The charism of an institute is very important as a foundation and purpose of the institute itself. The charism is inspired by the Holy Spirit which has been given to the founder of the society and becomes the identity of the institute itself in following the Lord. In every institute, the charism is given in order to be lived as a witness of Christ.
Regarding charisms, the Church gives some guidelines to recognize and define its nature. Lumen Gentium (45) by emphasizing the charism “uses its supervisory and protective authority to ensure that religious institutes established all over the world for building up the Body of Christ may develop and flourish in accordance with the spirit of their founder." Moreover, the Code of Canon Law (578) points out that “the whole patrimony of an institute must be faithfully preserved by all. This patrimony is comprised of the intentions of the founders, of all that the competent ecclesiastical authority has approved concerning the nature, purpose, spirit, and character of the institute, and of its sound traditions.”
We, as Xaverians, also have been entrusted with the charism through our founder, St. Guido Maria Conforti. Our Constitutions, in presenting the origin and charism, say that "the Spirit of the Lord animates the Church and constantly renews her awareness of her mission in the world. The same spirit inspired Bishop Guido Maria Conforti to dedicate himself to the evangelization of non-Christians [...] we Xaverians respond to the Lord's mandate: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good news to all creation’ (C 1). Then, the Xaverian Constitutions, regarding the aim of our Congregation, emphasize that ‘the sole and exclusive purpose of our Institute is to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to non-Christians’ (C 2).
Following the charism and the purpose of our Institute to proclaim the Good News to non-Christians, in the context of the modern world, seems to be a violation of human rights and religious freedom.
However, when I analyze and reflect upon it, it is not against the human right and religious freedom. As Xaverian, we must take new ways of living out our charism to proclaim the Good News to non-Christians. Inter-faith dialogue is the new way for us to live our charism. By doing it we must be able to contribute to build peace in the world, to better understand different realities, and relate with others in the complexity of the modern world.
By doing inter-faith dialogue, we are bringing our identity as Christians; we bring the Good News of Christ to other people. This is one way of witnessing our faith to others by presenting our life in the effort of building peace, fraternity, and unity in diversity. As Xaverians, it means to become witnesses of Christ where Christianity is still in the initial stage, unknown or forgotten. This must become our identity. The inter-faith dialogue will deepen our knowledge and nourish our faith in the Lord. This attitude of inter-faith dialogue must be incarnate in our life as Christian and as Xaverian in a particular way. This has nothing to do with proselytism, but it means building relationships and becoming witnesses of Christ to live with and for one another, and to make the world a better and peaceful place.
We need to go out of our comfort zones and start the interlacing relationships with people who are non-Christians not only where Christianity is under pressure but also where Catholics are the majority, like in the Philippines. The inter-faith dialogue is one of the possible practices at present and in the future in engaging our charism in proclaiming the Good News to those who do not know Christ and his Gospel. Inspired by St. Conforti, I would like to invite all of you to become promoters of inter-faith dialogue in our daily life.
