Xaverian Calendar July 2011

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Blessed Junipero Serra, missionary to California
First Friday
"God, who is infinite happiness in Himself, wanted to create beings that were similar to Himself, beings who could at least enjoy a sufficient measure of that happiness that it would conquer them for eternal ecstasy." [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918 - Antol. 542]
1898 - Conforti visits the International Mission Show in Turin and befriends returning Chinese missionary Fr. Fogolla
See July Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
Burundi - Feast of National Independence (1962)
1985 - Opening of the Xaverian Community in Jakarta, Indonesia

Immaculate Heart of Mary
"After Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith, Mary is the most radiant star that shines in the heavens of this great world, which she illuminates with her immaculate purity." [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918 - Antol. 429]
1921 - Saint Conforti writes the 5th Circular Letter to the Xaverians, also known as 'The Testament Letter'
1945 - Founding Day of the Missionaries of Mary, the Xaverian Sisters
See July Mission and Church Intentions of the Pope
1952 - Xaverians arrive in Bangladesh

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. Thomas, Apostle, Patron of India
"When we are happy, everything is alive, and everything comes to life; we could almost create new worlds, if this was possible; and so our human hearts become a pale image of the heart of God." [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918]
1900 - Saint Conforti receives news of the massacres of the boxer revolution at Tai-Yen-Fu with the Martyrdom of Bishops Grassi and Fogolla, local priests, Franciscan Sisters and numerous Christians

USA Independence Day
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, Queen, Patroness of Catholic charities
"Yes, my brothers, we have been created out of the ecstasy and happiness of God’s love." [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918 - Antol. 154]
1929 - Saint Conforti authorizes and encourages the making of the movie 'Fiamme [=Flames]' directed and run by Xaverians

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Doctor and Priest
"The world, the universe, is a great book, the faithful expression of God’s mind. [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918 - Antol. 154]
1961 - General MacArthur states in a speech before a Joint Session of the Congress of the Philippines: 'The great question is: Can global war now be outlawed from the world? If so, it would mark the greatest advance in civilization since the Sermon on the Mount.'

St. Maria Goretti, martyr at age 12, patroness of teenage girls
"Through the splendors of our Faith, God wanted to make manifest to us the secrets of his marvels accomplished by the omnipotence of his arm." [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918]

"We are blessed if we treasure the faith in the Apostolic Symbol, light of our minds and joy of our hearts." [Saint Conforti on Dec. 8, 1918]
1887 - At the end of his theological studies, and with his Priesthood Ordination postponed because of health reason, Guido Conforti is appointed Vice-rector and Professor of the diocesan Seminary in Parma

"The light generated by Christ that shines through the Church is the light of Faith. Jesus Christ is the Lord of hearts." [Saint Conforti on Jan. 14, 1919 - Antol. 351]
1950 - Arrival in Sierra Leone of the first Xaverians: Frs. A. Azzolini, S. Calza, C. Olivani, and A. Stefani

St. Augustine Zhao Rong and companions, Chinese martyrs of the 19th century. See Francis Fogolla, bishop
"The wisest economy of the divine providence becomes true, using weak things to confound the strong, using things which might appear despicable, which almost do not exists, to confuse those which seek greatness and seem to challenge the heavens." [Saint Conforti on Jan. 14, 1919]
1937 - Opening of the House in Capriglio, named 'The Providence:' it was a house of refuge for the Xaverian students during the wars, and a place of rest for returning missionaries
Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, Patroness of Colombia

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Faith and love must be shown through good deeds; and good deeds are accomplished by recognizing the Lordship of Christ." [Saint Conforti on Jan. 14, 1919]
1892 - Saint Conforti receives the title of Council Member of the 'Philosophical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas' of Parma
1950 - Beginning of the Xaverian presence in Macomer, in the island of Sardinia, Italy

St. Benedict, Abbot, Patriarch of Western Monasticism, Name's Day of Pope Benedict XVI
"As we look at Jesus Christ as man, we see God; by touching the man, we touch God; and by embracing the man, we embrace God." [Saint Conforti on June 8, 1919]

"Those who proclaim the elevation of the human dignity as an accomplishment of today's progress, they have forgot the history of the last 19 centuries: they forgot that we are debtors to Christ for the greatness of human dignity." [Saint Conforti on June 8, 1919]
1946 - The Vatican Sacred Congregation of Rites approves the Writings of the Servant of God, Guido M. Conforti: 29 volumes, 6,200 pages

St. Henry, emperor who assisted the poor and respected the Church's freedom
"My dear brothers and sons, everything in the life of the man-God is wonderful. He drew life from death, glory from humiliation and triumph from apparent defeat." [Saint Conforti on Aug. 15, 1919 - Antol. 171]
1919 - Saint Conforti takes part in the First Missionary Congress at Bergamo, Northern Italy
1964 - Beginning of the Xaverian presence in Pozuelo, Madrid, Spain

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, 'Lily of the Mohawks', first native American to be declared 'Blessed'
"One of the dangers of those who dedicate themselves to do good unto their neighbor is to forget themselves as they minister to others. For this reason it is important the habitual union with God." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]
1789 - Bastille Day - France

St Bonaventure, Bishop and Spiritual Writer
" The thought of the presence of God will foster in us sentiments of love and of fear." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
"In this union with God, we will experience moreover a lighter weight of the cross, and we will taste the joys of paradise which consists in our being united more closely with God." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]
Feast of Mozambique Culture
1994 - Fr. Augustine Young dies in Franklin, Wisconsin: missionary to Japan, spiritual advisor at Xavier Knoll

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
"We will ever strive to work for the glory of God, and our ministry will be fruitful." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]
1552 - St. Francis Xavier departs for China, his last trip

St. Camillus de Lellis Priest, Patron of Hospitals
"We will never say never, for we will hunger for justice and thirst for the souls." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]

"In all the moments and uncertainties in life, judge with your eyes of faith." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]
1917 - Saint Conforti publishes the first issue of 'Vita Nostra [Our Life]', an internal newsletter of the Xaverians. He also publishes the Foundational Rule of the Xaverian Congregation
1945 - Starting of the Xaverian Sisters as Teresa Danieli enters the Congregation

St. Apollinarus, bishop and martyr of First century
" God gives to everyone without becoming poor. In a similar way, the apostle ought to do." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]
1810 - Colombia Independence Day
1954 - Beginning of the Religious House in Curitiba, Brazil

St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Capuchin Preacher
"The soul of the apostle must first be flooded of light, in order to transmit that light to others." [Saint Conforti on April 21, 1921]
1955 - Beginning of the Xaverian House in Sao Paolo, Brazil

St. Mary Magdalene, Disciple of the Lord
"To those who trust in his Providence, the Lord gives in this life a hundred times of the things they left behind to follow him." [Saint Conforti on March 3, 1921]

St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious and Foundress
"It is proper of God to create everything from nothing; on the contrary, human beings can do so little with so many means!" [Saint Conforti on March 3, 1921]

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. Sharbel Makhlouf, Lebanese monk and hermit
"The vow of poverty is the first step towards perfection." [Saint Conforti on Feb. 24, 1921]
1951 - First group of Xaverians arrive in Indonesia. They are: Frs. Capra, Galezzi, Nardello, Lini, Pozzobon, Spinabelli, Boggiani, Cannizzaro
1954 - Opening of the house in Londrina, Southern Brazil

St James, Apostle, Patron of Pilgrims
Patronal Feast of Spain
"The vow of chastity is a promise to God with which one consecrates his entire body, spirit and heart to God." [Saint Conforti on March 10, 1921]

Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
"We must strive to jealously keep our heart for God, for it can easily betray." [Saint Conforti on March 10, 1921]

"The vow of obedience is the greatest of the vows, for our will is the most precious thing we have." [Saint Conforti on March 17, 1921]
1953 - The first group of Xaverians arrive in Brazil: Frs. Usai, Basso, Monchelato, Milani

"Obedience must be blind, affectionate, ready and perseverant." [Saint Conforti on March 17, 1921]
1945 - U.S. Senate approves the United Nations Charter by a vote of 98 to 2.

St. Martha, Model of Hospitality and faithful Disciple of Jesus
"The Constitutions are an indispensable need for a Religious Institute, and serve for the accomplishment of perfection for those who belong to it." [Saint Conforti on March 31, 1921]
1992 - Beginning of the Theology in Mexico City

St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop with a 'golden tongue'
"When the rules are observed by the members of a Religious Institute, everything prospers: the Institute as a whole, and the virtues of the members." [Saint Conforti on March 31, 1921]
1983 - Fr. Oddo Galeazzi, Fatima Shrine director, dies in Holliston, MA

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St Ignatius Loyola, Priest and Founder
"The rules and the Constitutions are for us like the wings of birds; they are truly a weight, but with them we can fly the high heavens. They are like wheels of a cart: they are a weight, but with them it is easier to bring the load and the fatigue of perfection. Rules are like wings which allow us to rise to God; they are like wheels which make the trip pleasant and reach the summit of Christian perfection and holiness." [Saint Conforti on March 31, 1921]
Day of African Women
1976 - Xaverian Fr. Albert Pierobon is found killed at Almirante Tamandare', Parana', Xaverian Martyr of Brazil