The Xaverian Missionary
In the Founderīs words
T he missionary is the finest and most splendid example of the ideal life. In spirit, the missionary has contemplated Jesus Christ commissioning the apostles to conquer the world, not by weapons but by persuasion and love; and the missionary has been captivated by this encounter with Christ. For this ideal cause, the missionary gives up family, homeland, all that he treasures as his very own.
(Departure Discourses)
I t is my wish that the distinguishing characteristic of present and future members of the Society be the resultant of certain co-efficients. The first is that spirit of living faith which enables us to see God, seek God, and love God in al and sharpens our eagerness to propagate his kingdom everywhere. Then there is the spirit of ready, selfless, constant obedience... Finally there is the spirit of intense love for our religious family, which is like a mother to us, and of complete respect for the members who constitute it.
(Testament Letter)
Our missionary work and religious life constitute our sole and undivided charism. By our mission vow, we Xaverians promise to actually leave from our familiar environment, and totally dedicate ourselves to the sharing of the Gospel. We live and carry out the mission of the Church in communities that, as families, are called to share faith, mission commitment, hopes, joys, concerns, spiritual and material goods.
The Xaverians preach and teach; they are channels of the gift of grace, to reconcile people with God. We are involved in social work, in community building, in health care, and in educational programs.
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti defined a missionary as a person of action in constant union with Christ. Prayer is the foremost important activity of the missionary because it strengthens his faithfulness and sustains his missionary commitment.