Where We Work
Xaverian Missionaries serve in 21 nations around the world.
Eight hundred Xaverian missionaries currently serve in: Bangladesh, Burundi, Brazil, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Dem. Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Mozambique, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Spain, Thailand, Taiwan, the UK and the USA
Mission: Inspired by St. Guido Conforti and St. Francis Xavier, we, Xaverian Missionaries, serve to keep the local Church aware of, engaged with and connected to the missionary mandate of the universal Church, principally by witnessing Jesus to those who have yet to know Him.
Africa
Africa is the continent of Christian hope. Once China had closed its doors to missionaries, Xaverians felt the call to work in other lands still deprived of the heralds of the Gospel. The first African mission began in Sierra Leone in 1950. Later Xaverians entered the “green heart” of Africa by opening missions in former Zaire (1958), presently D.R. Congo, and Burundi (1960). Following the massive expulsion of Burundi, new missions were opened in Chad and Cameroon (1982). Our latest opening is Mozambique (1995).
Sierra Leone
Since 1950, the Xaverian Missionaries have worked in the north of Sierra Leone, where the population is predominantly Muslim. We concentrated our attention on schools, provided programs for the poor, health care projects, a campaign to care for victims of leprosy, and rehabilitation of child soldiers following the civil war.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Xaverian Missionaries directed their attention to creating prepared Christians. We multiplied the mission stations, built schools, prepared leaders, and provided for the birth of numerous Christian communities. Our first African martyrs, Fr. Didone, Fr. Carrara, and Br. Faccin, were killed during the civil conflict in 1964.
Burundi
In Burundi, the efforts of the early missionaries were blessed with success and the number of Christian communities increased. We sustain Christian communities, develop social works, and care for youth and families. Because of today’s tragic events and bloody divisions, we are called to work for peace and reconciliation. Our latest martyrs, Fr. Maule, Fr. Marchiol and lay volunteer Catina Gubert, were killed in Buyungero in September 1995.
Cameroon and Chad
In Cameroon, about 30 Xaverian Missionaries work for the formation of the laity and catechists, for the establishment of basic Christian communities, and for the training of Theology students.
The Christian message is 60 years old in Chad, and the Xaverian Missionaries promote the formation of leaders of communities, sharing the Gospel values, in this Muslim nation.
Mozambique
Our work in Mozambique is evangelization as we gradually take root in the diocese, getting to know the local language, culture, religion, etc. in view of offering our service according to our Charism. We are also creating new Christian communities, and forming church leaders and catechists so that they in turn may become witnesses, missionaries and founders of new Christian communities; organizing youth groups, the catechumenate, and human promotion.
Asia
Asia seems to offer a real challenge to the Church. Christianity has not yet today found a home in this immense area of the world where only 2% of the population is Christian. Asia has ever captured the attention of great missionaries, beginning with Thomas the Apostle, up until Francis Xavier.
Perhaps for this reason our Founder chose Asia as our first mission area, China, in 1899. China was the first – and for 50 years the only – Xaverian mission. From 1899 to 1954, 116 Xaverians were sent to China, among them Fr. Rastelli and Fr. Botton, who died as martyrs. Years later the Lord open the doors for the Xaverians to go to Japan (1949), Indonesia (1951), Bangladesh (1952), Taiwan (1990), the Philippines (1992), and Thailand (2011)
Japan
In Japan, about 40 Xaverian Missionaries work in 25 parishes, giving witness, proclaiming the Good News, providing education, dialogue and charity. In Shinmeizan we are partnering with a Buddhist monk in a center of prayer, meditation, dialogue and service. It is also headquarters for our project, The Center of Asian Studies.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the Xaverian Missionaries arrived in Sumatra, one of the larger islands, and then expanded to the Mentaway islands. We operate 9 parishes, 30 schools, three dispensaries, and two small hospitals. Today, on these islands there are flourishing and numerous Christian communities. Also, many new Xaverian Missionary vocations are developing in Indonesia today.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, over 100 Xaverian Missionaries have served here since 1952. They have witnessed the very slow progress and growth of the mission, with the formation of the local clergy, Christian villages, and numerous catechists. Bangladesh has also seen the martyrdom of two Xaverian Missionaries, Fr. Veronesi and Fr. Cobbe, who have worked on behalf of the outcasts of this nation.
Taiwan
Taiwan welcomes a small community of Xaverian Missionaries, as a foothold and presence in a future opening of China to Catholic Missions. We operate the St. Francis Xavier Parish in Taipei. We are also involved in interreligious dialogue
Philippines
In our latest mission effort in Asia, the Catholic community of the Philippines constitutes about 80% of the population. It is there that we provide training for Xaverian Missionaries in Theology studies as they prepare for a mission life somewhere in Asia. We have a pre-theology seminary program with students finishing college and philosophy studies, and we work in to two parishes that serve the poor and the landless.
Thailand
Our first missionaries to Thailand, Frs. Thierry Kamga, Giovanni Matteazzi, Thiago Rodrgues, and Alessandro Brai began with language and cultural studies for more than a year. We were given the care of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Parish in Tak where tribes are strewn throughout the mountainside. We also have a house in Bangkok where we assist with ministry in the diocese.
The Americas
Mindful of the struggled and blessed history of its own evangelization, the Americas strive to enkindle its missionary vocation. The Churches of the Americas declared their “renewed commitment to mission activity to the world.”
USA
The Xaverians established their presence in the U.S.A. in 1946. They have mission centers in Mexico since 1951, in Brazil since 1954, and in Colombia since 1975.
The US Province became an important crossroad for the Xaverian world. Since its earliest years it provided theology studies, language courses, funds for the missions, higher education, and other services to missionaries from every part of the Xaverian world. We are located in three mission centers in Holliston (MA), Franklin (WI), and Wayne (NJ).
Mexico
It was the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, who appeared to Bl. Juan Diego (1531), who opened the hearts of the people of Mexico to evangelization. The Xaverians established the first school in Mazatlan in 1951, a school that propagated the spirit and life of Saint Guido Maria Conforti. The first Mexican students joined the Xaverian family soon after. There are about 14 mission centers and parishes, where Xaverians in Mexico prepare missionaries for evangelization to non-Christians.
Brazil
In Brazil, the Xaverians arrived in 1953, in response to an appeal made by Pope Pius XII. We presently work in two areas: the South (Parana, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais) and the North (Para). The outskirts of the large cities of Brazil demand attention, through housing projects, the training of basic Christian communities, assisting the landless, homeless and street people. We are also engaged in the struggle for the rights of the “indios.” Even this country has seen the shedding of blood by Xaverian Martyrs, Fr. Pierobon in 1976 and Fr. Deiana in 1983.
Colombia
In Colombia, the Xaverians began their activity in Buenaventura, and expanded to Bogota, and Cali. We provide opportunities to people who are in the midst of poverty, narcotics, and violence, through a renewed call to the Gospel values, greater sensitivity to traditional cultural values, and the nurturing of Christian communities.
Europe
Europe 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 centres in Europe provide for their needs and formation to mission service.
The Xaverian Missionaries 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 centres 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.