Xaverian Missionaries

To keep to our agreement, the process of forming British Xaverians became as much a priority as preparing for mission in Africa. It took a time for suitable premises to be found, but then Mons. Rogers, from Motherwell Diocese, offered a house and a parish in Biggar. After discussion and debate the offer was accepted and by February 16th, 1950 the first formation house was opened. At the same time it was felt that a larger house was needed in Glasgow to accommodate those preparing for mission, and so the General Chapter of 1956 decided that a more permanent presence in Scotland was needed. Nithsdale Road thus became a larger fixture in the blossoming Province.

The Junior Seminary in Coatbridge began as the dream of Fr. Castelli (Superior General) with the help of Bishop Donald Scanlon of Motherwell. Coatbridge was to be a significant step on the road to British Xaverian vocations and the internationalisation of the congregation. This was followed by a year of postulancy in Glasgow with philosophy and theology at Cardross (1966).
The College, as it came to be known, was built with the assistance of many of the local community who volunteered time in its construction. The College was opened in 1960 and closed in 1985, with wide repercussions for the Province. During its time it helped introduce many young men to the ideal and spirit of the Xaverians. It also produced a number of vocations to the Xaverian missions, the diocese of Motherwell, and helped create a Xaverian presence in the West of Scotland. The College not only acted as a focus for missionary vocations in Scotland and Britain, it was a resource for the local church in terms of missionary animation, supplies, parish retreats and other areas where the local church was in need.

After 44 year, much debate, discussion and pain, another house was to be closed and not replaced for some time: that of Nithsdale Road, in Glasgow. The year was 1991. It was a house that all British Xaverians passed through at one time during their vocational journey. However, although the house itself closed, the desire to work in and help the Archdiocese never died. In fact, only last year the Xaverians took on a pro-active stance within the Archdiocese at Sacred Heart Parish, Bridgeton where Frs. Kevin Ryan and Willie Hattie were based. At present Frs. Tom Welsk, Peppino Tavera and John Convery are ministring to the Parish of St. Alpnonsus, in the Barras.