Europe

urope was the destination of the first missionaries, Peter and Paul. It is also the cradle of the Xaverian Missionaries. Italy, Spain, Great Britain and France welcomed their mission residences. All of these houses are linked to Parma, Italy, where the Motherhouse of the Xaverian Congregation is located. In it, the historic sites of the Xaverian family are found… the Shrine of Blessed Guido Maria Conforti, his study, the Chapel of Martyrs, the Founder’s tomb, the Oriental Museum, and the Theology. Missionary students, novices, theology students, Xaverians seeking advance academic degrees find that all centers in Europe provide for their needs and formation to mission service.

The Xaverians were ever attracted to Spain, which gave birth to their holy Patron, St. Francis Xavier, and numerous Spaniards have written their names on the list of professed Xaverians. And because of the increasing number of English and French speaking missions, Great Britain and France became gateways by which Xaverians entered Africa and Asia.

Xaverian mission education centers work closely with local churches, and programs are fostered which strive to focus the local Christian communities on participating in the universal mission of the Church. These centers also offer hospitality, possibilities for updating, and welcome to missionaries who, after long years of mission service overseas, may have such need. In Rome, not far from the tomb of St. Peter, the Generalate of the Xaverian family is located.

Pope John Paul II wrote to the European Bishops (1993): “The mission of believers is always future directed. Let us recall the first missionaries to Europe… Not even they were sure of the human success of their mission, nor of their future destiny… More powerful than their insecurity was their faith and hope. More powerful still was the love of Christ, which thrust them onward!” “The Love of Christ Impels Us” is the motto of Blessed Conforti for the Xaverian family.