Fr. Eugene Pulcini, SX
“Saint Francis Xavier is the model and patron of our Institute which bears his name” (C 2)
The feast of St. Francis Xavier falls at the beginning of Advent. I believe that this is an important coincidence: how much “missionary meaning” is there in Advent? What does a missionary hope for and desire? The essential motive of our vigilance and expectation is the mission of the disciples and the Church in history. The mission allows us to broaden our perception of reality and grasp the meaning of encounters and events from the perspective of the Kingdom of God that comes in Jesus Christ. This is the dynamism of one who positions himself within such a wide horizon that it becomes infinite, and he remains fascinated by a goal that is always greater than his own achievements, constantly nourishing in himself a hope that is Christian, because personal prestige and success are not the criteria by which he measures things. We celebrate the Feast of Francis Xavier with friends, benefactors, bishops, diocesan priests and other religious who accompany us in our missionary activities. We contemplate with them the horizon of the mission, with our eyes fixed on the future that has been made more limpid by the Hope that Advent teaches us, even when the future can cause more fear than desire.
Following the example of Francis Xavier does not ask us to hand out easy responses or immediate solutions to every problem. It asks us to be open and courageous persons, who are capable of seeing “beyond” and, at the same time, willing to “remain within” – as believers – the reality of life/history, just as it is and not for what we would like it to be. This is our trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present, even the arduous present (cf. Spe Salvi 1). We do not distance ourselves from life and its places. We remain within it with the sentiments and the mentality taught to us by Jesus Christ, without entrusting ourselves to abstract projects done at the drawing board, or by trying to activate or orient processes (as Pope Francis would say) in the cheating belief that “we” are the creators. Let us avoid “... falling prey to any excessive form of «eagerness» to do only great and difficult things, because this is not really «eagerness», but true temptation” (Francis Xavier, Letter 90, par. 35).
Today is an ideal day for living gratitude more intensely. Let us say so softly, humbly, but also with the pride of those who know they are in the truth: it is good to be aware of the greatness of our vocation and of our Xaverian Family. After more than 120 years, we are great because of the many examples of persevering and holy confreres, worthy journey companions of Francis Xavier; we are great because of the number of men and women throughout the world who have listened to us and welcomed us in our apostolate; we are great because of the courage that the mission has demanded of some of us, including even persecution and martyrdom; we are great because of the audacious projects. We are great because the proclamation of Christ is our certainty and Guido Maria Conforti and Francis Xavier are our roots, upon which we grew and from which we have drawn strength. They are strong, healthy and holy roots that do not have a shelf life! We too can have the faith, courage, tenacity, enthusiasm, generosity and joy that inspired Francis Xavier and Guido Conforti. We too, small branches, hope to possess something of their virtue, and be capable of sharing the same, open horizon, even when we feel more scattered than sent, in a world that does not always welcome or understand. It is said that uprooting is a cause of depression. Unless we recognize, cultivate and love our spiritual roots, we cannot grow and bear fruit; and we will no longer recognize our own typical way of serving the Gospel.
Francis Xavier died on 3 December 1552; he was just 46 years old.
Thanks to his missionary work in the great countries of the Asian continent – and not only – he is still an indelible reference point today. His 10 years of missionary work in the East were done with intelligence and absolute dedication ad maiorem Dei gloriam. “Indeed, to live this troubled life without enjoying God is not a life, but a constant death” (Francis Xavier, Letter 90, par. 26).
The dream of Francis Xavier seemed to disappear just when he had China in his sights, but others (the Xaverians among them), in his memory and following his example, shared that same dream: to open new paths for the Gospel in the immense Asian continent. On 3 December 1552 Matteo Ricci was just two months old.
A happy feast of St. Francis Xavier to all!
“Saint Francis Xavier is the model and patron of our Institute which bears his name” (C 2)
The feast of St. Francis Xavier falls at the beginning of Advent. I believe that this is an important coincidence: how much “missionary meaning” is there in Advent? What does a missionary hope for and desire? The essential motive of our vigilance and expectation is the mission of the disciples and the Church in history. The mission allows us to broaden our perception of reality and grasp the meaning of encounters and events from the perspective of the Kingdom of God that comes in Jesus Christ. This is the dynamism of one who positions himself within such a wide horizon that it becomes infinite, and he remains fascinated by a goal that is always greater than his own achievements, constantly nourishing in himself a hope that is Christian, because personal prestige and success are not the criteria by which he measures things. We celebrate the Feast of Francis Xavier with friends, benefactors, bishops, diocesan priests and other religious who accompany us in our missionary activities. We contemplate with them the horizon of the mission, with our eyes fixed on the future that has been made more limpid by the Hope that Advent teaches us, even when the future can cause more fear than desire.
Following the example of Francis Xavier does not ask us to hand out easy responses or immediate solutions to every problem. It asks us to be open and courageous persons, who are capable of seeing “beyond” and, at the same time, willing to “remain within” – as believers – the reality of life/history, just as it is and not for what we would like it to be. This is our trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present, even the arduous present (cf. Spe Salvi 1). We do not distance ourselves from life and its places. We remain within it with the sentiments and the mentality taught to us by Jesus Christ, without entrusting ourselves to abstract projects done at the drawing board, or by trying to activate or orient processes (as Pope Francis would say) in the cheating belief that “we” are the creators. Let us avoid “... falling prey to any excessive form of «eagerness» to do only great and difficult things, because this is not really «eagerness», but true temptation” (Francis Xavier, Letter 90, par. 35).
Today is an ideal day for living gratitude more intensely. Let us say so softly, humbly, but also with the pride of those who know they are in the truth: it is good to be aware of the greatness of our vocation and of our Xaverian Family. After more than 120 years, we are great because of the many examples of persevering and holy confreres, worthy journey companions of Francis Xavier; we are great because of the number of men and women throughout the world who have listened to us and welcomed us in our apostolate; we are great because of the courage that the mission has demanded of some of us, including even persecution and martyrdom; we are great because of the audacious projects. We are great because the proclamation of Christ is our certainty and Guido Maria Conforti and Francis Xavier are our roots, upon which we grew and from which we have drawn strength. They are strong, healthy and holy roots that do not have a shelf life! We too can have the faith, courage, tenacity, enthusiasm, generosity and joy that inspired Francis Xavier and Guido Conforti. We too, small branches, hope to possess something of their virtue, and be capable of sharing the same, open horizon, even when we feel more scattered than sent, in a world that does not always welcome or understand. It is said that uprooting is a cause of depression. Unless we recognize, cultivate and love our spiritual roots, we cannot grow and bear fruit; and we will no longer recognize our own typical way of serving the Gospel.
Francis Xavier died on 3 December 1552; he was just 46 years old.
Thanks to his missionary work in the great countries of the Asian continent – and not only – he is still an indelible reference point today. His 10 years of missionary work in the East were done with intelligence and absolute dedication ad maiorem Dei gloriam. “Indeed, to live this troubled life without enjoying God is not a life, but a constant death” (Francis Xavier, Letter 90, par. 26).
The dream of Francis Xavier seemed to disappear just when he had China in his sights, but others (the Xaverians among them), in his memory and following his example, shared that same dream: to open new paths for the Gospel in the immense Asian continent. On 3 December 1552 Matteo Ricci was just two months old.
A happy feast of St. Francis Xavier to all!