Xaverian Mission Martyrs, Introduction

Fr. Francis Marini, s.x.

On the Xaverian Martyrs

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Martyrs of Pastoral Charity - The Martyrs Cross, at the Motherhouse of the Xaverians, Parma, Italy

The strength of a missionary is found in the belief that the Gospel is an invitation to a fuller human life. By our acceptance of the Gospel, we highlight and expand our being, our possibilities, and our views, according to the plan of God, who invites us to be in communion with the Divine. Our vocation and our goal is to become fully human; we are not just statistics. To become human is our duty, not a natural process. And this goal is inevitably marked by our personal limitations and challenges.

In fact, missionaries experience in themselves this resistance to the Gospel, for they are called to the same fullness of life which surpasses them, and that requires personal sacrifices. Missionaries are not exempt from the temptation to go their own way, to act on their plans, to live life according to their pace, for we live only once, and therefore we better make good use of it. On the other side, missionaries risk of highlighting themselves through their service, through their ministry, through their gifts and generosity… To accept the invitation of the Gospel means, for all missionaries, opening their humanity to God, and to humbly open themselves to the full humanity of others. In this way, we can overcome our own idolatries, and reach out in solidarity. We constantly need conversion, missionaries included, and the journey involves our faith, our hope, and our way of loving.

The Gospel often challenges a world that is not human; our world does not know the Father, and therefore, we do not recognize ourselves as brothers and sisters. We go our own way, worrying about if our plate is full. If we have it, then we’ll defend it. If we don’t, then we’ll do everything to attain it!

"Vowed Life is a type of martyrdom. Whatever it lacks in intensity of suffering, is made up for by its lifelong duration."
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti, Test. Letter #2

The clash between the Gospel and our way of treating each other is indeed unavoidable, especially in those situations where violence is met with the non-violence and meekness of the Gospel.

In the past, there used to be high admiration for those people who dedicated their lives for a purpose. They were heroes of freedom, of justice, of science, of cultures… Even though they lacked many followers, at least they received praises from many. Today, unfortunately, they are often ignored and scorned. It really seems that the only astute and wise thing in this world is to enjoy life. Sadly, because of this idea, we find disparity and inhumanity in our days, for enjoying life means being blind to our and others’ humanity. This idea legitimizes any means against others to save ourselves, and we resort to abuse of power, insults, dishonesty, violence… If we take ourselves as the criterion and end of our being in this world, the strongest will thrive, while the weak is eliminated.

The Gospel opens our hearts to all human beings, and puts us on a journey of humble growth, something very arduous at times, indeed. Missionaries, as people of the Gospel, constantly deal with their inadequate personal beings, and with the challenges from outside. In the measure in which they overcome personal failures, missionaries become witnesses, martyrs. They are witnesses of a fuller human life and of the faith, their real source of strength.

"This faith first of all triumphed over you, who, for love of Christ, leave family, land, friends, the comforts of life, and whatever you hold most dear. Beyond all natural affection, it is your task to spread the Reign of God. For you, there remains only the sublime passion of the ministry, the passion to satisfy the desires of the dying Christ, who experiences an unbearable thirst for souls."
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti, in Departure Discourse in 1926

Blessed Guido Maria Conforti expressed very clearly this character of martyrdom in the mission consecration: “Vowed Life is a type of martyrdom. Whatever it lacks in intensity of suffering, is made up for by its lifelong duration.” (Testament Letter, #2). The Xaverian witnesses presented in this book are sure examples of their faithfulness to the call, which for them also meant the shedding of blood. We should not think that they willingly accepted this ending; it wasn’t always this way, and it wasn’t even necessary it would turn out this way. But what they taught us was their faithfulness, which does not seek and does not exclude the supreme sacrifice of their lives. From their dedication, an act of self-giving was born. Their commitment to living out the Gospel meant also dying for the Gospel.

The Xaverian martyrs are just a small chapter in the large book of Martyrs of the 20^th Century, but they highlighted these 100 years of our existence regularly, almost like a reminder for all of us that mission and martyrdom go hand in hand.

The 20^th century saw, at its beginnings, the Boxer persecution in China, that counts over 30,000 victims just in the year 1900. Fr. Rastelli, who represents the beginning of the Xaverian mission, was in the midst of those tragic days. But we also see the closing of the 20^th century with unresolved situations of wars and tragic events in Central Africa. There, in 1995, Fr. Maule, Fr. Marchiol and Catina Gubert shed their blood, together with the hundred of thousands of victims of Rwanda and Burundi. Throughout the 20^th century, as in our family, we saw the blood of martyrs. Two world wars, and other regional conflicts, have touched each of our continents. And we wouldn’t forget the many victims of political religions (such as Communism, Nazism, Fascism, etc…). We need to remember only the many martyrs who were non-Catholics, like the 130,000 orthodox who were killed in Russia in a 20 year span.

"Do not forget that you must sow in tears. For this reason Christ foretold of persecutions. Don't let this be a source of scandal for you. 'If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you too'."
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti, in Departure Discourse in 1928

We are thankful to the Lord for the many blessings we received in the 20^th century, especially in the area of progress and human growth. But it sadly also brought ideas and actions of disrespect towards humanity. It is this environment that badly needs the urgent message of the Gospel. And if these messengers of the Gospel are so frequently and easily eliminated, then it’s because we need to truly search our full humanity.

We introduce these martyrs as they were, avoiding to the best of our abilities the “rhetoric” of martyrdom. At times, it could create a false image of faith, as if it entailed the glory of the sacrifice. In truth, we exalt the goodness present in these martyrs. In this way, martyrdom becomes a sign of hope, for it shows that the forces of goodness are more powerful than the inflicting violence of evil.

These Xaverian martyrs were meek and resolute: they didn’t choose their end, but they chose the premises that made their ending unavoidable. They, in fact, lived because of the Gospel, and its Reign… They finally arrived there. Today, they are our companions, and encourage us on the same journey of missionary charity.