EUROPE/ITALY - 15 General Chapter of Xaverian Missionaries in June will focus on Xaverian Spirituality

Tuesday, 13 March 2007

Rome (Fides Service) - The 15th General Chapter of the Xaverian Missionaries has been convoked in Italy for six weeks from mid June to the end of July at the Xaverian House in Tavernerio (Como), to reflect on the theme Xaverian Spirituality. The previous Chapter was held in the Summer of 2001 in Mexico. Convoking the important assembly Superior General Fr. Rino Benzoni said he was convinced that: “during a general chapter the Spirit of the Lord works with special power and if we listen to what He has to say and be ready as individuals and as a community to follow the paths He indicates for our family”. Since the Chapter is the main channel of co-responsibility and participation in the life of the Institute for all the members, Xaverians everywhere have begun to think about, discuss and put into writing their reflections on the various aspects of their missionary life. However above all they are praying for the light and the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are 47 Chapter members. Fr. Marcello Storgato informs us that the temporary agenda includes: examination of the Congregation’s situation, reflections on Xaverian Spirituality, confirm of certain interpretations and decisions of the General Direction in the past 6 year period, amendments to the General Regulations and Directors, presentation of the English and Spanish versions of the Constitutions, election of new general direction.
Founded by Blessed Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931) 3 December1898 as “The Congregation of Saint Francis Xavier for Foreign Missions”, today there are 848 Xaverian Missionaries in 146 communities (Pontifical Annual 2007). Born for China, their only land of mission for over fifty years 1898 to 1949, after being expelled by the Communist revolution they made almost the same journey as Saint Francis Xavier, but backwards, gradually settling in a number of countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and America. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2007; Righe 21; Parole 291)


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