Xaverian Spirituality

The Fundamental Principles of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier tell us:

You were created by the God of love

In God’s image and according to God’s likeness

To be a unique expression of that love

It is through you that God desires to manifest Love

To the peoples of the world.

This simple expression beautifully captures the essence of Xaverian spirituality. Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools help students to understand and deepen their appreciation that they are unique expressions of God’s love, intended to share that love with the world. God is in our midst in each other.

Malden Catholic is one of 13 Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools (XBSS) in the United States. The mission of the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools flows directly from the mission of the Congregation of the Xaverian Brothers, which is “to serve the Church in its work of evangelization, particularly through the Church’s ministry of education.” Xaverian Brothers schools serve the Catholic Church’s educational mission by forming young people to be faith-filled, contemplative leaders who address the evolving needs of our world and are rooted in values of humility, simplicity, compassion, trust and zeal. 

It is in the small, seemingly insignificant moments - what Theodore James Ryken, founder of the Xaverian Brothers, called “the ordinary, unspectacular flow of everyday life” - that an XBSS student may experience the presence of God and grow into a faith-filled, compassionate leader, thinker and difference maker. 

Traditions

The Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier, a community of lay religious brothers, was founded in Bruges, Belgium, in 1839 by Theodore James Ryken. The first Xaverian Brothers in America arrived at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1854. There, they taught in parish schools and in 1864 established the first Xaverian secondary school in America, beginning a long and distinguished history of Xaverian education that would quickly expand in the United States and complement the Congregation’s work throughout the world. The history of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Francis Xavier has shaped the unique character of Xaverian education today. Overcoming adversity, recognizing its human limitations, and harnessing the power of faith and enduring personal relationships, the Xaverian Congregation lives its motto, “In harmony, small things grow.” 

Service

Xaverian spirituality invites us “to fall in love with the service of God,” as Xaverian Founder Theodore Ryken did. A true sense of community and responsibility for others infuses every aspect of life in a Xaverian Brothers Sponsored school. Every member of the community has something important to contribute to the school’s mission and work. With Jesus, our model, we are called to serve. Similarly, the School itself must be a model of Christian service to the larger world. A Xaverian Brothers education helps students develop the attitudes and values essential for a life of Christian service and social consciousness.

Leadership and Excellence

At the heart of a Xaverian Brothers education is our commitment to the full development of each person. We begin with the understanding that each student manifests unique talents and interests. Academic offerings and the instructional process foster leadership and excellence. They are designed to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to allow students to explore areas of study that engage and excite their individual interests. A Xaverian education fosters outstanding achievement in students with a broad range of abilities and encourages the following:

• enduring personal relationships.
• stewardship for God's creation.
• the centrality of religious instruction, spiritual formation, worship and prayer.
• character and moral value development.
• a challenging educational program.
• a spirit of harmony.
• a passion for justice and peace.