Dear friends and benefactors of the
Xaverians,
riting to our missionaries on the occasion of Christmas, I briefly reflected on the
Grace of the Lord, which surrounds every moment of our life. Christmas surrounds us indeed with the Grace of God that has become visible, near, concrete, and lovable in Jesus Christ, son of the Father.
My greetings to the Xaverians started from here, a greeting that I also extend to each and everyone of you on behalf of the General Direction. May you be able to see each event of your life as a moment of Grace, the joys and sorrows that touch your families, the Christian communities, the Xaverian congregation and the entire Church.
It is only from this Grace that Hope is born, the hope that gives birth to ever new strength and which invites us to give the best of ourselves in the places we live, so that the good news of the love of God illumine this world so much taken by selfishness.
In this annual letter, we cannot forget this year’s situations of violence in the international relationships among nations. We are witnessing the insecurities of many of our brothers and sisters who are experiencing daily wars, violence, and injustices. What we experience today should bring us to hope with renewed commitment the peace which is born out of justice for all and from overcoming stereotypes among peoples, so often touched by deep inequalities and by the law of those who are strong in the world.
Together with many others, we Xaverians continue to believe that the Gospel is the most beautiful gift received from God, and that we can share with the whole of humanity the most radical solution for the dramatic problems facing humanity, an answer to the longings of the human heart. With our energies, we humbly continue to dedicate our life to the proclamation of this Gospel.
Thank God, 2003 was a rather peaceful year for our missions.
In D.R. Congo and Burundi, we witness the slow struggle of a hope for peace and reconciliation in the many conflicts that caused many millions of victims in these two countries. They are still fragile hopes, challenged daily by selfishness and thirst of power by various actors of this conflict, both at the national and international levels. We continue with our presence in those regions, witnessing with our humble works on behalf of the local people and Church.
Peace is taking root in Sierra Leone. Xaverians have begun to move freely in the many activities. Many mission centers have reopened, some have been repaired. But to heal the deep scars of broken hearts is much more of a challenge than to repair buildings.
The Xaverians present in Indonesia and Bangladesh experienced first hand the uneasiness of the start of the war in Iraq. But thanks to the clear stand of our Holy Father against this war, the Christian communities in our missions were spared by grave losses and setbacks.
Colombia continues to be a nation under the sign of violence, and many local priests became victims of it.
The Xaverians in Mozambique have celebrated five years of presence in this country. We could do much more for the mission centers are well structured, but the number of missionaries is limited.
It is only from this Grace that Hope is born, the hope that gives birth to ever new strength and which invites us to give the best of ourselves in the places we live, so that the good news of the love of God illumine this world so much taken by selfishness.
The Xaverians in Brazil have just celebrated 50 years of their presence: activities, work, and history! We thank God for all of this. It was indeed an occasion for the Xaverian congregation to remember the journey of the past, with its bright lights and its shadows, so as to continue with renewed commitment towards the future.
The missionaries in China had to deal with SARS, but the problem seems resolved. In the year 2004 we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the second opening of the mission of China; the first concluded too early with the death of Fr. Rastelli in 1901.
To the long list of those who have preceded us in heaven, this year we add Fr. Pius Devoti (missionary in Japan, age 63), Fr. Dominic Varani (teacher, missionary of those who suffer, age 80), Fr. Camillo Olivani (missionary in Sierra Leone, age 87), Br. Anthony Perin (missionary in Sierra Leone, age 77), Fr. Joseph Toscano (missionary in China, doctor, age 91), Fr. George Gagliani (missionary in Brazil and Cameroon, who died in a car accident in Brazil, age 68), Fr. Secondo Tomaselli (missionary in Congo, age 85), and Fr. Sandro Danieli (missionary in Japan, age 84).
In the past year, 20 young men have received the first profession in our Religious family (9 Indonesians, 4 Mexicans, 4 Congolese, 2 Italians, and 1 from Bangladesh). Others have made their Final Profession (1 Mexican, 1 Indonesian, and 1 Brazilian). The Lord has enriched our Congregation with 8 new priests (3 Brazilians, 3 Mexicans, 1 Italian and 1 Indonesian). In our Novitiates, there are 34 novices.
As we can see, the internationalization of our Congregation is continuing, and we have Xaverians from 12 different nations. Through this irreversible process, needed for today’s mission, the Lord guides the Xaverian family through unknown journeys. We thank the Lord for all this, as we continue to pray, “for the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)
As I conclude these thoughts, I want to thank you for the friendship afforded and your closeness to our family expressed in many ways. We count most of all on your prayers, as we assure you ours. May the Lord bring Peace to each of you and your families.
Merry Christmas
(From Xaverian News)