Tag: XAVERI MOVEMENT

By Pearson Salu, Coordinator.

Members of the Xaveri movement from different parishes in the Diocese of Mongu gathered in Namushakende for a three-day camping between the 15^th and 18^th December 2016. This camping brought together 66 Xaverains from 7 parishes of the Diocese namely: St. Michael’s, Kalabo; St. Lawrence, Limulunga; St. John’s, Katongo; Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Mongu; St. Agatha, Kapulanga; St. Francis, Malengwa and the host St. Gabriel, Namushakende.

These days of camping were very exciting and entertaining, full of learning, discovery and adventure. We had a variety of activities which included sports such as soccer and volley ball, road runs every morning, drills, bible quiz, drama and sketches as well as debates. We also had inputs on the rosary and the role of Mary in our lives, and an input on the liturgy of the Church. During these days, the members also animated the daily liturgical celebrations with vigour and enthusiasm and creativity.

All the activities culminated in the big celebration on Sunday where 16 new Xaverians were commissioned while 10 made their Xaveri promise. The Mass which was well animated by the Xaverians was presided over by Fr Alfred Awogya, Parish Priest, assisted by Fr Marcin Perfikowski, M.Afr. In his homily, Fr. Alfred stressed the need for all Christians to emulate the courage and faith of Joseph the husband of Mary who listened and welcomed the will of God in his life. He urged particularly those to be commissioned to remain committed and, like Joseph, seek to do the will of God in their particular vocation in the Church as Xaverians. During the same Mass, the parishioners of St. Gabriel welcomed their new priest, Fr Marcin, who has just arrived to start his priestly ministry in the parish.

The young men and women dressed in their neat Xaveri uniforms of red and white (with green sashes for others) put up a splendid and colourful parade after Mass to the cheer of the Christians who had gathered outside the church to watch. Even the slight down pour could not deter the vibrant young soldiers of God to exercise their duty. Fr Alfred was called upon to inspect the august parade. It was a beautiful experience. We give thanks to God for the growth and the spread of the Xaveri movement in our Diocese. We thank Fr Alfred and his team for the warm hospitality. May God bless the new commissioned Xaverians and all Xaverians throughout the world.

Link: Short Presentation of the Xaveri Movement

The Xaveri movement in South Africa.

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 3, 2016

In News, South Africa Sector

Recently, George Okwii, M.Afr, replaced Michel Meunier as Chaplain of the Xaveri movement based in Pretoria Archdiocese though Michel remains a member of the Board. This movement was founded in 1952 by late Father Georges Defour (+2012) in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There has always been a close link between the Xaveri and the Missionaries of Africa. In South Africa, Martin Mande, age 34, originally from Bukavu, initiated the movement in 2007 which has developed since then to reach Swaziland at Hlatikulu Christ the King Parish, Manzini Diocese. George Okwii, who knew the movement in Uganda, was also instrumental in setting up a branch in Henley-KwaMphumuza, Pietermaritzburg. Ministering now from Johannesburg, his chaplaincy with the Xaveri takes mostly place at the Cathedral of Pretoria. Hopefully, it will also spread over to Johannesburg.

At the moment, the Xaveri movement is concentrating its activities around a choir, charitable works such as visiting the sick, social activities, bible studies and prayers. A special attention is also given in bringing together migrants or refugees with South-Africans. See below, the testimony of Mme Dudu, Matron of the movement in KwaZulu Natal. She is a lecturer at Durban University of Technology.

A special celebration took place at Sunday Mass on the 25^th September at the Cathedral of Pretoria with the blessing of medals given to some members who made their promise to serve Christ and one another.

SHORT PRESENTATION OF THE XAVERI MOVEMENT:

Definition: The organisation is governed by its Constitution as an independent, non-political, non-Governmental, non-profit and educational organisation for boys, girls and adults open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose of bringing together young people in a congenial and happy atmosphere which is inspired by the spirit of healthy African Traditions.

Aim: The aim of the organization is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of society, to build up true human beings whose interior life is stimulated by the spirituality of non-violence and inspire to lead an active apostolate in their own environment.

Principles: Love of God. Love of each other. Love of self.

Method: The Xaveri Method is a system of progressive self-education through the membership of small groups involving, under adult guidance, progressive discovery and acceptance of responsibility and training towards self-government directed towards the development of character, and the acquisition of competence, self-reliance, dependability and capacities both to co-operate and to lead.

Progressive and stimulating programmes of varied activities based on the interests of the participants, including games, useful skills, and services to the community and outdoors activities in contact with nature.

Objectives: To help young people make positive choices to live their life to the full. To educate young people regarding good citizenship. To encourage and assist youth to develop their talents fully. To help youth to grow in awareness of correct spiritual, moral and cultural values so that they may incorporate these values in their lives.