli- Oh, I kept the first
gious communities can choose to relate on their shared
values rather than on their myriad differences. for another day!
Some fear that if young Catholics interact meaning- Yet knowing how way
fully with young people of other faiths, their own faith
may become diluted and weakened. However, the expe-
leads on to way,
rience of the interfaith youth movement worldwide I doubted if I should ever
proves that our own religious identities are fortified.
The simple genius of the shared values approach is that come back.
it highlights things we share universally while creating Fr. Mosele shared about I shall be telling this
the space for each com- missionary life at a national
conference of Catholic with a sigh
munity to articulate its
college students in Texas.
unique riff on the value.
Somewhere ages
In a discussion on the
shared value of hospitality, Muslims might cite what and ages hence:
they do for Itftar and the Hadith of the Prophet, Jews
might talk about their Shabbat practice and scripture Two roads diverged
from Exodus, and Christians might discuss their in a wood,
church’s tradition on Christmas and the example of
Jesus in Matthew 25. Ultimately, by speaking from and I took the one
their own traditions, participants find their own less traveled by,
faith deepened, while discovering the values of the
Kingdom of God we share and can act on together. And that has made all
U
– Fr. Carl Chudy, s.x. the difference
For more information contact us and – Robert Frost –
receive our monthly e-newsletter:
No Borders: Passion for Christ, Passion
for Humanity nobordersenews@gmail.com

X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 13


The Motherhouse of the Xaverian Missionar-
ies in Parma (Italy)
14 X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008
“What’s in a Name?”
A name, we know, can be a simple
conventional way to call a thing or
a person. It doesn’t matter, really, that one
be called one way or another. We just need
to agree!
But a name can also be something
which defines the identity of a person, dif-
ferent from any other, unique and impos-
sible to duplicate. As the old Latin goes,
nomen est homem, the name is the man.
We Xaverians are named after Saint
Francis Xavier. Patron of the missions and
our model, whose footsteps we mean to fol-
low, Francis Xavier has left a mark on the
history of mission, the Church and society,
not just of his times, but also to our days.
Of course, times have changed radically.
Some of the reasons that urged Saint
Francis Xavier and certain ways of making
mission in his age, today are no longer fea-
sible. What has not changed is man’s need
to know the true God as only Jesus could
make God known to us. Also not changed
is the openness to receiving this God, when
this God, who is Father, is proclaimed.
Neither has changed the means for this
proclamation, and that is the witness of life
more than of words. The encounter with
Jesus has, in fact, deeply changed
the life of the one who announces him and
it has filled it with meaning. Saint Francis
Xavier himself had to go through a conver-
sion.
The Great Missionary Zeal Of Saint
Francis Xavier
We must remember also all that he has
“worked and suffered to spread the king-
dom of God.” We can say it with a word, a
bit out of fashion, but which seems to be
the principal characteristic of Saint Francis
Xavier: his great missionary zeal.
Even today we marvel at his untiring
activity, how in only eleven years he was
able to visit so many lands, with the trans-
portation means of those days and in the
midst of so many dangers, and how he was
able to start so many and flourishing com-
munities which have resisted the wear-and
tear of time….
Great has been the beneficial influence
which Saint Francis Xavier has had on the
lands where he has lived and worked.
Through the centuries, his example has
attracted so many to follow his example
and dedicated their life to the proclamation
of the Gospel among the peoples.
‘Xaverian’ Missionaries
We can understand now why our
Founder Bishop Conforti, wanted us to be
named after this man-of-God and mis-
sionary, Francis Xavier. He wanted to
tell us that, to be entirely dedicated to mis-
sion, we must be entirely dedicated to God
as Francis Xavier was. Pope John Paul II
told us the same thing in his Encyclical
Redemptoris Missio, when he wrote: ‘The
true missionary is a saint.’
It is for this reason that Blessed Conforti
wanted his missionaries be ‘consecrated’ in
religious life. Mission is a task which sur-
passes so much our mere human strengths
that it can only be God’s work. To be ‘con-
secrated’ means to be totally available to
God so that God be the one who acts in us
and through us...
Dear Xaverians and dear friends of the
Xaverians, Francis Xavier closed some of
his many letters with these words:
“May God grant you to grasp his holy will
and once grasped, to have the great strengths
and the graces to fulfill it in this life in love.”
I make these words
my own. U
Fr. Rino Benzoni, s.x.
Superior General of the
Xaverian Missionaries
 Life is an
Let’s begin with: opportunity;
take it.

“Where is your brother?” Life is beauty;

admire it.

G
od asks: “Where are you?” What am I to do? I must find out who and Life is beatitude;
taste it.
where my brother is, especially the non-Chris-
We think we do well by answering:
tian, the foreigner, the one who does not know Life is a dream;
“Here I am, ready to do your will; not
that God loves him. I must keep an eye on him, make it a reality.
by my own strengths nor for my own satisfac-
not lose sight of him. Or else, I’d be lost, too.
tion, but by your strength and for your plea-
And when I present myself before God, I must Life is a challenge;
sure.” And that God would be happy with
be able to give him the answer he expects: embrace it.
that.
“Father, here is my brother. He is here, in my
But, then, comes another question: “Where heart. I know who he is, I’ve found him. Now Life is a duty;
is your brother?” he is a bit lost, but he will come home soon, fulfill it.
you’ll see. I ask you about him, every day. Tell
We know Who asks that question. We know Life is a play;
me, please: what else can I do for him?”
what happened before and the dialogue that play it.
followed. What interests us now is this question. This is the first lesson;... my homework; or
It’s an important question. better, my so-that-I-may-go-home work. To lis- Life is precious;
ten with the heart to the question God asks me take care of it.
It comes from Someone than whom there’s
and give the answer he expects, and present him
no greater. And there’s no way to evade the Life is riches;
the brothers and sisters I have found out to be
answer, since He knows it already... keep them.
mine, entrusted to me that I may lead them to
But this question creates a problem for us. him. To talk with him about them every day in Life is love;
We thought we had some brothers and some prayer and ask him what more can I do for enjoy it.
sisters, and that’s it. And the others? God is not them.
to be easily appeased. God asks a question Life is mystery;
Clearly, to explain the question is not
which has almost no bounds. It forces us to go discover it.
more forceful that the question itself: “Where’s
look for the brother and the sister. Or else we
your brother?” U Life is a promise;
cannot give an answer and we cannot go before – Fr. F. Tosolini, s.x.
his presence. keep it.

See, the question is posted on the church Life is sadness;

door! overcome it.
If you don’t take your brother or your sister Life is a hymn;
with you, you do not enter. This is terrible! God sing it.
even gets angry with us! It seemed so simple to
go into church, to finally find myself in the Life is a fight;
peace and tranquility of friendship with the accept it.
Father..., and now I find that, if I’m not with my
brothers and sisters, he does not know me and Life is an adventure;
closes the door on my face. take the risk.

This question allows me to enter into God’s Life is happiness;

own heart, who relies on me to take care of his merit it.
sons and daughter, my brothers and sisters. It is
the question of a father who is worried: I sent Life is life; defend it.
you out to play together and you came back
alone? Where is your brother? May life be a future of
This question lets me enter into myself, and hope for you and your
loved ones.
discover that I am not whole without my broth-
er. If I return before God alone, I am no longer
Contact us at one of our addresses – Mother Teresa
I. He sees me only together with. My brother is of Calcutta –
or e-mail Fr. Joe at:
part of me and I am part of him.
pino.ma@gmail.com

X averian Missions Newsletter | 2008 15

 Xaverian Mission Newsletter
Official publication of the Xaverian Missionaries of the United States.

Our Addresses: 101 Summer Street

Editor in Chief: Anthony B. Lalli P. O. Box 5857
12 Helene Court Holliston, MA 01746-5857
tonyblalli@comcast.net
Wayne, NJ 07470-2813 Tel.: (508) 429-2144
Tel.: (973) 942-2975 E-mail: pino.ma@gmail.com
Associate Fax: (973) 942-5012
Editors: Frank Grappoli nobordersnews@gmail.com
E-mail: xavwayne@optonline.net ■
Alfredo Turco
■ 1347 East Hyde Park Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60615-2924
Graphic Design: Diamand Design 4500 Xavier Drive Tel.: (773) 643-5745
Wrentham, MA Franklin, WI 53132-9066 E-mail: xavformation@hotmail.com
Tel.: (414) 421-0831 ■
Printing: Allied Printing E-mail: xavmissionswi@hotmail.com St. Therese Catholic Chinese Mission
Marlboro, MA 218 West Alexander Street
■
Chicago, IL 60615-2924
Website: www.XavierMissionaries.org Tel.: (312) 842-6777
E-mail: regello99@yahoo.com

The Xaverian Missioners Are Presently Serving In:

Bangladesh • Brazil • Burundi • Cameroon • Chad • China • Colombia • Dem. Rep. of Congo • France • Indonesia • Italy
Japan • Mexico • Mozambique • Philippines • Sierra Leone • Spain • Taiwan • United Kingdom • U.S.A.

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