Fr. James Spagnolo (1912-1978)
James Spagnolo was born on January 31, 1912 in Rotzo, a small village of the Asiago plateau in Vicenza, Italy. He was the firstborn of nine children of a modest family of farmers. Despite his difficult life situation due to World War I, his parents cultivated in their children love and confidence in the Lord.
When James was 11 years old he entered the seminary of the Xaverian Missionaries Fathers in Vicenza, where he attended High School until his admission to the Novitiate. James continued with his commitment and availability to the missionary formation making his first vows in 1928. In preparation for his priest ordination, he cultivated an intensive spiritual life. Even though his poor health conditions lead his superiors to postpone the date of his ordination, with humility and filial abandonment James persevered in his hope to receive this gift, which arrived through a sign from the maternal tenderness of the Virgin Mary.
On November 11, 1934, James was ordained as a priest. After some months, he went to Rome to study Missionology in the Pontifical Urbaniana University. In 1939, Fr. James brilliantly graduated and was called to teach in the Xaverian High School in Parma. At the same time, he was enrolled in the Civil Engineering Faculty, first in Parma and after in Bologna.
IT IS IN THIS PERIOD THAT SOME PROVIDENTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES PUT HIM ON THE FOUNDATION PATH OF THE FEMALE BRANCH OF THE XAVERIAN CONGREGATION.
Encouraged by of one of his superior, in 1942, Fr. James suggested to a lady to help in the foundation of the female branch of the Xaverian Missionaries Fathers. That young woman, after a first agreement, declined the invitation. Fr. James prayed and faithfully waited for the signs of the Lord. The next year, he thought in Ms. Bottego, who was invited to take care of the project, but she felt indisposed to get personally involved. In August 1943, Fr. James was assigned as a Rector of the Xaverian Mother House, wher he had to leave his Engineering studies.
In Easter 1944, being a Rector, he sent Ms. Celestine Bottego an Easter greeting card. It was the image of the Velasquez Crucifix, where he wrote “Tutto” (“All”); this word burned the resistances of that faithful woman.
In May 1944, Fr. James was on the Parmesan hills, in Capriglio. He and the theologian Xaverian students were evacuated from Parma because they had to escape the bombardments. Fr. James was appointed to direct the Annual Spiritual Retreat for the deacons that would be ordained priest on Pentecost day. Ms. Bottego was present who, in this intensive prayer atmosphere, expresses her “Yes” to give life to the Congregation of the Xaverian Missionaries Sisters on May 24th.
Fr. James was assigned to positions which required more responsibility in his Congregation. Meanwhile, with love and respect he remained close to the growing new Congregation. In 1951, the V General Chapter of the Xaverian Fathers officially recognized the young foundation as the female branch of the Xaverian Fathers. For Fr. Spagnolo, this recognition brought deep joy and authoritative confirmation that the path made was blessed by his Founder – Saint Guido M. Conforti-, who from heaven was accomplishing his own dream.
