he weekend of Nov. 5th turned out to be a special day for Xaverians around the world. The missionaries celebrated the 75th anniversary of the death of Blessed Guido M. Conforti, their founder, who was beatified in 1996 by Pope John Paul II.
For this occasion, seven young students professed Final Vows in the Xaverian congregation, as they take their final steps in the journey of ministry in the church and in the mission activities of the Xaverians the world over.
In the chapel of the Benedictine Monastery of Mont Febé, Yaoundé, Cameroon, José Pedro Olvera, Paulino Ramírez Cardoza and Rocky Gomes professed their Final Vows in a celebration that included Philosophy students and student candidates of the training program in Yaoundè, as well as Xaverians from the Southern Region of Cameroon.
In another part of the world, at Kubilete in Mexico, Heronymus Maryono, originally from Indonesia, made his Final Profession in the
Shrine of Christ the King, during the closing ceremony of the 5th Centenary of St. Francis Xavier’s birth and the 75th anniversary of the Founder’s death.
And finally, in the afternoon of Nov. 5, which marks the Anniversary of death of Blessed Conforti, three students of the theology in Chicago professed Final Vows in the community chapel, attended by 60 or so friends and Xaverian members of the Midwest. They are Adventus Ignatius Zaluchu and Yohannes Paulus Dharmawan (from Indonesia) and Alejandro Rodríguez Gómez (from Mexico).
I offer myself to you in order to do your will and to announce your Kingdom to all humankind by following the paths of your Son, Jesus… for You are my all in all.
The rite of Religious Profession includes a statement by the candidates of promise of consecration of oneself “by vow forever to the apostolic work proper to the St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society, and a Pledge by vow to live in Chastity, Poverty and Obedience as a brother among brothers, according to the norm of the Constitutions.”
The newly Perpetually professed members expressed their pledge in these words: “Renew our hearts that we may become as clay in your hands, so that we may be open to do your will. Following your Son, Jesus, I come to you aware of your call to be a carrier of your Good News, to heal the broken hearted, to strive for justice and peace, to share with everyone that love lives, and to love all those that You, Father, has given me as my Brothers.”
Another shared the following: “As a sign of your praise to your glory, I offer myself to you in order to do your will and to announce your Kingdom to all humankind by following the paths of your Son, Jesus… for You are my all in all.”
A third Religious Professed member read: “Grant me, Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, your assistance so that my whole life free from evil, may be a gift and sign of your love to all. Yours is the kingdom, yours the power, yours the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
The Xaverian congregation rejoices with these new “full” members of our Family, and sustains them in prayer as they approach the conclusion of their training program for future mission assignments.
(From Xaverian News)