The Xaverian Missionaries are a Catholic order founded in Italy in 1895 by Saint Guido Maria Conforti, Bishop of Parma.

Their only mission was China for 50 years.

Their founder finding inspiration in the story of Saint Francis Xavier, wanted to share the Gospel with the people of China in the XVI century. However, Xavier died before achieving this dream on an island near the Chinese coast.

Conforti was a seminarian at the time when he read Xavier’s adventures. So, he felt the urge to continue his dream. But Conforti’s health was very fragile. He suffered for many years of epilepsies. And even his ordination as a priest was put to test because of his illness.

That’s why Conforti decided to establish a community of priests, brothers, and sisters, to spread the Good News of the Gospel around the world. And the first destination for his missionaries was China.

An Italian Xaverian priest, Fr. Henry Frassineti was going back home in 1940.

However, during World War II, Italy was an ally of Germany. And the U.S. government considered Italian citizens as enemies. So, it was very hard for Frassineti to both go back to Italy or remain in the States.

The only diocese that eventually welcomed the Italian priest was Boston in early 1946. Two other Xaverians – Illuminati and Begheldo – were assigned to the U.S. to “preach missions” in Italian parishes in New England and New York.

The house of Holliston, Massachusetts was officially opened as a seminary on September 14, 1947. Only three years later, the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine was opened in the same area.

During 75 years of presence, the Xaverians have opened and closed several houses in the States.

The following map shows the different Xaverian communities in the U.S.

In green, those that are still active. In red, the others that closed over the years.