Xaverian Calendar March 2008

March 2008

1 -
See March Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"The more the world brings thorns to me, and the more I will find refuge in you, o God. I will accept all the crosses which Divine Providence sends my way... and still I will impose on myself corporal and spiritual mortifications, so that there is a more vivid sentiment of my soul longing for you, o God."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 183]
1893 - Blessed Conforti buys the house on Borgo Leon d'Oro, the first seminary house of the Xaverian Missionaries
1898 - Historic visit of Fr. Francis Fogolla, Franciscan Missionary from China, at the Xaverian Seminary in Parma. The reality of sending missionaries to China comes true.
1924 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the Greatness of the Priesthood.
1961 - Peace Corps established

2 -
Fourth Sunday of Lent
See March Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"Faith will enliven my spirit, my heart and my will. My spirit will live of faith if, through personal meditation, I will focus my thoughts on God, on Jesus Christ, and on the Christian mysteries, and if I use the Christian thought to judge peoples and events."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 183]
1998 - First Xaverians arrive in Mozambique

3 -
St. Katharine Drexel, foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
See March Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
"I am grateful to you, o Lord, for having touched my heart and shaken my will, while you enlightened my mind."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1923 - Blessed Conforti writes a letter on 'Faith' at the end of his pastoral visit in Parma

4 -
St. Casimir, brother and defender of the poor
See March Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
First Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"My heart will live in faith if, understood the greatness of God and the beauty of Jesus Christ, I will open it to love; if, through a tender and lively devotion, I will make a covenant of an intimate relationship with God who lives in me through Jesus Christ."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 183]
1899 - Solemn Mission Departure Ceremony for Fr. Caio Rastelli and Odoardo Mainini, departing for China
1961 - First Xaverians arrive in Abaetetuba, Northern Brazil

5 -
See March Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
Second Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"My will lives in faith if, not happy with religious emotions, I will resolve to live well for the honor of my God, using my moral energies given to me by God's grace."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 183]
1961 - Xaverians begin their pastoral and mission activities in Southern Brazil

6 -
Third Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"Conscience traces the moral way to follow, and personal will encourages to follow this path. It would be useless to know and love our duties, if we would not have the courage to fulfill them."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 184]
1909 - Blessed Conforti publishes 'Echo', the newsletter of the chancery of Parma
1922 - Blessed Conforti sends his sixth Letter to the Bishops of Italy on the 'Missionary Union of the Clergy'

7 -
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs
First Friday
Fourth Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"A good character is frank, amiable, willing to serve, forgetful of oneself, simple and open, with a clear look, sweetness on the lips, and delicate ways in acting; it attracts sympathy, it spreads gladness around oneself, it allows people to trust, it expands hearts, and no one experiences pain by its contact."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 185]
1896 - Blessed Conforti is named Vicar General of the Diocese of Parma
1898 - The Bishops of Emilia Romagna write a letter to the faithful on the purpose of the Xaverian congregation of Parma
1924 - Blessed Conforti presents to the Bishops of Italy the rules of the Diocesan Council on the Missionary Union of the Clergy and its parish committees

8 -
St. John of God, Patron of hospitals and the sick
Fifth Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"As I conclude my retreat, I thank you, my God, for the graces bestowed upon me, and for the labor you worked in my soul."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1895 - Rinaldo Conforti, the father of Blessed Conforti, dies
1908 - First observance of the International Women's Day
1925 - Blessed Conforti writes a letter to the Youth of the Parma diocese, inviting them to consider missionary life
1950 - The Xaverians of Japan begin their activities in Miyazaki

9 -
Fifth Sunday of Lent
St. Frances of Rome, wife, mother, religious foundress
USA - Daylight-saving time begins: Turn clocks one hour ahead
Sixth Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"I am grateful to you, o Lord, for having me kept away of the noise of the world during this retreat, and surrounded me with your silence."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1894 - Blessed Conforti writes the first letter to Card. Ledokowski of the Propagation of the Faith about his intention to found a Missionary Congregation
1897 - Blessed Conforti asks Propagation of Faith about the mission field of the Xaverians, preferably in China, Asia

10 -
Seventh Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
Ortodox Lent Begins
"I thank you, o God, for having freed me from my daily anxieties, and allowed me to find my own heart during this spiritual retreat."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1929 - Blessed Conforti presides at the Departure Ceremony and gives the Missionary Crucifix to Frs. E. Frattin and A. Galvan, headed for China
1987 - U.N. Human Rights Commission recognizes conscientious objection to military service as a human right.

11 -
Eighth Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
"I am grateful to you, o Lord, for revealing yourself in the solitude of my heart, and having open my eyes to the light of eternal truths."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1928 - Blessed Conforti presides at the Departure Ceremony and gives the Missionary Crucifix to Frs. I. Ambrico and G. Fusato, missionaries to China
1991 - Beginning of the presence of the Xaverians in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

12 -
Final Day of the Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
1622 - Proclamation of the Sainthood of Francis Xavier
"I thank you, o Lord, for helping me to understand that the only important work for my life is the well-being of my soul, and that, at the same time, my spiritual well-being depends from the faithful accomplishment of the many tasks that you have give me on this earth."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]

13 -
"I thank you, o God, for having taught me the severe lessons of my final goal, inspiring me to value an healthy fear of death and of the final judgment."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1927 - Blessed Conforti presides in the Cathedral of Parma at the Mission Sending Ceremony of departing China missionaries Frs. P. Garbero, J. Tonetto, A. Morazzoni, J. Morandi, R. Turci and I. Ambrico

14 -
"I thank you Lord at the end of this retreat, for having mapped in clearer ways the steps for my journey, which I need to walk on in order to reach greater perfection and render more useful my being."
[Blessed Conforti, FCT 20, 186]
1540 - St. Francis Xavier is sent to the Missions

15 -
St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of the Universal Church
"If we think of the great dignity bestowed by God on St. Joseph, and the present glory he receives today, I ask myself in wonder: if our wise and just God exalted St. Joseph to such a great task and glorified him over all saints, how much important and excellent would be his holiness?
[Blessed Conforti on March 18, 1921]

16 -
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Holy Week begins
"It is not enough to know the deep truths of our faith: we need to be changed by these truths, from the heart, so that our thoughts and works may be guided by this unquestionable rule."
[Blessed Conforti on Feb. 1, 1910]

17 -
Monday of Holy Week
St. Patrick, Bishop and Patron of Ireland
1996 - Pope John Paul II, at a Solemn Celebration in St. Peter's Basilica, proclaims the virtues of Blessed Guido M. Conforti and Blessed Daniel Comboni
"The Crucifix is the master book from which saints were made. The crucifix speaks to us with the eloquence that has no equal, with eloquence of sacred blood."
[Blessed Conforti on Jan.-Mar. 1925]

18 -
Tuesday of Holy Week
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and liturgist
"We ought to crucify our flesh with all its sins, in order to rise with Christ to a new life. We die to this world and everything that it provides, so as to be with Christ, buried in the tomb, to live a hidden life in God."
[Blessed Conforti, Jan.-March 1928]
1904 - Arrival in Nan Yang Fu, China of the second group of Xaverians
1941 - Beginning of the Diocesan Process of gathering information for the cause of Beatification of Guido M. Conforti

19 -
Wednesday of Holy Week
"Near the Cross, in the supreme hour of his agony, Jesus is surrounded by those who love him: his Virgin Mother, St. John, Mary Magdalene, the holy Women and the good Thief. The good thief, in the midst of so much desolation, sees the kingly dignity of the dying Jesus and asks Jesus to remember him when he will be in his Reign."
[Blessed Conforti on Oct. 31, 1926]

20 -
Holy Thursday
Easter Triduum begins
First Day of Spring
Jewish observance: Purim
"The Eucharist is the bread of life, the fountain of living water. In the Eucharist, we will renew our life in Christ and for Christ, who wishes to be intimately united with us till we'll live his same life."
[Blessed Conforti on May 10, 1924]
1922 - Blessed Conforti is named Vice-President of the International Congress of the Missionary Union of the Clergy held in Rome on June 1923
UN - International Earth Day

21 -
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
"The vocation we received could not have been greater or more exalted. It calls us to be close to Christ, the source and purpose of our faith, and to the apostles."
[Blessed Conforti on July 2, 1921 - LT #1]
1966 - First observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

22 -
Holy Saturday
"Christ is truly the resurrection and the life. He is triumphant for he has conquered minds and hearts, founding a Reign everlasting, a Reign of truth and justice, a reign of true freedom and universal brotherhood, destined to unite, with its bond of charity, all the peoples of the earth, so as to form one single family."
[Blessed Conforti on March 23, 1913 - Antol. 551]
1978 - Fr. James Spagnolo dies in Parma: together with Mother Celestine Bottego, co-founder of the Xaverian sisters

23 -
EASTER SUNDAY: The Resurrection of the Lord
St. Toribio de Mongrovejo, bishop of Lima, Peru
"The glorious resurrection of Christ must fill our minds of greater teachings, and move our hearts to holiness and to the generous dedication of our lives."
[Blessed Conforti on April 19, 1908]
1896 - Blessed Conforti is welcomed unanimously by the faculty of the Theology of Parma

24 -
Monday of Easter
"The resurrection of Christ is truly the cause, the model and the spring board of our future resurrection. What a beautiful and bright future attend us, after our life and death!"
[Blessed Conforti, Jan.-Mar. 1928]
Day of Prayer and Fasting for Mission Martyrs
1980 - Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero assassinated in El Salvador

25 -
Tuesday of Easter
"Let us rejoice in holiness... with a joy that expresses homage of our obedience and subjection to Him who is supreme ruler of peoples, the eternal King of ages."
[Blessed Conforti on April 4, 1920 - Antol. 549]
1537 - St. Francis Xavier arrives in Rome
1908 - Blessed Conforti solemnly welcomes his new Archdiocese of Parma
1926 - Blessed Conforti gives the Crucifix to departing China missionaries Frs. A. Chiarel, A. Emaldi, A. Munaretti and V. Capra

26 -
Wednesday of Easter
"It is always dear to our hearts to remember this glorious day, this most desired feast which speaks to us of resurrection and life."
[Blessed Conforti on April 8, 1917 - Antol. 543]
1971 - Bangladesh Feast of Independence

27 -
Thursday of Easter
"Christ is Risen: here is the greatest word, the summit of the highest of deeds, the summary of the most triumphant events, the strongest foundation of our faith."
[Blessed Conforti on Dec. 8, 1919 - Antol. 544]
1896 - Conforti is officially proclaimed doctor of the Theology College of Parma
1904 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter for the diocese of Ravenna on 'First Communion'

28 -
Friday of Easter
"The Father bestowed on the only begotten Son the name that is above every name, and every power shall bend to His authority, those in heaven and on earth and under the earth. To His the Father gives all nations as His inheritance."
[Blessed Conforti on April 4, 1920 - Antol. 549]
1960 - Official opening of the Canonical Process for the beatification of the Servant of God Guido M. Conforti

29 -
Saturday of Easter
"The greetings to a departing missionary and apostle who is sent to be resurrection and life to many who do not know Christ, are just these: May the Lord grant you the will to be resurrection and life to others."
[Blessed Conforti on March 31, 1907]
1900 - Blessed Conforti writes a letter to the Italian bishops to ask them to support the works of the mission association 'Faith and Civilization'
1913 - Blessed Conforti writes a Pastoral Letter on the 'Extraordinary Jubilee'

30 -
Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
"It's Easter... And even today we hear the resounding sound from the lips of million upon million of faithful, which fill the heavens with joy, from the East to the West."
[Blessed Conforti on March 27, 1921 - Antol. 552]
1865 - The Birth of Guido Conforti, at 6:00am, in Casalora of Ravadese. On the same day, he receives the Baptism in the Parish

31 -
The Annunciation of the Lord
"This triumph that begins with Easter, must perpetuate through the centuries, and must continue on in individuals and society at large."
[Blessed Conforti on March 31, 1919 - Antol. 558]

MARCH
Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31		Print It