ith the greetings of the Superior General and
all the Xaverian communities around the world, here is a panoramic view of the baptisms that
were celebrated in the mission communities. The Xaverians give praise to God who thus fulfils his Word: «I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed… I shall give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you …» (Ez 36:25-26).
BANGLADESH
“There are no baptisms scheduled this year in Bangladesh (at then end of the catechumenate)... In every parish the children of Christians will be baptized.” Yet,
Fr. Silvano Garello writes: “I spent Easter in the village of Dhakua, in the north of the diocese of Mymensingh. On Easter Sunday morning I celebrated 33 baptisms, 3 of whom were adults.”
PHILIPPINES
“There shall be 12 baptisms in our parish.
However baptisms are celebrated every Sunday. During the entire year there are about 1.000 baptisms”.
JAPAN
“There will be about 35-40 baptisms in the churches where the Xaverians are working.
As usual, the number is quite small. But we rejoice and thank God for the abundant fruits we are reaping in the other missions too.”
INDONESIA
“Here are the number of Easter baptisms we shall celebrated this year in our circumscription: Children: 187; Adults received into the Church from
other denominations: 97; Catechumens: 174.
Some parishes also celebrate the baptism of adults in June and at Christmas”.
TAIWAN
“This year our small parish of Taiwan shall baptize 6 adults. Please pray for them – and for us”.
COLOMBIA
“On Easter night we shall baptize 16 catechumens; it would be wonderful if they were at least 160, but this is the gift the Lord gives us this year in Buenaventura”.
SOUTHERN BRAZIL
The Xaverians of Guaianases write: “Happy Easter to all! We are writing to share with you our joy at the 18 adult baptisms we celebrated during the Easter Vigil.”
BURUNDI
“Bugwana: 200 baptisms, Gatumba 180, Gasura 250, Kamenge 400.
We thank the Lord for these abundant fruits”.
CAMEROON-CHAD
“Chad: Tagal-Djodo-Gasa 200; Bongor 125; Djarwai 30; Gounou Gaya 70; Domo 50; Koumou-Pont Caroll-Berem 100; North Cameroon: Gobo 150; Djougounta 70; Bastebe 50; South Cameroon: Douala 111; Yaounde 100; Bafoussam 165; Benakuma 150”.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
“We shall celebrate 1873 baptisms (684 adults, 479 children): Kavimvira 129; Luvungi 72; Kitutu 400 ca.; Ngene 15; Shabunda 310; Ndosho / Goma 190; Cahi 560; Mater Dei / Bukavu 194; Aumonerie I. S. P. 3.
MOZAMBIQUE
“570 baptisms: Dondo 170; Sena 100; Chemba 150; Nyamgoma 150”.
SIERRA LEONE
“Many baptisms shall take place in the parishes handed over to the diocesan clergy. In our 5 parishes there shall be 130 baptisms (adults and young people)”.
(From Xaverian News)