Blessed Guido Maria Conforti

Funder of the Xaverian Missionaries
“ It looked at for me and I looked at It, and seemed to say many things! ”

Guido Maria Conforti Guido Conforti Maria is born in Ravadese, province of Parma (Italia) in day 03 of March of 1865. His mother, a very merciful and sensitive woman, educated him in love for God and an intense concern for others. His first studies were made with the help by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In the brief short route to school little Guido frequently stopped by a small church. There he prayed in front of the crucifix that stood over the altar: "It looked at for me - Conforti said later - and I looked at It, and seemed to say many things". At the foot of that one crucifix slowly grew the vocation missionary of Blessed Guido Maria Conforti. That same crucifix now stands in the Conforti Sanctuary in Parma, Italy.

Guido decides to enter in the seminary while still in school. He becomes distinguished in his studies and is considered an "idealist." In the high walls of the seminary at that time did not hinder him to dream of mission throughout the word. He was particularly inspired by the the biography of Saint Francis Xavier. He dreamed of continuing his mission all the way to China. It was during his college days that he decided to dedicate himself to mission to those in far away lands that did not know Christ. However, he had numerous health problems that even provided an obstacle to his ordination as priest. the A favor of Our Lady made it possible to be ordained a priest in 1888. Soon afterward, he is nominated vice-director of the seminary and priest of the cathedral. But the idea of the mission outside his own country is already burned in his heart as a small seed. More is to come.

In 1895, Conforti, who was only 30 years of age, decided to establish the Congregation of the Xaverian Missionaries for the evangelization of those who do not yet know Christ. The beginning of the Congregation was both simple and poor. With the inheritance he received after the death of his father, Conforti acquired facilities for 17 seminarians. He wished to dedicate himself to the ideal of a congregation for religious exclusively for mission but he was called by the Holy Father to the episcopate. This was a turn in the road of his life he did not expect. Yet, our way in life, no matter how crooked it may seem, eventually leads us to what God wants.

Blessed Guido Maria Conforti was nominated archbishop of Ravenna, Italy and, after some period of time, bishop of Parma, Italy. Conforti became "shepherd of two flocks": the diocese and the Xaverian congregation. He was an an exemplary and untiring guide of its church during the obscure times of world war one and two. He promoted the religious instruction of its people, opening catechetical schools of Christian doctrine and prepared courses of religious culture. Facing fatigue and bother with illness, he carried out four pastoral visits in all the parishes of the expansive diocese of Parma. He took care of, in special way, the formation of its clergy. He was a pastor of souls, both at home and abroad.

In 1906, the Holy See entrusted to the Xaverian Missionaries the Apostolic See of Honan, in China. At start of this date a small groups of Xaverians left for the East. With the passing of the years, the congregation consolidates itself through the opening of some houses for the formation of future missionaries in Italy. As bishop, he was consecrated "not only for a diocese, but for the salvation of the whole world." In 1928, the Founder travels to China to visit his sons in mission. At this time, his health takes a decided turn for the worse as he continues to pastor the beginnings of the missionary congregation.

Conforti is called to the house of the Father at only 66 years old, on the fifth of November 1931. The fame of his virtues is so great that the whole people of Parma cried at his death and honored him at his funeral with a participation never seen before. On the seventeenth of March 1996, the Pope John Paul proclaims him Blessed, together the Daniel Comboni, founder of the Comboni Missionaries. This is the last step prior to the proclamation of Guido Maria Conforti as Saint of the Church. To this day, Xaverian Missionaries worldwide celebrate the anniversary of his death on November 5 as a special time to renew the mission of the congregation.