Xaverian Missionaries

The Xaverians were to have an official residence in London on February 11th, 1955. The house was in South Norwood and allowed access to the University of London. Before this, however, there was an unofficial presence and the beginning of a friendship that lasts to this day: begun by Fr. Bramati with the Apicella Family. Their home was to become a focus for confreres in London: for English conversation, for a meal and even (on occasion) for an extra bed! After the number of English language Xaverians began to increase and a larger house was required, the Apicellas came to the rescues and an informal arrangement was agreed with them and then formalised in 1969. About this time it was decided to transfer the province’s small theology community from Cardross, near Glasgow to London and a small house in Holdenhurst Ave, Finchley, was purchased. When larger premises were needed, Nether Street was bought in 1973. From here students of philosophy and theology attended school at the Missionary Institute London and engaged in pastoral work in the nearby parishes of St Alban’s and St Philip’s where many wonderful friendships were forged. In 1985 the decision was taken to amalgamate the theology with that of Chicago. Nether Street then became part of the Central Delegation and serves as a place of study for English for those completing further studies.

With Nether Street changing hands, the British Region moved to Holden Road in 1986. The house became a focus for mission animation and vocation promotion and even served as novitiate for a short period. The turnover of personnel in the house was too great to mention, in part due to people moving there either just as they arrived in the region or just before leaving to return to the missions. The focus for friends and benefactors thus, by default, become Nether Street. It was to be the house where Fr. Paul Magurn was to spend his final days in 1989.

London was also a place for experimentation during the 1990’s: an inserted community in the East End. Walter Taini and Ricardo Tobanelli were the first to take this bold new initative to reality. However, due to circumstances, Archie Casey and John Fagan brought the experiment to an end. However, it was to affect the role of the Xaverians in London. The community moved from Finchley to Stoke Newington towards the end of 1999. A new community for a new Millennium with a new way of being missionary in Britain is the role of the community today. They are engaging with the local church, in dialogue with the local Jewish community and offering our charism to the people they meet.