Sharing Christ Across Faiths and Cultures
A Grace-Filled Easter Season
Ernest Gordon was a British Army officer captured at sea by the Japanese at the age of twenty-four. Gordon was sent to work on the Burma-Siam railway line that the Japanese were constructing though the dense Thai jungle in preparation for invading India. Ernest recalls this true story from a prison camp:
One day when the shovels were counted after work, the guard on duty went berserk. He said one shovel was missing. He said one shovel was missing. Screaming in broken English, he ordered the thief to step up. When no one did, he got his rifle and threatened to fire on the crowd.
At this point, an Australian came forward. He stood silently as the guard beat him. Finally, the guard struck him a thunderous blow with his rifle on the head.
The Australian dropped – clearly dead, but the guard kept beating him savagely.
Then the work crew carried the shovels and the dead Australian to the guard house.
There the shovels were counted again. No shovel was missing after all.
What are my thoughts as I imagine myself to be the Australian, before stepping forward?
“The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.” (John 15:13)
St. Paul reminds and assures us that “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)… Read more of Fr. Mark’s Easter Message.
Dear Friends,
Easter is the time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and ours because He wanted to form with Him only one body: the Church.
We proclaim in the Creed:
“He descended into hell” we intend to say that Christ “tried out” death, truly experiencing it.
It isn’t easy today to understand this article of faith. The truth of faith has been formulated to us in concepts from an imagery that is foreign to us. Hence, wouldn’t it be better to give it up?
I would say, “No,” because the Church, since the earliest times, has kept this confession firm. Instead, this sentence should be for us a stimulus to make an effort to understand, precisely when the question seems difficult and obscure.
In death, Jesus puts himself in solidarity with the dead, he goes as triumphant to the underworld, to call out all those whom death still has imprisoned.
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Eph. 5,15). Read more of Fr. Michael’s Easter Message.
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MISSION BLOG: Five Hundred Years of Catholic Evangelization in the Philippines
The Catholic Church in the Philippines has chosen Easter Sunday, 4 April, to formally inaugurate the year-long celebration of the 5th centenary (1521). Various programs and celebrations are being organized to celebrate the important event, with a single purpose, proclaimed by the Church. “Being grateful to God for the gift of faith that has been cultivated over the past five centuries from one generation to the next”. This concept, which is the center of the celebrations, will be lived, celebrated and announced at Easter and the Easter season…
Our Latest Print Newsletter
Check out the Latest Issue of the Newsletter of the Xaverian Missionaries USA
Dialogue Matters: Interview with Xaverian missionary, Fr. Rocco Viviano working in Japan.
Mission Outlook Podcast Series
by Brother Pietro Rossini, SX
Fr. Rocco Viviano is a Xaverian Missionary who currently works in Japan. He has a Master’s degree in Missiology and a Ph.D. in Interfaith Dialogue. In this episode I discuss with him the following questions: What is interfaith dialogue? How does it work? How to become people of dialogue? Is dialogue part of the Christian faith? Is the dialogue in opposition to the proclamation of the Gospel?
St. Guido Conforti, founder of the Xaverian Missionaries urges all Xaverian Missionaries in this chapter of the Testament Letter speaks of the seriousness of the spiritual journey as missionaries and practices, spiritual disciplines that assist along the way.
Celebrating 100 Years of our Testament Letter of the Founder
Speaking of the vows, Mons. Conforti begins with the vow of poverty: it is a vow to be loved, because it is the first renunciation that Christ demands from those who follow him closely. The vow of poverty allows Christ to reign alone over their hearts, accompanied by the grace of inner freedom. The missionary, for the love of Christ, is truly free from all attachments to the earth. He, or she, is totally for God and for the non-Christians brothers and sisters. Humility and simplicity of life, appreciation for the gifts of our brothers and sisters, respect for sacrifice and daily work make the fraternal spirit grow. Have a good vision!
Reacquaint Yourself with the Inspiration of Our Global Family Expressed in the Spirituality & Passion of St. Guido Conforti
- The Life of St. Conforti, Founder of the Xaverian Missionaries
- The Circular Letters Creating the Foundation for our Mission
- Celebrating the Legacy of the Founder
Bringing to Prayer the Global Experience of Coronavirus
With our global links, the Xaverian Missionaries invite you to share your prayers with the whole world. Everywhere the struggle with Covid-19 makes such demands on our lives, and has taken our beloved away from us as well. When we feel powerless in front of our vulnerability in the sea of microbiology we all swim in, we understand more deeply our dependence on the God of creation. Let’s bring all of our prayer together in our global family. Please share your prayers in our e-prayer page.
Pope Francis Videos
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Pope Francis and World Mission 2020
