PARMA, Italy — As I’m waiting for my departure back to the Philippines, my heart is still echoing the invitation we shared just days ago at our Mother House: “Seek my face! Your face, Lord, I seek” (Psalm 27:8). I had the profound honor of representing the Xaverian Delegation of the Philippines at the International Convention, "Il Volto Umano del Saveriano" (The Human Traits of the Xaverian), held from June 17 to 28, 2026.
I returned home with a heart full of gratitude. Being part of this important event of our congregation was not merely a duty; it was a transformation. If I had to name the "best" part of this ten-day convention, it would undoubtedly be the fraternity and the vibrant internationality that filled every corner of the Casa Madre. To see 37 participants from 14 different countries and 4 continents gathered as one family was a living prophecy of the world our founder, St. Guido Maria Conforti, dreamed of.
Seeing the World Through Many Lenses
The convention followed the classic "See, Judge, Act" methodology. We began by "seeing"—listening to reports from every continent. As we heard the struggles and joys from the Americas to the existential peripheries of Europe, it became clear that our "human face" is now clearly intercultural and intergenerational.
In Asia, we discussed how our diversity is our wealth, yet we face challenges like digital isolation and the need to bridge the gap between our veterans and the younger generation. We were reminded by experts like psychotherapist Claudia Ciotti that our "affectivity" is not a luxury but the very fuel of our mission. Philosophy also played its part; through Levinas, we learned that the face of the "other" is an epiphany that demands our responsibility.
Judging Our Roots: Jesus and the Founder
The "Judging" phase took us deeper. Rosanna Virgili led us through a moving exploration of the human face of Jesus, particularly his relationships with women and the marginalized. We realized that "whoever follows Christ... also becomes more human".
A highlight for many of us was revisiting the humanity of St. Guido Maria Conforti. We looked beyond the "pious icon" to see a man who wrestled with illness and failure, yet possessed a "robust humanity" capable of seeing every person as a "prince" to be respected and a "brother" to be loved. We also drew inspiration from exemplary figures like Fathers Vittorio Vanzin, Bonardi, Francesco Marini, Corrado Stradiotto, Simone Vavassori, and Renato Trevisan—men who were "bridge-builders" rather than protagonists.
Acting: A Commitment to Intercultural Fraternity
The final days were dedicated to "Acting". Father Adriano Cunhalima challenged us to inhabit our conflicts and move from simple community plurality to a true intercultural missionary fraternity. We learned that our communities must be "laboratories of humanity" where we listen without haste.
We also looked at the faces of the Xaverian Sisters and the Laity, recognizing that we are one "Charismatic Family". A particularly sobering and vital moment was our commitment to Safeguarding. Father Faustino Turco introduced a "grammar of vulnerability," reminding us that acknowledging our own fragility is the best way to protect the minors and vulnerable persons entrusted to our care.
A New Roadmap for the Future
As we concluded with the deacon ordination of our dear Bro. Simon, we left Parma with a "Roadmap" for the coming years, committed to translating and sharing these insights into the local languages and cultures of our missions.
For me, the convention was a reminder that we are not "freelancers" of the Gospel. We are a family, though not perfect, always capable of reflecting the light of Christ in a way that is credible, humble, and profoundly human.
May our Lord Jesus Christ be known and loved by all!
