"Lent Around the World with the Xaverian Missionaries"

Each year during the month of March, a Novena of Masses is being offered for our benefactors, and for the intentions dearest to their hearts. It is called the “Novena of Grace” because countless people have had their prayers answered by God through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier, the patron Saint of all the missions.

In 1633 when Saint Francis Xavier appeared to Marcellus Mastrilli, SJ in a healing vision, he promised that all who would earnestly ask his intercession with God for nine days would experience profound grace.

People joining into the “Novena of Grace” often pray for spiritual and physical healing and for reconciliation in their relationships.

During the Novena, the relics of St. Francis Xavier are honored on our altar, as a visible means of connecting us to the Saint, who, thus continues to be present to us.

This “Novena of Grace” is traditionally prayed from the 4th to the 12th March, join us in praying to him. We will offer Holy Mass during this time, praying for your intentions.

Regarding Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Provincial Superior, Fr. Mark Marangone SX issues this statement "If You Want Peace, Prepare for Peace," written by Alberto Lo Presti of the Focolare Movement, and who writes for the Italian magazine, Citta' Nuova. Lo Presti quotes Igino Giordani, a member of the Italian Parliament and who was in charge of the Vatican Library for many years, writing in the Mid-Twentieth Century about the uselessness of war.

We invite you to share prayers for Ukraine.

Our world has witnessed the extraordinary injustice and unprovoked attack against the people of Ukraine by Russian forces. Our hearts pour out in many places of the world to offer support and solace to Ukraine in these uncertain times.

With Pope Francis, we “appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies,” and we call upon all the parties involved to “refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.”

Our prayers may lead to many opportunities in action and advocacy as peoples of all faiths and those who do not espouse any faith gather in compassion and justice. As we do so in the complex relationships of charity, structural justice where sanctions are being imposed, and the power of prayers, we must be aware of cybersecurity...

In addition to the injustices that have deepened during this ongoing pandemic, we are trying to live through the day to day.

So many of us feel numb, our hearts hardened simply as a means of survival.

Some of us are exhausted, some angry, some worn down…we are all deeply frustrated in some way with the reality of the world.

But what if we can transform our frustration into holy frustration? Learn more from the Ignatian Solidarity Network.

The Scripture Study group conducted by Fr. Michael Davitti SX at the Provincial House is growing and has members from all around the Diocese of Paterson! It is conducted in units: one topic at the time, creating friendship and knowledge at the same time. Fr. Michael has also been invited to work at St. Joseph Church in West Milford, the oldest parish in NJ (circa 1765). Please email to join the Scripture Study group.

Ash Wednesday Masses will be at 7:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. in the Shrine Church.

Stations of the Cross will be every Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Conforti Chapel.

Lectio Divina is scheduled in the Shrine Church for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays March 22nd, March 29th April 5th, April 12th. Bring your Bible.

Sunday March 20th after the 10:00 a.m. Mass there will be another coffee gathering. All are welcome. We do ask that those who wish to join us sign up on March 13th so we have an idea of how many are interested and joining us for the 20th. This Lenten gathering will focus on St. Patrick the missionary. A short presentation on his life and mission service will be part of this breakfast event. This will take the place of our traditional Soup and Mission series that we had in the past.

“What does it take to be a disciple” is a virtual series of 6 Zoom hour long meetings on the social teachings of our Church which directs us to work for the common good through prayer, reflection, and action. We will draw inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti and other teachings, but share the method that engages this teaching, and witness several actual examples of how this takes shape in local parishes. This series begins March 21st from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and continues March 28th, April 4th, April 11th, April 18th and ends April 25th. To register and get the Zoom link contact Fr. Rocco Puopolo.

Interfaith Gathering on Buddhist Master, Thick Nacht Hahn, Sunday March 6th at 4:00 p.m.*

Interfaith Dialogue on CREATION, Wednesday March 9th at 7p.m. *

Beginning March 10th every Thursday of Lent, there will be an Ecumenical Bible Study with the Christian Churches of Holliston.*   (See graphic below.)

* The above 3 are virtual. Contact Fr. Carl for more information.

On April 2nd and 3rd as well as April 14th 15th and 16th the Xaverian Missionaries at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston are inviting young Catholic men and women interested in learning about missionary service as a priest, brother, sister or lay missionary.  Each day begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. and has a different theme. There will be time for personal prayer, adoration and sharing. Participants can come to one or to all five days. If interested in learning more contact Fr. Rocco.

Fatima Shrine Pax Christi Group Meeting takes place on the second Friday of each month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the ‘Upper Room’ in the Office/Residence building. New members are welcome. We are one of 14 Pax Christi groups statewide and are part of Pax Christi USA and Pax Christi International. Email Fr. Rocco for more information.

The Writers Group of Fatima Shrine now meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. in the the Upper Room above the St. Guido Conforti Chapel in the Office /residence building (note change in venue). New members are welcome.

In 2020 we began local research to understand the experience of Catholic families with disaffiliated family members. We listened to intergenerational stories of departure from church practice and the exploration of multiple ways of understanding spirituality, meaning, and belonging within and beyond the institutional church. This project is meant as a bridge of dialogue in the changing religious landscape we all live in. Learn more.

Fr Carl has received encouragement from the Vatican!

​"How Our Faiths Can Inspire us to Create Equitable Communities"

The Metrowest Interfaith Dialogue Project is a collaborative network of religious leaders and advocates representing diverse faith traditions, also including our friends and neighbors who don’t identify with any specific faith tradition. Read it's Mission and Goals for 2022 here.

At the beginning of February, I had the opportunity to travel with a group of friends to Colombia. We planned this trip before the pandemic hit us, and we postponed it due to Covid-19. Finally, this year, we were brave enough to go ahead with the trip. It took us a bit to prepare it and to see what we wanted to visit. Once armed and with a clear itinerary, we were on our way. The highlights of this trip were...

When the faith of the other speaks to you of God and transmits to you that beautiful presence that only God gives, then you discover once again something that we hardly intuit: the others always present us with something of the God whom we love and in whom we believe, but who always, always surpasses us.

This has been my impression of the meeting with Mme. Latifa Ibn Ziaten, a woman who lives her faith in such a simple and at the same time profound way in which simplicity and depth are confused and suddenly one does not know on which path she is going.

As early as the third century, St. Irenaeus discussed Lenten preparation for Easter, talking about what the “forefathers” in faith, meaning the apostles, did to prepare for Easter. However, in St. Irenaeus’ day, no Churchwide consensus existed on how long Lent should be. It wasn’t until the Council of Nicaea (325) that “the 40 days of Lent” began to be discussed. St. Athanasius urged a 40-day fast, as did St. Cyril of Alexandria.

Finally, Pope St. Leo (d. 461) specifically instructed that Christians must “fulfill with their fasts the apostolic institution of the 40 days,” an admonition that has remained in place ever since. Learn more.

The current issue is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Tony Lalli SX who entered Eternal Life on December 3, 2021. Learn about Fr. Tony's dedication to the Xaverian Missionaries through his own words and reflections. His gentle counsel will remain with us always!. Read it here.

St. Guido Maria Conforti, founder of the Xaverian Missionaries. Our "missionary to the world" became a saint on World Mission Sunday, October 23, 2011. Learn all about him here. 

Mother Celestina Bottego, founder of the Xaverian Missionary Sisters of Mary. Read about her here. Read the latest about her in The National Catholic Register.