Sharing Christ Across Cultures and Faiths

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International Conference of the Xaverian Missionaries on the “Humanity of the Xaverian Missionary Vocation” in an Often-Dehumanizing World

From June 17 to 28, 2026, Parma, birthplace of the Xaverian family, hosted the international convention “The Human Face of the Xaverian Missionary Vocation”. For twelve days, missionaries, sisters, lay people and friends from every continent gathered to reflect together on what makes the face of those sent on mission human – and therefore credible.

The group of participants itself told the story of the universality of the Xaverian family: thirty-nine people from four continents, with origins ranging from Indonesia to D.R. Congo, from Mexico to Bangladesh, from Brazil to Cameroon, and equally varied mission destinations. Alongside the religious, the meeting was attended by the Xaverian Missionary Sisters, the Xaverian Lay People, friends of the Xavierians and the entire General Direction, led by Superior General Fernando García Rodriguez.

The participating missionaries

These are the confreres who took part, with their country of origin and country of mission:

For reasons of prudence, neither the name nor the face of the Chinese confrere is published.

Xaverian Missionary Sisters

Bernadete I. Dos Santos (Brazil) and Francine Bisimwa Kikumi (D.R. Congo).

Xaverian Lay People and friends

The Xaverian Lay People were represented by Paolo Volta and Giovanna Vettori (Italy). Also taking part, as friends of the Xaverians, were Patrizia Menozzi (Italy) and Andrés Ceballos Ramirez (Colombia).

General Direction

The entire General Direction took part in the meeting: Superior General Fernando García Rodriguez (Spain), Vicar General Mauro Loda (Italy) and the councilors Fabien Kalehezo Chiribuka (D.R. Congo), Francisco Javier Sudarmanto (Indonesia) and Felipe Lopez (Mexico).

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Introducing the Filipino Community of Fatima Shrine: A New Chapter at an Historic Landmark

For over 70 years, the Missionary Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima has been a place of quiet reflection in Holliston. In 2025, a new energy arrived at the Shrine as our community gathered for its very first Mass in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz. Today, every Sunday at 1:00 PM, the chapel comes alive with bilingual prayers, traditional hymns, and a shared joy that brings the warmth of the Philippines to New England.

Our Journey: From Vision to Reality
Our ministry was born from a simple, aching desire—a longing for a spiritual home that echoed the sounds and devotion of the homeland. For years, our faithful gathered wherever we could, moving between temporary parishes and navigating the long, challenging silence of the pandemic, all while holding onto the hope of finding a permanent place to anchor our faith.

That leap of faith was answered generously in early 2025 by Father Joeven Matugas, who stepped forward to shepherd a flock that had not yet gathered. In those fragile early days, Melissa and Romel Tarin, along with Rose Henley, guided the initial steps, coordinating the community’s heart and logistics. Their devotion culminated in a beautiful, historic inaugural celebration for the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz at the Missionary Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

By October 4, 2025, regular weekly Sunday Masses were officially underway. Soon after, longtime ministry organizers Arlene and Joe Kutzko brought their own hearts and deep experience to the effort, breathing fresh energy into the movement. Through this collective Bayanihan spirit, the community established what has quickly become a beloved new tradition: our vibrant Third Sunday potlucks.

Today, what began as a shared dream has transformed the Shrine into a thriving regional hub where families from across Massachusetts and beyond can reconnect with their roots and celebrate their heritage. Check out the new website

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Introducing the Xaverian Missionaries USA

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Primer on Catholic Global Mission for Parishes and Families

• Prayers for Missionaries Abroad Matter
• Why do Catholics do Missionary Work?
• How to Discern a Missionary Vocation
• Missionary vocation stories that stay with you
• Catholic Interfaith Dialogue & Why it Matters
• Catholic Muslim Resources that Help
• The Spirituality of St. Guido Conforti, Founder of the Xaverian Missionaries
• How to Discern Religious Missionary Vocation
• Intercultural Ministry in the Church
• Who Was Saint Guido Maria Conforti?

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LISTENING TO THOSE WHO LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

In America, the landscape of the Catholic Church is changing dramatically, as is all religious communities and institutions. The new mission of the Xaverian Missionaries seeks to engage with our Catholic tradition to all outside of the church, Christianity, and even religion itself. The departure of those who were formed in the Catholic faith is felt in every parish. Disaffiliated families make up the majority of Catholic communities throughout the country.

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