EUROPE/ITALY - On the feast day of Blessed Conforti his spiritual sons and daughters all over the world renew their commitment to mission ad gentes

Friday, 5 November 2004

Parma (Fides Service) - All over the world on November 5, the spiritual sons and daughters of Blessed Guido M. Conforti remember with gratitude their great father and founder who died in Parma on November 5, 1931. Wherever they are, Xaverian Missionaries and Xaverian Missionaries of Mary and groups of Lay Xaverians renew their commitment to mission. The spirituality of Blessed Conforti is nourished by contemplation of the crucified Jesus, the Father’s missionary; obedience to the Gospel’s plan for the Kingdom of God achieved through a civilisation of love whose goal is “to make the world one family”; a longing to make Jesus the heart of the world, by bringing people the Gospel, the truth which gives freedom; bearing witness in obedience to the Spirit to the merciful love of God the Father, revealed in Christ.
Festivities are most lively at the Mother House in Parma where Blessed Conforti lived and trained his first missionaries and where he is buried. Father Marcello Storgato told Fides that this year 21 Xaverians from various parts of the world are taking part in a three month refresher course in formation. The group of consists of 18 men: 3 Italians, 1 from Congo, 4 from Spain, 10 from Mexico and 3 Xaverian sisters, 2 from Brazil and one Italian. These missionaries work in Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Sierra Leone, Mexico and Brazil.
Yesterday in preparation for the feast day the community attended a retreat led by Father Ferrari on the theme “Eucharist and Mission” in the light of an address which Conforti gave at an Italian National Eucharistic Congress in Palermo, in 1924, and Pope John Paul II’s latest Apostolic Letter written for the Year of the Eucharist “Stay with us Lord ”. Today the feast day began with morning prayer and the presentation of a Letter from the General Direction of the Institute outlining activity in the past three years and prospects and objectives in the next three years. The letter was presented by Vicar General Luigi Menegazzo who then presided a Concelebration of the Eucharist. On this day Xaverians renew their commitment to total dedication to mission ad gentes, in keeping with the charisma of their founder. In the afternoon there will be a cultural meeting the Biblioteca Palatina in Parma. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 5/11/2004; Righe 28; Parole 414)


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