"Christ is all and in all"

(Col. 3,11)

The Xaverian, a man of prayer

 [42]      Our Founder defined a missioner as a man of action in constant union with Christ, in whom he continually finds inspiration. We ask the Lord for that spirit of prayer which is able to transform our work into continual oration, and provide for our sanctification through the very exercise of our apostolic ministry.

Personal prayer

 [43]      Prayer is the principal activity of the missioner. It strengthens his faithfulness and sustains his apostolic commitment. The Lord often retired to a quiet place to pray to the Father.  His example invites us to reserve ample space for individual prayer, reflection, contemplation, even, if necessary, at the expense of charitable work and apostolic ministry. By following this example we avoid the risk of "running aimlessly" and guarantee greater authenticity to community prayer.

 Listening to the Word

 [44]      Mindful that the Word of God enkindles faith and convenes the church, we feel compelled to listen, meditate, and pray the scriptures daily. We do so alone and in community that we may be converted to God's way of doing and thinking, proclaim the word unequivocally, and discover, together with the people with whom we work, God's plans in the events of their history.

 Liturgy of the hours

 [45]      The Liturgy of the Hours is the voice of the church raised in public praise of God. We recite parts of this prayer in community, by choosing preferably lauds as morning prayer and vespers as evening prayer. The recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours is required of priests and deacons.

45.1            Leadership in prayer: Together with our people we form a praying community, we lead and animate the community prayer. We respect and value expressions of spirituality and authentic popular religiosity which we discover among people to whom we are sent. Together we try to find new forms of prayer which are respectful of their culture and innate feelings.

 The Eucharist

 [46]      Christ, who offers himself as victim in the Eucharist, is the foundation stone for our communities and apostolic ministry. Consequently our active and meaningful participation in the daily Eucharist demands that we identify with the life/death mystery of the altar by dedicating ourselves completely to the service of others. The Lord's eucharistic presence invites us to adoration and to intimate union with Him.

 46.1            Eucharistic celebration: Since the Eucharist is the center of our life and community, we try to celebrate it daily.  Con-celebration is to be preferred, as a valued sign and instrument of unity.

 46.2            Eucharistic adoration: We extend our eucharistic celebration by frequently spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  We gather as community once a week before the Eucharist, preferably on Thursday, to pray according to the intentions suggested by the Founder.

 Continual conversion, sacrament of reconciliation

 [47]      The awareness of our daily unfaithfulness to God's love demands an attitude of ongoing conversion. This desire for purification helps us accept the trials of each day and leads to sacramental forgiveness where God's mercy is experienced and reconciliation with God and others is discovered.

 47.1            Celebration of reconciliation: We make use of the sacrament of reconciliation often according to our personal need and mindful of church prescriptions. Whenever possible, e.g. on the occasion of community meetings and in formation houses this sacrament is celebrated in community.

 47.2            Moments of the spirit: The community life project is to establish a time for the annual retreat, and days of recollection. These are occasions for reflection, revision, spiritual renewal.

  The anointing of the sick

 [48]      We believe that illness and physical suffering, when accepted in the spirit of the Man of Sorrows, possess a convincing redemptive power, of no less value than that of apostolic work. We receive the comfort of the Lord, with gratitude and faith, in the sacrament of anointing in order to be united intimately with him, the Redeemer of all.

 48.1            Community celebration of the sacrament: The sacrament of anointing is to be celebrated in community if possible. It is a sign of love, a strong moment which highlights the concern we show our confreres who are ill.

 Devotion to the Virgin Mary

 [49] Mary, mother of the Lord and the church, has a singular role in the history of salvation.  We look to her as the attentive Virgin who harbors the Word of God within. She transmits it with courage and simplicity. She is ever mindful of others' needs. 

49.1            The Rosary: In Christian tradition one of the most popular and revered Marian devotions is the rosary. We recommend its frequent use.

 Devotion to Apostles, St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph

 [50]      Our vocation connects us in a special way with the apostles, and with our patron St Francis Xavier who labored and suffered to spread the kingdom. By tradition we foster devotion to St. Joseph, to whom "the beginnings of our redemption" were entrusted. He is a model of faith and selfless surrender to God's plans.

 50.1            Writings of Xavier and Conforti: An informed familiarity with the spirit and writings of St. Francis Xavier and the Founder assists us preserve a sense of belonging to the Society and gives direction to our mission vocation.

 50.2            Annual feasts: The feast of St. Francis Xavier (December 3rd), and the death anniversary of the Founder (November 5th) provide occasions for special gatherings and community celebrations for the Xaverian family.

 50.3            Family festivities: Significant moments of Xaverian family life are marked as community celebrations (e.g.. first profession, final vows, priesthood ordination). They remind us of our professed fidelity, and provide others with a vocation invitation. 

Remembrance of the deceased

 [51]      We regard death as the ultimate gesture of "laying down one's life" for the gospel. We look forward to this appointment with the Lord in prayer and watchfulness. We cherish the remembrance of our brothers, especially sacrificed for the kingdom of God even in martyrdom. By remembering their life example we value the ideals to which we dedicate our lives.

 51.1            Prayers for deceased confreres: The notification of the death of a confrere is transmitted by the General Direction to the various parts of the Society. The various communities will remember the deceased in prayer and eucharistic celebration.

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