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In memory of Fr. James Spagnolo sx

Giordana Bertacchini
528
09 April 2018

On Sunday, March 18, 2018, there was a Mass for the fortieth anniversary of the death of Fr. James Spagnolo sx -our Founder- in the Sanctuary of Saint Guido M. Conforti (Parma, Italy).

We share with you the message that Sr. Giordana Bertacchini, our Superior General, addressed to the assembly that day.

For us -the Xaverian Missionaries of Mary-, it is very significant to celebrate the Mass in this Sanctuary which safeguards the mortal remains of Saint Guido M. Conforti, the Founder of the Xaverian Missionary Fathers. Saint Guido is -in the words of Fr. Spagnolo- “the progenitor of Xaverianism, that means, the progenitor of a missionary movement with a fervent enthusiasm, flexible in the adaptations, dynamic in the action, essential in the structures, solid in unity, docile to obey the Pope. In it, the missionary coats himself with the essential religious forms to enhance and keep more efficient and permanent his own apostolic action.”

This Xaverian charism attracted Fr. James since he was a child. He identified himself with it until it became his own ideal of life. And it was this charism that Fr. Spagnolo passed to us, the Xaverian Missionaries, as the most precious gift of his heart as Founder, which he shared with Venerable Mother Celestina Bottego, our Foundress.

The features of the Xaverian spirituality that Fr. Spagnolo lived and passed to us are the living faith; the mystery of Christ as a center; the prompt, generous, constant obedience in everything despite the cost; intensive love for one’s own religious family. In addition we find his own spiritual features: the total availability to the Merciful Omnipotence of God and the Marian dimension.

Forty years ago, on March 22, 1978, a Wednesday of Holy Week, Fr. Spagnolo concluded his earthly existence. Today, we want to give thanks to the Lord in this Eucharistic celebration, for the gift that Fr. Spagnolo was for our Xaverian family and for the whole Church. We want to ask him to intercede for us, so may God grant us to always live by following Christ in proclaiming the Gospel in the way Fr Spagnolo lived it and spoke to us.