ovember
5 1931 was a cold day when the bells of the magnificent cathedral of Parma,
Italy, tolled the death of its beloved Bishop, Guido Maria Conforti.
The city’s otherwise fun loving people stood still, in shock. The gentle but firm voice of its good shepherd, who had stood
by the side of the poor and oppressed was now stilled. It had been heard many a time raised in condemning the
upheavals of his time. These were
issues which had riddled Italy and the city of Parma with violent conflicts
about religion, wealth, political intrigue and harassment, modernism and
anti-clericalism.
Conforti’s closest collaborator in the growth of the Xaverian Congregation had been Fr. John Bonardi, a Boston born son of Italian immigrants. The Founder had often thought of opening a foundation in America. At his death in 1931, it seemed that dream would remain just that: an unfulfilled dream.
The
actual US foundation was the result of a set of provident events.
In 1939 the China missions were adversely affected by the Sino-Japanese
War; the threat of a World War loomed on the horizon in 1941.
At the end of 1940, Fr. J. Henry Frassineti, who would be the US Founder,
and a companion missionary were recalled to Europe.
Their voyage was interrupted in New York.
The Superior General invited the two missionaries to “see and see”
whether diving Providence might open a way for them to establish a branch of the
Congregation in the United States. Bishop
Conforti’s spirituality had its foundation in a spirit of deep living
expressed as “to see, seek, love God in all.”
Fr. Frassineti was stranded in America because of the war.
Thus, began the long and tried journey of the new foundation on American
soil. The war hearted missionary,
Archbishop Cushing of Boston, welcomed Fr. J. Henry Frassineti and his later
companions into the archdiocese. The
official beginnings: an old abandoned farm in Holliston, Massachusetts.
The rest is history.
In 1997, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the US Foundation, after having celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Congregation in 1995. As a fitting crown to these two historical events, the Founder Guido M. Conforti was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II on March 17, 1996.
We have reasons to rejoice, celebrate and thank God. Even if the Xaverians are relatively few in the USA, we have made our humble but very significant contribution to the local Church through our Mission Education programs.
Wherever we are, in whatever we do, we strive to make all people aware of their Christian-missionary calling through our Mission Evening programs in our communities, in youth programs and in the liturgies and devotions at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, MA. Moreover, many missionaries received their basic training and degrees here in the States before going forth to announce the Gospel in far off lands.
We
are well aware, however, that none of this would have been possible were it not
for the constant, sympathetic and generous support of so many friends and
benefactors. Starting from the very
beginnings in Holliston: a group of close friends organizing house warming
parties to provide furnishings for the new missionary residence, furniture,
linens, pots and pans, silverware and china.
Then, fund raising projects through the years: banquets, auctions,
raffles, festivals, horse shows, fashion shows, etc… you name it… organized
by faithful ladies auxiliary and league groups everywhere!
And so together with a thankful heart we praise God, giver of all gifts.
Through it all, we reach out to others, sharing our faith and our
blessings “to the ends of the earth” in our effort to carry out Christ’s
command that there may be “one flock and one shepherd.”
Or, as Blessed Guido M. Conforti would urge his sons not to let anything
untried in order to “make of the whole world one single family.”
Thus, will we all missionaries be: “people sent!”
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)