The Life of Saint Guido Maria Conforti

The Cardinal's Letter

 |   | 

St. Francis Xavier, Patron and Model of the Xaverian Community
Painting of St. Francis Xavier in the Martyrs' Chapel of the Motherhouse of the Xaverians in Parma, commissioned by Bishop Conforti. Francis offers the fruits of his ministry to the Virgin Mary

Guido Conforti was 30 years old when he was chosen to be the Vicar of Priests of the Diocese of Parma. It was a further link to his local church. And yet, these honors and responsibilities did not stop him from looking ahead. On March 9th, 1894, he wrote a letter to Cardinal Ledokowsky, prefect of the Propagation of Faith in Rome.

In his letter, Conforti shared, for the first time, his plans for the founding of the missionary congregation. He wrote: “The foremost mission of this community is to preach the Gospel among those who still do not know it… I wish to ask, as a preference, the lands of Asia for its immense territory with millions of peoples who have not yet heard the Gospel. Asia was the field of apostolic work of St. Francis Xavier, and I wish to dedicate the future congregation to this great missionary… I wish to put all of myself and my resources to this holy project… Aware of my unworthiness, I won’t back down from the difficulties ahead, trusting in the Sacred Heart of Jesus who suffered for the salvation of all people of the earth.”

Before the start of this adventure, Conforti wanted to receive the blessings of the Church, and the answer of the Cardinal was in favor and encouraging. On the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Dec. 3, 1895, Conforti opened the doors to the Seminary in Borgo Leon d’Oro, a humble apartment close to the Cathedral of Parma. On the walls of that small building which hosted the first 14 Xaverian students, was engraved this phrase as a life project: “Caritas Christi Urget Nos,” the Love of Christ urges us on. That same year, a young newly ordained priest joined the community, Fr. Caio Rastelli. He was the first Xaverian. Because of his extrovert and restless character, Fr. Caio represented the second soul of the missionary community, complementing the gentle and noble figure of the Founder.

The beginnings were very difficult, and for a while, the project seemed to be doomed. But they did not discouraged the Founder who believed firmly that only God could be its inspiration and support. On the wave of enthusiasm of Fr. Francis Fogolla, a Franciscan missionary visiting from China, Conforti entrusted to him his first missionary, Fr. Rastelli, who was serving as vice-rector of the Xaverian seminary. However, Fr. Caio Rastelli did not last long in China, for he died only two years later during the hard times he encountered in the Boxers persecution.

Another problem arose in the newly established Congregation: how to make ends meet! In order to find economic support for his foundation, Conforti thought about a national lottery, trusting on friendships in the political world, so as to obtain the necessary permits. But this project failed, and the young Founder learned his lesson. “The Lord wants us to understand that we need to trust in his loving Providence for his works of charity, over our human resources. The Lord’s Providence works even miracles, when necessary.”

"The Nest of Young Eagles": the Motherhouse of the Xaverians in Parma, Italy, with a statue of Saint Conforti at the entrance of the Shrine

In fact, the blessing of the first stone of the Motherhouse of the Xaverian Seminary took place soon after, on April 24, 1900, in Campo di Marte.

The bishop of Parma, Bishop Magani, spoke these prophetic words: “A day will come, soon after my burial, when from this blessed nest will take flight young eagles carrying the Gospel, who will spread the Faith among those who now rest in darkness and in the shadows of death. My dead bones will then exult with joy for the peaceful victories they will gain. And this diocese, this beloved Parma, will be proud to have them sent, and will support them with admiration and love.”

From the Motherhouse, hundred of missionaries journeyed to other lands and mission shores. First to China, till 1949. Then, they left for Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Burundi, Congo, Sierra Leone, Chad, Cameroon, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, USA, Great Britain, Mozambique, Thailand, and Spain, the birthplace of St. Francis Xavier.

Today, the Xaverian missionaries have become an international congregation, for even young churches count children of Conforti among them. It seems truly a miracle, if we think of those challenging times when the young congregation did not have neither the personnel nor the financial resources to survive its beginnings.

» More