Reflection on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier

Monday,  December 03rd, 2007

Celebrating the feast of St. Francis Xavier today, remind me of a place that I spent for two years for my regency. I spent two great years with people full of spirit and enthusiasm who lived together in one community, namely Xavier High School Community. What unique about Xavier is: people who lived there came from different backgrounds. Most teachers and staff who joined the community as volunteers are coming from different countries. Averagely they are young people since they just graduate from colleges, even there are high school graduates. Similarly the students of Xavier also are coming from different islands of Micronesia. Despite of their differences, the community lived together in a tight bind like a family. 

While I was there, I often thought about this situation. I asked myself: what was it that made us attach between one another so strongly? I found out that most people who left Xavier still miss that place so much, either they are alumnae or ex-teachers. Once I reflected to different motivation that drove them to Xavier. Most of the volunteers come to Xavier, especially the American youngsters who join the Jesuit Volunteer Service, do not choose the place by their own. They come with a motivation to do good things for other people. They simply want to be “men and women for others”. Contrary with their teachers, the students eagerly come to Xavier since they know that is the best place to have education on the region. To come to Xavier means to have opportunities to get higher-level of education. It means they can have a better life. Most leaders of the Micronesian countries are Xavier alumnae. However, even with different motivation, both students and teachers are having same challenges to come to Xavier. They should leave their common, secure and stable condition, and move out to insecurity. They leave their family and friends, change to make new relationship with new people that they do not know, even people that they find have different languages to communicate. There are so many things new to adjust, and there are also risks to be failed to adapt with them.       

I notice from my reflection that God provides miracles to Xavierites, that’s how we called ourselves, instead of disaster because although we are coming with different backgrounds, we have a same spirit. We are coming to Xavier to make a better world. Kids learn a lot from their teachers how they try to give their best while teaching. Their spirit give witness to the students about what it is mean to life and to share it with others.

This reflection makes me believe Xavier is a blessing to everyone who ever experienced it. It reflects the spirit that moved the Saint himself and become a witness to the region of the works of God’s providence. Francis Xavier was an up-and-coming professor at the University of Paris when Ignatius met him. He had the whole world in front of him when Ignatius posed Jesus’ radical question to him, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mt. 16:26) The question became a turning point for him. He was gradually turned from fine scholar to dedicated saint and spent his life in bringing Christ to the Far East.

I conclude my reflection today by inviting you to learn from the Saint that we celebrate today. Let God open us to a spirit of availability. Let he give us courage to hear and respond his calling in our everyday life. Let us not prevent our selves from risks and challenges that we may face as long as we are honest to our conscience that what we are doing only for the greater glory of God. Amen.      

Learned more about Xavier High School of Micronesia: www.xaviermicronesia.org    

Dedicated to people from Mabuchi Hill, Chuuk, Micronesia.

PS: to Xavierites, Happy Xavier Day! I miss you all so much …