ear relatives and friends of the Xaverian missionaries,
first of all, I wish to thank the many among you who answer our annual letter with their own greetings and gratitude for this sign of unity with the Xaverian family. Many of you look forward to receiving this annual letter which, in its simplicity, brings you news of our family, to which ties of affection and life experience bind you.
This time too, our letter informs you of some noteworthy events that took place in the year 2004, which is now drawing to a close.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the people experienced both disappointment and hope during the difficult peace process. Although the process seems to continue, albeit with some difficulty, there are many who do not want peace and who continue their subversive actions from the shadows. In February, the Regional Superior of the Xaverians died suddenly. His funeral was a moment of intense communion with the people and a visible sign of how much good he had done for the Congolese people together with the other confreres. In
2004, our mission in the Congo marks the 40th anniversary of the deaths of Frs. Giovanni Didonè, Luigi Carrara and Br. Vittorio Faccin, who were killed in November 1964 during the Mulele rebellion.
In Burundi too, the peace process is moving ahead very slowly, caught between hope and outbursts of violence. Recently, a diocesan priest of Bururi, who was present at the Founder’s Beatification in Rome, was killed in an ambush. The people are awaiting the elections that should bring greater stability to the country.
The Xaverians are getting ready to welcome Burundian vocations to the missionary and Xaverian life. We ask you to support them with your prayer.
In Sierra Leone, peace has been established and the missionaries are now able to carry out their activities in full freedom. The moral wounds remain and this calls upon us to intensify our apostolic zeal.
Cameroon celebrated the first Final Profession of a young native Xaverian. He will be ordained priest before the end of the year and will then leave for Colombia. These are the first fruits of vocation ministry in this Xaverian Region in which six young Cameroonians also made their First Profession.
Bangladesh also celebrated the Final Profession of its first native Xaverian. Behind him there are others who are preparing to become Xaverian missionaries in the International Theology communities.
The Xaverians of Mexico took an active part in the International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara during the month of October. During this event two Mexican martyrs, whose remains were preserved for years in the chapel of our seminary in Arandas, were beatified.
The confreres also mourned the premature death of Setiawan, a young Indonesian Theology student who had been ill with leukemia. Setiawan died leaving us the splendid example of his faith and love for the Mission.
In Italy, the community of Vicenza celebrated the 50th anniversary of the death of
Fr. Uccelli, a saintly man whose beatification process is ongoing.
In 2004, the following confreres returned to the Father: Fr. Rinaldo Dal Pozzo (missionary in China, aged 93, Parma,
Jan. 8, 2004); Fr. Simone Vavassori (missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aged 68,
Bukavu, Feb. 10, 2004); Fr. Franco Teodori (missionary in China, aged 94, Parma,
Apr. 12, 2004); Fr. Giuseppe Mauri (missionary in the Congo and Mozambique, aged 52, in a road accident at Maputo,
Apr. 15, 2004); Fr. Giuseppe Milan (missionary in Sierra Leone, aged 85, Parma,
May 14, 2004); Fr. Serafino Calza (missionary in Sierra Leone, aged 88, Lunsar,
May 18, 2004); Fr. Lorenzo Fantini (missionary in Bangladesh and Mexico, aged 81, Zapopan,
May 20, 2004); Fr. Flavio Cossu (missionary in Brazil, aged 64, Londrina,
May 25, 2004); Yohanes Fransiskus Setiawan (Theology student from
Indonesia, presently in Mexico, aged 29, Zapopan, May 28, 2004); Br. Luciano Ghini (missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aged 61, Kavimvira,
June 25, 2004); Fr. Sperindio Orlandini (missionary in Indonesia, aged 89, Genova-Pegli,
July 15, 2004); Fr. Lorenzo Scaglia (missionary in Indonesia, aged 68, Padang,
Aug. 3, 2004); Fr. Fausto Barbini (missionary in Japan, aged 86, Parma,
Sept. 23, 2004); Fr. Mario Riccò (missionary in Japan and Brazil, author, aged 77, Parma,
Oct. 1, 2004); Bishop Danilo Catarzi (missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aged 86, Parma,
Nov. 23, 2004)
27 confreres made their First Profession; 9 made their Final Profession and 4 were ordained to the priesthood.
During the month of October, at the halfway stage of its mandate, the General Direction sent a letter to the confreres, entitled “The Lord couldn’t have been more generous with us”. In the letter, the General Direction praises the Lord for the life witness of many confreres who have gone before us, and invites all the
members of the Xaverian congregation to follow their example by striving for a greater harmony between missionary, religious and, for many, priestly life, all elements that make up our vocation, in order to live our call to holiness in our missionary activity.
Pope John Paul II proclaimed the year of the Eucharist. We believe that this can be our starting point for
re-launching our missionary vigor, greater attention to the poorest of the poor, and a renewed solidarity, because “in the Eucharist our God has shown love in the extreme, overturning all those criteria of power which too often govern human relations and radically affirming the criterion of service” (Apostolic Letter, Mane Nobiscum Domine, 28).
This love broke into our world with the birth of Jesus and we hope and pray that this same love takes hold of each and every one of you.
Let us remember each other to the Lord: may He make us always faithful to His will, each one in accordance with his/her own vocation. Let us also pray to Him for holy vocations to the mission.
Merry Christmas
(From Xaverian News)