Rooted in Gospel values, the example of St. Francis Xavier, and the vision of Theodore James Ryken, the last three General Chapters of the Xaverian Brothers (1995, 2001, and 2007) call the Brothers to center their lives on the example of Jesus in seeking out and working with the poor and marginalized. From a contemplative stance, the Brothers are called to help those who are on the margins to lead the full lives God intends, and to do whatever they can to help change those structures of society which keep many people poor and marginalized.

Recognizing that a contemplative stance enables us to more fully embrace our union with God in the spirit, and thus to live out that core sense of justice that Jesus calls all of us to, the Office of Peace and Justice provides for the Brothers and their friends and associates the following:

1. Resources on spirituality and social justice which help one to defy the modern assumptions of consumerism and individualism and live according to the Gospel.
   
   
2. A clearinghouse of information putting the Brothers and their friends and associates in connection with faith groups and other human needs organizations that create awareness of and promote justice and peace, targeting specific needs worldwide and here at home.
   
   
3. Information on current social justice activities undertaken under the auspices of the Xaverian Brothers.
   
   
4. Action Alerts which will give breaking news from a social justice perspective and provide suggestions for actions people can take to promote social justice and peace.

ACTION ALERTS

Advocacy to help resolve the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Africa Faith and Justice Network (of which the Xaverian Brothers are one of the member Congregations) has had a campaign for the last year to let people know that the US government can play a much more effective role in helping to bring about peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Most members of the US Congress are not paying attention to the fact that the US government favors the Rwandan position in the DRC -Rwandan - rebel groups peace negotiations and is not truly neutral in a conflict that has horrendous abuses on all sides. The US has much leverage with the Rwandan government and so far has not used this effectively. Click here to read about this campaign and to send faxes to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to take immediate action to help halt the violence between Rwanda and Congo