Province News

News From India: Francis Xavier Today from PATNA JESUIT: Fall 2002
Wednesday, October 02, 2002

The Patna Jesuit is a newsletter published quarterly by the Patna Province of the Society of Jesus. Fr. Jerry Drinane, SJ, is editor. In the Fall 2002, the Jesuits of Patna celebrated the 450th anniversary of the death of S.t Francis Xavier. Fr. Drinane published the following excerpt of a talk given by Fr. peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, Superior General of the Jesuits, to a gathering of Asian Jesuits in March, 2002.

Francis Xavier died on the 3rd of December, 1552, and we commemorate the 450th anniversary of his death. He is undeniably at the origin of our mission in Asia. At his departure from Europe, Xavier knew nothing of Asia: he was going into the unknown. Without reliable information, books, statistics or documents, Xavier had no way of preparing for his endeavors. Unlike ourselves, he had neither radio or television to instruct him. We, however, can and must inform ourselves so as to be able to discern together the signs of the times in Asia today. Are we willing to learn, and break out of our prejudices and formulas so as to enter into true dialogue in the continuation of Christ’s mission?

Granted that Xavier was deprived of ways that prepare himself for his encounter with the Asia of his time, he can be imitated in his efforts to enter into personal contact with people. Xavier urged his companions to be present at “the heart of the masses” they encountered in the villages they visited. “Visit those who are sick, strive to make yourselves loved by these people, for them your work will be much more effective.” Xavier was fully aware that personal encounter supposes inculturation. Fortunately for us today, there is the apostolic will to ensure contact with the people through the exercise of hospitality and solidarity, of compassion and dialogue. Our fruitful presence requires some sort of open door policy, by which we meet people in the name of Jesus, and they in turn can enter into conversation with us.

In the footsteps of Xavier: Each year in the month of May, Patna province scholastics return to their roots in Patna. They spend time in the villages, meet together and review their own commitment to the Lord and His mission of love.
In his frenetic activity, Xavier, in his own way, affirms the necessity to continue in Asia the mission of Christ, to communicate the good news. His heroic fervor leads him to the ends of the earth, yet he does not talk the language of quest. “Once again, I recommend firmly that you make yourselves loved in the villages that you visit or where you stay, by good works and kind words, so that you are loved by all and never detested. In this way, you will produce more fruit…” We continue Christ’s missions as companions in a way that, like Xavier, stresses love and respect for each human person in his or her quest: respect for the action of the spirit. This does not prevent us from stressing the centrality of a personal experience with Jesus in our way, to attain this experience. In the words of Xavier, “let all witness more by their lives and by their works than by preaching.” In Asia more than any where else, our lives must be authentic and revealing of the love of Christ which urges us on to build an Asian civilization of love…

When Xavier conversed with the people of Asia, he encountered desires and questions, anxieties and hopes common to humanity. We live in the same tensions today. In the words of John Paul II: “wherever she is, the church must sink its roots deeply into the spiritual and cultural soil of the country, assimilate all genuine values, enriching them with the insights of Jesus Christ that she has acquired.” The contribution of the Jesuits on mission in Asia will not only help the Church there, but serve as an encouragement and model to the universal apostolic body of the Society in its endeavors to proclaim the Gospel, following the example of St. Francis Xavier.”
(Inaugural Talk to Asian Jesuits, March 2002)