anila was chosen as the center for the students of theology in Asia. The archipelago of the Philippines comprises over 7,000 islands, and it is the only Asian country with a Christian majority. Geographically, the Philippines are opened to China, Malaysia and Japan.
It all started back in 1992. Our community took residence at Maligaya, in the Northern outskirts of this immense metropolis. It was Card. Sin who asked that the Xaverians would open a community and follow the foundation of St. Francis Xavier’s parish, in the midst of an area populated by “landless.” Because of the presence of many “abusive” housing, this area was completely abandoned by the government, and was pastorally challenging. The theology community then moved to Project 8, another populated area which was closer to the theology school.
Names and Plans
The rectors of the community of the past were Frs. Piergiorgio Venturini and
Giacomo Rigali. Today, we are three: Fr. Eugenio Pulcini, who follows the pastoral activities of the students;
Fr. Rocco Viviano who teaches at the school and follows the financial matters; and
Fr. Emmanuele Borelli who follows the vocation field.
One ever-present aspect of our community is our international make-up. We are now 15 people, from 8 nations: 3 from Bangladesh, 1 from Brazil, 3 from Cameroon, 2 from DR Congo, 2 from the Philippines, 2 from Indonesia, 1 from Italy and 1 from Spain. It is a snapshot of the Xaverian congregation at large, a beautiful festival of peoples who gather around the charism of the Xaverians and of Blessed Guido Conforti. We want to
“make the world one family” beginning from our diverse community.
Nourishment and Training
School and studies are the main focuses of a normal day for the students, coupled with personal and community prayer, which is the “gas” for a good functioning engine; without it, it would be impossible to travel! Without faith and prayer, we cannot grow, walk together, or last too long! Diving Providence was never lacking on this aspect for the good formation of our students. That’s why we thank all of you who sustain us daily in this effort: it is not ours only, but of the church at large.
On weekend, instead, we are involved in training in the ministry field, by conducting CCD classes with youth and adults, taking care of liturgical celebration and popular devotions, and working in human promotion activities.
We support those who are trying to start their lives, especially in the
"military neighborhood" where so many people live in over-crowded and
unhealthy conditions. Some of the students attend the association “Peace Builders” which comprises members of other religions, with a first-hand experience in interreligious dialogue.
It’s no joke!
There are advantages and challenges in living together in these kinds of international communities for 5-6 years. We need to go beyond the cultural romanticism, where everything is beautiful on a superficial and cultural aspect. We need to go beyond the daily hardships, the challenges of each culture, the setbacks for being misunderstood and not appreciated… All these aspects become a training test for mission service: it teaches us to accept and love the realities, peoples and cultures. We are preparing ourselves to make the “cultural leaps” necessary for missionary life. In this context we see and verify our level of growth, our motive forces, and our assimilation of Christian values.
Yet, beyond all this, one thing is certain: “We are more similar than different.” At the very end, the most strenuous demands are not the knowledge of the language or cultures, but the knowledge of ourselves, the journey of faithfulness to the Gospel and to our beautiful vocation. To live in an international community such as ours demands that we tread a formation journey: to leave in order to enter, to receive in order to give! Aren’t these the same values that support the mission? And so, we come to understand daily that to follow Jesus Christ and become his missionaries is not a joke!
(From "Missionari Saveriani" - Xaverian News)