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February 2008

1 -
First Friday
See February Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"I will sacrifice all of my self, all my belongings and whatever I will hold in my hands for the success of this holy project and so bring my small contribution to the great building of which Christ is the cornerstone."
[Blessed Conforti on Mar. 9, 1894 - Antol. 43]
1902 - Blessed Conforti writes to the Propagation of Faith in order to have a Xaverian mission presence in China
1904 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the Propagation of the Faith and Holy Childhood for the diocese of Ravenna
1914 - Conforti inaugurates the School for Catechesis in Parma

2 -
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
See February Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"If you find the proper opportunity, would Your Eminence [Card., Andrea Ferrari] express a favorable word towards our foundation, which is oriented for God's glory and the salvation of souls; it would be an incomparable blessings to me."
[Blessed Conforti on May 17, 1894 - Antol. 44]
1966 - Opening of the Provincial House in Padang, Indonesia

3 -
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
St. Blase, bishop and martyr and St. Ansgar bishop known as 'Apostle of the North'
See February Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"I will study with diligence the works of overseas missions, as reported in Catholic magazines in France, and everywhere I will search for guidance, direction and help."
[Blessed Conforti on Mar. 9, 1894 - Antol. 43]

4 -
See February Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"I will not turn back in front of misunderstandings, contradictions and difficulties, for I trust in the Sacred Heart who suffered for all the peoples of the earth, and the protection of the glorious Apostle of the East"
[Blessed Conforti mar. 9, 1894 - Antol. 43]
1904 - Death of the mother of Blessed Conforti, Mrs. Antonia Adorni
1913 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on 'God and Education'

5 -
St. Agatha, virgin and martyr
See February Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"I consecrated the most beautiful years of my life to the holy cause of the Missions, and I still continue to dedicate a good part of my poor energies even now with my cares and responsibilities as Bishop."
[Blessed Conforti on Sept. 16, 1918 - Antol. 44]
1915 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on Baptism, on the duties of Catholics in regards to the present war, on the Eucharist, on honoring the Holy Days
1963 - Opening of the House of San Juan del Rio, Mexico
Feast of National Unity in Burundi

6 -
ASH WEDNESDAY - Lent begins with this day of universal fast and abstinence
St. Paul Miki and 25 companions, Martyrs of Japan crucified on Feb. 5 1597 at Nagasaki
"Let us nurture in us a spirit of ready self-sacrifice, ever willing to bear in peace and joy the many sufferings, trials, painful journeys, persecutions, sicknesses, imprisonment and even death. We accept all these without discouragement or doubt."
[Blessed Conforti on Dec. 1, 1898]
1931 - Blessed Conforti receives the visit of Msgr. Celso Constantini, Apostolic Delegate in China
1948 - Opening of the House in Glasgow, Scotland

7 -
"The members of the congregation fulfill faithfully that which is prescribed by the church. The missionaries' afflictions, setbacks, struggles, pain, which are inseparable components of the apostolic life and its preparation, are all transformed in the spirit of penance."
[Foundation Rule #21]
1975 - Arrival of the first Xaverians in Colombia
Lunar Chinese New Year

8 -
St. Jerome Emiliani, priest and patron of orphans and abandoned children
St. Josephine Bakhita, Sudanese slave who became a Canossian sister
"The pains, anguishes and persecutions are the glorious training of the disciples called by God to accomplish a great mission."
[Blessed Conforti on Nov. 11, 1906]
1918 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the necessity of prayer

9 -
"Discipline should not sadden us: it is like the bank of a river which helps it flow, it is like the compass that guides the mariner on his way so that he can reach his final destination."
[Blessed Conforti on Feb. 9, 1903]
1885 - Blessed Conforti receives a response letter from the Salesians on his willingness to join the Salesians. Their response is to 'Pray to Don Bosco; he will guide your steps.'
1903 - Blessed Conforti as bishop of Ravenna, writes his first Pastoral Letter on education and religious instruction

10 -
First Sunday of Lent
St. Scholastica, virgin, twin sister of St. Benedict
"If we come to the Lord with contrite and humble hearts, he will never reject us. Indeed, the Lord will repeat to us the consoling words: 'It is mercy I prefer, not justice.'"
[Blessed Conforti on Nov. 25, 1908]
1912 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the Sacrament of Penance and on the devotion to the Sacred Heart
1931 - The sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith approves the norms of the Xaverian Missionaries
1990 - Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress, is released after 27 years of prison

11 -
Our Lady of Lourdes
Pope John Paul II proclaimed this day as World Day of the Sick
"No one is stronger than the one who has only one thought, to which all other thoughts come together. I am made for God, and everything in me, all that I do, should move toward God."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 171]
1909 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on Religious Instruction and on the role of the Pope
1982 - Pope John Paul II declares the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Guido M. Conforti
1974 - Burundi becomes a Xaverian mission province

12 -
USA - Lincoln's Birthday [1809]
1546 - St. Francis Xavier reaches Indonesia
"As a guiding principle of my life, I will try to see God, seek God in everything and in all, judging everything from this point of view. In this way, I will get use to the presence of God."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 188]

13 -
"Christian perfection consists in doing the will of God... in all the events of life, both sad or happy; I will attach myself to God's will in complete submission of mind and heart, without complaints or wavering."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]
1896 - Conforti accompanies Card. Ferrari to Rome for an audience with the Pope
1959 - Opening of the first house in Jaguapita', Brazil

14 -
St. Cyril, monk, and St. Methodius, bishop, brothers known as the 'Apostles to the Slavs'
Valentine's Day
"I will try to form in me an honest and right conscience, a firm and perseverant will, a social and dignified character, and a devout and compassionate heart."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 173]

15 -
"I will rigulously observe the fasts prescribed by the Church, especially during Lent; I will discipline myself daily through mortification."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 191]
1914 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the upcoming Parma Synod, on social activity of Catholics, on Marriage, and on Mary

16 -
Bl. Joseph Allamano, Founder of the Consolata Missionaries [1851-1926]
"It is preferable to have few flourishing plants which will produce fruit when cared for, than to have a vast garden with no fruit, which will be condemned to be barren."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 192]
1925 - Blessed Conforti names the first two General councilors to help him guide the Xaverian congregation: Fr. Bonardi and Fr. Popoli

17 -
Second Sunday of Lent
Seven Founders of the Order of Servites
"Dear Jesus, you are greatness without defect, stainless beauty, endless goodness. Show yourself, then, to your servant through your ineffable signs, so that I would know you, and knowing you I would love you, and loving you I would have Life."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 184]
1900 - Publication of the first Magazine of the Xaverians 'Fede e Civiltá' [Faith and Civilization]
1957 - Solemn celebration of the 25th death anniversary of Blessed Conforti at the Royal theater of Parma, with key-note address by Card. Angelo Roncalli, Patriarch of Venice, future Pope John XXIII

18 -
USA Presidents' Day Observance
"Before the celebration of the Eucharist, I will spend daily at least half hour in meditation, which nourishes Christian devotion, and come to concrete practical proposals for the day."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]

19 -
"Before lunch and before the evening rest, I will do an exam of conscience, keeping an eye on my main difficulties."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]
1891 - As Conforti writes to his mother about his plan of establishing a community of missionaries, he says: "... This project will bring me to a greater and nobler purpose, which I constantly treasure in my heart." [Letter of Feb. 19, 1891]

20 -
"I will approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation every week, even when it will be inconvenient, as if it was my last confession in life. And every day I will spend half hour in spiritual reading."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]
1910 - Blessed Conforti establishes a cultural circle in Parma among the clergy, and becomes president of the association.
1920 - As president of the Missionary Union of the Clergy, Blessed Conforti appeals to the priests of Italy to join the union.

21 -
St. Peter Damian, promoter of religious life
"I will celebrate the Feasts of our Lady with a renewed fervor; I will recite the Rosary daily; I will make a sacrificial offering in her honor each Saturday, in order to receive her protection; I will nurture in myself and in others the devotion of the Virgin Mary"
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]
1916 - Blessed Conforti writes the Fourth Circular Letter to the Xaverian Missionaries
1948 - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament begins

22 -
The Chair of Peter, Apostle
USA - Washington's Birthday [1732]
"Besides the principal intention of the Mass, I will celebrate the daily Eucharist with the intent to ask the Lord some special grace through the merits of Jesus, Immaculate Victim. I will do the same during the recitation of the Divine Office."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]

23 -
St. Polycarp, martyr of the early church
"As I try to accomplish all my devotions, I will adhere to a fixed schedule."
[Blessed Conforti on Dec. 11, 1917 - FCT 20, 172]
1895 - Blessed Conforti is named Vicar of Clergy of the Diocese of Parma, Italy, 7 years after his Priesthood Ordination

24 -
Third Sunday of Lent
"To you, o Lord, I owe my intense desire to better myself, and this ardent ambition, within me, to gain souls."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1927 - Blessed Conforti ordains 10 Xaverian Priests in the Cathedral of Parma, Italy
1962 - Beginning of the Diocese of Makeni, Sierra Leone

25 -
"Before I begin the main activities of the day, I will say in my mind and heart: All this is for You, Lord, for your glory, and in reparation of my sins."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 172]
1916 - Blessed Conforti meets with Fr. Paul Manna as they plan the founding of the 'Missionary Union of the Clergy'
1968 - Xaverian Angelo Frosi is named Prelate of Abaete do Tocantins, Brazil

26 -
"Prayer allows God into our souls: through meditation, prayer brings on our eyes the ointment which eliminates illusions, and reveals the gravity of our dangerous wanderings."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 182]

27 -
"Our prayers and supplications reactivates in our hearts the flame which purifies the intentions and enriches our will with divine strength."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 182]
1911 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist

28 -
1901 - Death of Fr. Caio Rastelli in Tai-Yen-Fu, China
"The premature loss of such a strenuous herald of the Gospel has caused us great pain and we are in deep mourning. We remember our beloved brother Fr. Caio and comfort each other with the memory of his virtuous life, confident in the knowledge that he intercedes in heaven for this humble missionary family to which he gave his name, and for which he generously gave up his family, his country and his life. And may he continue to intercede from heaven for the peace and prosperity of our China missions, washed so deeply by the blood of over three thousand martyrs."
[Blessed Conforti on the solemn funeral of Fr. Rastelli, in Parma on May 9, 1901]
1929 - Blessed Conforti meets in private audience with Pope Pius XI

29 -
"A rule of life is necessary in my life, from every aspect; this will not only guarantee time for my devotions, but most of all it gives an order to my occupations, and sustains me in my daily duties."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 182]