Society of Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier

What echoes louder than the name of St. Francis Xavier in the heart of Delhi? Here at the Society of Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier, those echoes resonate with a unique history. The Society of Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier, also known as the Society of Pilar, began far from the bustling streets of Delhi, in the tranquil village of Agonda, Goa. In 1887, Father Bento Martins, a humble diocesan priest, ignited the flame of this society. He envisioned spreading the Gospel to new territories under Portuguese rule, invoking the spirit of the renowned Jesuit missionary, Francis Xavier. The society found its first home in 1891, an abandoned monastery atop Pilar Hill, gifted by Dom Antonio S. Valente, the Patriarch of Goa. This location became synonymous with the Society, giving them the moniker “Pilar Fathers”. The Society of Pilar, under the patronage of Our Lady of Pilar, thrived initially. They engaged in missionary work, catechizing in Goa and beyond. Pilar became a hub for retreats and renewal, bolstered by figures like Fr. Agnelo de Souza, whose sanctity drew crowds to his tomb even after his death in 1927. However, challenging times befell the Society. A ban on religious societies by Portuguese authorities coupled with Fr. Bento’s untimely death from malaria at 49, brought the Society to near extinction. By 1939, only one member, Fr. Remedios Gomes, remained. Yet, the spirit of St. Francis Xavier refused to be extinguished. A revitalization came in 1939, when five enthusiastic diocesan priests, including the dynamic Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues and Fr. Francisco Sequeira, joined Fr. Gomes. They breathed new life into the Society of Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier, reaffirming the commitment to their patron saint and reorganizing under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These “Second Founders” expanded the Society’s reach across India, establishing a seminary to ensure its continuity. Today, the Society of Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier, with its rich and resilient history, continues its mission from Goa to Delhi and beyond, a testament to the enduring legacy of St. Francis Xavier.