The biennial international meeting of the Missionary Societies of Apostolic Life (MISAL) took place from December 2 to 6, 2024, at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre in Goa. Organized by the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (SFX), the event brought together around thirty delegates from 19 missionary societies. This conference, enhanced by the presence of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, coincided with the decennial exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron of Missions, at the cathedral in Old Goa.
Goa: A Living Memory of Mission
A former Portuguese colony, Goa played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity across Asia. Nearly five centuries ago, numerous missionaries set sail from its shores to the far reaches of the East. In 1543, it was from Goa that Francis Xavier embarked on his journey to the Comoros Archipelago before continuing his missionary endeavors to Ceylon, the Moluccas, and then Japan.
The Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (SFX), which hosted this gathering, continues to uphold this missionary spirit. Founded in 1887 by Fr. Bento Martins in Agonda, Goa—then under Portuguese rule—the Society moved its headquarters in 1890 to an old Capuchin monastery in Pilar.
Today, the Society of Pilar operates in 38 dioceses across India and 8 dioceses abroad, with 383 priests, 9 lay brothers, and 3 bishops among its members. In 2010, it was elevated to the status of a Society of Pontifical Right, further solidifying its universal vocation.
A Fresh Perspective on the Frontiers of Mission
The MISAL 2024 conference began on Monday, December 2, 2024, in the presence of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa; Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India; and Bishop Sebastiao Mascarenhas of Baroda, a former Superior General of the SFX.
In his keynote address, Cardinal Tagle urged delegates to redefine the frontiers of mission. According to him, these “frontiers” take various forms:
- Geographical and Cultural: Understanding local barriers to better inculturate the Gospel.
- Unexplored: Reaching out to neglected or overlooked spaces.
- Intellectual and Digital: Engaging with emerging fields creatively and faithfully.
Tagle also highlighted the paradox of “established zones,” where spiritual poverty threatens Christian vitality, while “unstable zones” produce both martyrs and vocations. He exhorted participants to overcome divisions and embrace a truly universal mission.
An entire day was dedicated to presentations by the participating Societies. These exchanges allowed delegates to share their histories, challenges, and visions for the future. It was an enriching dive into the diversity of missionary experiences.
Theological Discernment and Practical Challenges
The intervention by Félix Wilfred, priest and emeritus professor of Christian Studies at the State University of Madras, titled New Frontiers of Mission: Envisioning the Engagement of Societies of Apostolic Life in Today’s World, garnered significant interest among the participants.
He urged the Societies of Apostolic Life not to merely react to contemporary challenges but to discern the signs of the times and respond proactively and creatively. He emphasized that the spirit of synodality calls for courageous engagement in areas where human and spiritual needs are most acute.
The theologian identified five priorities for renewed missionary action:
- Integral Ecology: Responding to the cries of the earth and the poor, inspired by the encyclical Laudato Si’.
- Mission to the Marginalized: Paying special attention to migrants and their sufferings.
- Defending Women’s Rights and Dignity: Promoting their role in society and the Church.
- Interreligious Dialogue in a Pluralistic World: Building bridges among religions for harmonious coexistence.
- Engagement in Digital and Secular Spaces: Investing in digital evangelization and addressing the challenges of the digital world.
An additional workshop led by Anton Paul SDB, official representative of the Dicastery for Evangelization, focused on the practical and canonical issues specific to the Societies of Apostolic Life. His presentation shed light on key topics such as the governance of missionary Societies, admission and formation procedures for members, the rules governing resignation or voluntary departure, and the duties and responsibilities of members in alignment with the founding charisms.
Spiritual Conversation and Final Statement
A pivotal moment of the gathering was the practice of spiritual conversation, a method inspired by the Ignatian tradition, enabling enlightened communal discernment.
Through prayer, communal meditation, and active listening, the delegates sought to discern together God’s will for the future of the apostolic mission. This approach fostered a space of trust and openness, encouraging profound exchanges on the contemporary challenges of mission.
The final statement of MISAL 2024, arising from this discernment process, reaffirmed four key priorities:
- Personal Transformation and Faith Formation: Cultivating in members a fervent love for God and communion in the Spirit of Christ, inspiring them to love as He loves.
- Mission to the Marginalized: Faithful to the ad gentes vocation, engaging courageously with the marginalized, especially migrants, with a spirit of contemplation and wonder at God’s work.
- Synodality and Fraternity: Promoting a community life rooted in synodality and strengthening solidarity among the Societies.
- Missionary Engagement in the Digital World: Investing in the digital field to bring an authentic evangelizing presence.
The declaration concludes with these words: Together we journey embracing the universal frontier of God’s love, then ‘journeying together we reach far.’
The Future: Initiatives and Concrete Measures
The participants also emphasized the importance of MISAL meetings and set some milestones to strengthen ties and collaboration among the Societies. To achieve this, several decisions were made:
- Establishment of a Permanent Secretariat: A structure will be established to coordinate exchanges and promote communication among member Societies.
- Historical Research for MISAL’s 50th Anniversary: In anticipation of this milestone in 2025, an in-depth study will be conducted on the history and impact of MISAL since its creation. The archives currently housed at the SMA House in Rome will be digitized to preserve and enhance this legacy. A publication recounting this history is also planned.
Future Meeting Planning:
- A continental European meeting is scheduled for 2025 in Milan, organized by the PIME (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions).
- The next international MISAL meeting will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2026.
Cultural highlights, including concerts organized by the brothers and laypeople of the community, exhibitions on the ethnic and religious heritage of Goa and India, and a cruise along the Mandovi River—a historic route of Saint Francis Xavier—also enriched the program. These activities allowed the delegates to gain a deeper understanding of Goa’s missionary heritage while strengthening their bonds in a friendly and informal atmosphere.
MISAL 2024 powerfully reminds us that mission transcends all boundaries when lived in a spirit of communion and universal love.
This gathering renewed the commitment of the Societies to work together for an evangelization that is ever bolder, more innovative, and faithful to the spirit of their origins. The initiatives undertaken reflect the vitality and unity of the Societies of Apostolic Life in their vocation to serve Christ and His Church.
