The 57th Provincial Assembly: Seeds of the Past, Hope for the Future

The 57th Provincial Meeting of the Province of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, held in Taiwan from April 13–17, 2026, became much more than a scheduled assembly or an institutional gathering. It was experienced as a true Kairos, a privileged moment of grace in which the seeds planted by past generations revealed their fruits in the present, while new seeds were entrusted to those who will continue the mission in the future.

Priests and brothers from the different missions across Asia and Australia gathered not simply to share reports or discuss projects, but to encounter one another as brothers united by the same missionary vocation inspired by St. John Baptist Scalabrini.

Before the Provincial Assembly itself, the “Under 10” meeting brought together priests ordained for less than ten years. It became an important space of fraternity, dialogue, and listening, where younger priests were able to share openly the realities and challenges they face in missionary life today. Beyond discussing difficulties, the meeting encouraged mutual support and reminded participants that missionary life is never lived alone. Walking together as brothers, accompanying one another, and learning from shared experiences remain essential for sustaining missionary joy and perseverance in today’s world.

Following this gathering, the meeting of the formators offered an opportunity to reflect more deeply on the reality of the Province’s formation houses and the challenges involved in accompanying the formandi in a meaningful and effective way. The discussions emphasized the need for greater collaboration and unity among the different houses of formation in order to provide an accompaniment that is not only academically solid, but also humanly, spiritually, and missionarily integrated. The future of the Province depends greatly on the capacity to form missionaries rooted in faith, fraternity, and the charism of Scalabrini.

Throughout the Provincial Meeting, it became evident that the Province carries within itself the richness of many generations of missionary dedication. Some brothers are now harvesting the fruits of sacrifices and missionary work carried out by those who came before them; others are sowing seeds whose fruits may only be seen by future generations. In this sense, the assembly became a living reminder that mission is always larger than one individual or one generation. The work we continue today is the inheritance of the faith, sacrifices, and hope of those who preceded us, just as future generations will one day depend on the seeds we choose to plant now.

The successful realization of the Provincial Meeting was made possible through the generous dedication of our brothers in Taiwan, who carefully prepared and organized the entire meetings. Their work, often carried out quietly and behind the scenes, created an atmosphere of welcome, fraternity, and communion that allowed every participant to feel truly at home. Their hospitality and service reflected the missionary spirit and brotherhood that continue to strengthen the Province of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini.

A kairos is never simply a comfortable moment; it is also a call and a responsibility. The experience in Taiwan reminded us that the life of the Province is part of a journey shaped by many generations of missionaries. It was not only a time to reflect, but a call to continue the mission with renewed faith and commitment.

As the brothers return to their respective missions, the spirit of this encounter goes with them as a call to live fraternity and shared mission more concretely. What was experienced in Taiwan is meant to continue in daily life and ministry. The seeds planted by those who came before us now bear fruit in our time. The mission is now in our hands, and the future will depend on our willingness to continue sowing with generosity for those who will come after us.

Fr. Hugo Facio, CS