Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, Pilar

The Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, Pilar (Latin: Societas Missionariorum Sancti Francisci Xaverii), abbreviated SFX and commonly referred to as the Society of Pilar or the Pilar Fathers is a Roman Catholic society of apostolic life of Pontifical Right for men (priests and brothers). Its members add the nominal letters S.F.X. after their names to indicate their membership in the Congregation.

Society of the Missionaries of
St. Francis Xavier
(Society of Pilar)
Societas Missionariorum Sancti Francisci Xaverii (Latin)[1]
AbbreviationS.F.X. (post-nomonal letters)[1]
NicknamePilar Fathers[1]
FormationSeptember 26, 1887 (1887-09-26)[1]
FounderFr. José Bento Martins Ribeiro [1]
Founded atGoa, India
TypeSociety of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right (for Men)[1]
HeadquartersPilar Deepti Sadan, Institutional Zone, P.O. Alto Porvorim, Bardez, Goa, India[1]
Coordinates15.4401°N 73.8934°E / 15.4401; 73.8934
Members
452 members (362 priests) as of 2020[1]
Fr. Nazareth Fernandes, S.F.X[1]
Patron saints
  • Saint Francis Xavier
  • Our Lady of Pilar
Parent organization
Roman Catholic Church
Websitesocietypilar.org

History

The Society was formed on September 26, 1887, at Agonda (Canacona) by a priest in south Goa, India named Father José Bento Martins Ribeiro, who, together with his three companions, decided to dedicate their lives for the service of God's people. Their aim was to serve the diaspora Catholics of the predominantly non catholic areas of Goa called the 'Nova Conquistas' and to proclaim the Gospel in these areas. In 1890, the headquarters of the Society were transferred from Agonda to Pilar where the Society has its Mother House today. In 1891, the Society's Rules (Constitution) were approved by a local bishop. Father Bento Martins became the Society's first superior.

The Society grew slowly. From 1887 to 1934, the Society had no more than a total 21 members, and from 1896 to 1934 the Society never exceeded eight priests at one time.

In 1939, when only one member remained, the Society was reorganised, primarily by Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues and Fr. Francisco Sequeira with four others. Today the Society is spread over 38 dioceses in India and 8 dioceses abroad with 3 Bishops, 383 priest members and 9 lay brothers. Its Generalate is in Porvorim Goa, and its mother house is in Pilar Goa.

See also

References
  1. "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
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