Societas Missionariorum Sancti Francisci Xaverii (Latin)[1] | |
 Campus of Pilar Seminary, Goa | |
| Abbreviation | S.F.X. (post-nomonal letters)[2] |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Pilar Fathers[3] |
| Formation | September 26, 1887[4] |
| Founder | Fr. José Bento Martins Ribeiro[5] |
| Founded at | Goa, India |
| Type | Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right (for Men)[6] |
| Headquarters | Pilar Deepti Sadan, Institutional Zone, P.O. Alto Porvorim, Bardez, Goa, India[7] |
| Coordinates | 22°33′47″N 88°17′46″E / 22.563°N 88.296°E |
Members | 489 (343 priests) as of 2018[8] |
Motto | Latin: ' English: ' |
| Fr. Sebastião Mascarenhas, S.F.X[9] | |
Patron saints |
|
Parent organization | Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | pilarsociety |
The Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, Pilar (Latin: Societas Missionariorum Sancti Francisci Xaverii), commonly referred to as the Society of Pilar, the Pilar Fathers or the Agnel Ashram 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.
The Society was formed on September 26, 1887 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 objective was simply to be at the service of their bishop and be ready to work wherever they were sent. In 1891, the Society's Rules (Constitution) were approved by a local bishop. Father Bento Martins became the Society's first superior. The Society did not live together, but remained working wherever they were sent by their bishop.
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. These priests lived in their places of work and their allegiance to the Society remained primarily on paper.
In 1957 the Father Agnel Ashram, a charitable institution, was founded at Bandra, Mumbai as a common house of the Society. Over the years it has expanded to become an important educational organisation.[11]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Agnel Ashram
- Fr. Agnel Multipurpose School and Junior College
- Fr. Agnel School, New Delhi
- Fr. Agnel School, Noida
- Fr. Agnel Stadium
- Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues Institute of Technology
- Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering
- Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues Memorial Debate
- Agnelo de Souza
- Aleixo das Neves Dias
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ http://www.gcatholic. org/orders/142.htm
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "Society of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier (S.F.X.)".
- ↑ "History of the Pilar Fathers". Pilar Society. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
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