Parma,
Institute of St. Francis Xavier, 21 February 1916
In
omnibus Christus!
To
my dear missioners of the St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society
I
am happy to send you the new rule of our small foreign mission society. They are
the result of long study and experience. I wrote them in view of how they should
be when our Institute will have attained that full development to which all
commit ourselves for the glory of God and the coming of the kingdom on this
earth.
While
composing this rule I had three things in mind especially: to convey the sublime
nature of vocation and the apostolic life; to guarantee unity of spirit and
government to our society; to describe what is necessary for the formation and
preservation of that spirit. Hence I limited myself (exclusively) to whatever
could help attain this threefold goal. I omitted all those details which might
better be incorporated into the Constitutions of the Institute, and which could
be modified as need arose. The Rule, one the other hand, should have a sense of
perpetuity once they have the approval of the supreme ecclesiastical authority.
I
don’t know whether I succeeded in what I set out to do. The Rule is the
expression of all the enthusiasm of which I am capable, of all that desire for
good which brought me to give birth to an Institute. Independent of my limits
and unworthiness, this institute is destined, with the help of divine grace, to
accomplish great good for the church of God. It is for this reason that I ask
your observations and seek the wisdom of your experience before I submit this
work to the Holy See for approval.
I
send a copy of the Rule to each of you, so that individually may read it and
reflect upon it before the crucifix. Make whatever observations you deem
opportune for the good of the society. Remember, however, that our Institute has
its general purpose mission among the infidels. Therefore, mention cannot be
here made of the particular needs of any given region.
Your observations will be taken into due account by me, together with those who now so zealously assist me in the government of the Institute. I would suggest that before forwarding your suggestions that you meet together on this matter under the direction of Monsignor Vicar Apostolic. I have already written him about this my suggestion.
I
would ask you not to be too attentive to the style of work, necessary
corrections will be made before it is brought to the printer.
I
will be going to Rome sometime before August of the ad limina visit. On that
occasion I wish to submit the Sacred Congregation of Religious for a definitive
approval. It is necessary then that I have your observations within the first
half of July.
May
the Lord bless our common efforts and intentions. Through the divinely
efficacious redemptive power of the blood of His only begotten Son, may the Lord
permit this young bud sprouting for the shadow of the cross to become a gigantic
and strong tree.
I
embrace you in love of Jesus Christ. I wish you an abundance of heavenly graces
which make your apostolic work fruitful.
Yours in the Lord,
+ Guido M. Archbishop/Bishop
Director General
