Italy

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.…”
– St. Francis of Assisi –

W e, the Xaverian Missionaries, were founded in Parma, Italy, province of Emilia. The Motherhouse is located here, it is the first house and all others can trace their origins in Parma. The historic sites of the Xaverian family, those directly established by Bishop Conforti are located in Italy.

The most valuable keepsakes of the Congregation are associated with Parma. Whenever Xaverians wish to renew their commitment, they return here. The first missionaries who were sent to China were prepared and set out from Parma. In the Mother house there is a library, Chinese museum and ethnological collections, which remind us of our vocation to be a cultural center for an encounter among peoples. The first mission movies were created here, an in-house printing press provided publications for peoples to come to know our mission realities, and a Media Center continues the same mission of global education.

The opening of the houses of Vicenza, Poggio S. Marcello, Grumone, Vallo della Lucania in Italy was decided by the Founder. Other houses were opened later to meet various and growing needs: some were minor seminaries, a novitiate, a philosophy and classical courses near Milan, and the theology house was located in Parma.

In recent years the twenty Xaverian houses serve as centers of hospitality and mission education. Parma houses the headquarters for the Provincial administration and mission procure which serves as a vital link between the General administration and the various missions.

The future of the Xaverians in Italy counts on these houses, which also serve the local church to become more aware of its own specific missionary purpose.