St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
June 9 is the commemoration of St. Augustine Zhao Rhong and companions. Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in...
July 4th is Philippine-American Friendship Day
The Philippine and American Flag Not too many Americans know, but July 4th, beside a celebration of American independence and a celebration of freedom, is also Philippine-American Friendship Day. Philippine Republic Day, July 4, (also known as Filipino-American Friendship Day) is a day in the Philippines designated to commemorate the...
Anniversary of My Missionary Priesthood
Fr. Carl Chudy saying mass in the late 90’s with the poor in the Philippines In the beginning of my missionary life in 1981 in Sierra Leone, West Africa June 28 I celebrate 26 years of my missionary priesthood. From work in West Africa, youth in Chicago and 13...
Overcoming Religious Intolerance
The Xaverian Missionaries find one of their most important purposes in the global mission of the church is in the challenging task of interfaith dialogue. There are many wonderful things in this regard going on all over the world. Here is something fairly close to home, shared in the...
A Xaverian Missionary Passes Away
On the 12th of June, Father Sergio Favarin passed away after a long and difficult illness. He was ordained to the missionary priesthood in 1973. He was 66 years old. After his ordination, from 1974-79, he was involved in youth work and global mission awareness with young people, as...
Little Heaven
The Human Rights Watch is putting on their yearly Film Festival in cities all over the country. There is a bevy of excellent films on the menu. One particular film we wish to highlight is a delightful and profound film called Little Heaven. In this film Lydia is at a...
A church in Makeni dedicated to the new Saint, Guido Maria Conforti
The new church in Sierra Leone, St. Guido Conforti Parish The Italian-born founder of the Xaverian Missionaries was canonized on the Oct. 23 in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI. The St. Guido Conforti Parish is located in the City of Makeni, in northern Sierra Leone. The Diocese, was founded...
For Greater Glory
Even as modern-day church-state relations improve, the impact of Mexico’s three-year Cristero Rebellion in the 1920s on the Catholic Church remains widely debated in Mexican society. The Xaverian Missionaries began work in Mexico in 1951 and are present where much of the struggle to overcome the anti-religious culture was played out. The...
A Missionary for most of the 20th Century Dies
Father Angelo Calvi died today from heart failure. He was 92 years old. He joined the Xaverian Missionaries in Vicenza, Italy in 1935, made his vows in 1939, and was ordained a priest in 1947. He worked in the Italian Church from 1947 to 1954 and eventually was sent...
Africa Night with the Xaverian Missionaries
Africa Night at Fatima Shrine, a set on Flickr. On Saturday, April 28, 2012 AFJN Executive Director Dominican Father Aniedi Okure and Policy Analyst Bahati Jacques conducted an information session at the Xaverian Missionaries community in Holliston Massachusetts. The session was organized by AFJN Board member and Xaverian Father...