The Feast of St. Francis Xavier

Born in a castle of the Kingdom of Navarre in 1506, his father was the Chief Administrator of the castle and also a wealthy farmer. 

But his childhood was difficult. His father died when he was nine and then the Spanish invaded, bringing a war that would last nearly two decades and involve many in his family. 

Francis was sent to study in Paris where he excelled in his studies and was an athlete. It was here that he met St. Peter Faber and St. Ignatius of Loyola. 

Faber tried to convince Francis to become a priest but he was resistant. Nonetheless, after several conversations with Faber and, especially, Ignatius, he was reminded of Jesus’ question: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” 

Francis’ view began to change and in 11534, along with Ignatius, Faber, and several others, he took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience to the Pope as they began a new community; The Society of Jesus. 

Francis made the spiritual exercises under Ignatius and was ordained in 1537. 

In 1540, the society of Jesus was approved by Pope Paul III. Francis was sent to Goa, on the west coast of India, where he spent a decade spreading the faith as he served as Provincial. 

From there he traveled extensively through the islands of Malaysia and up to Japan learning enough Japanese to instruct, Baptize, and establish missions. 

On a mission to China in 1552, Francis Xavier died before he could reach the mainland. His remains are enshrined in The Church of Good The Jesus in Goa. He and St. Therese of Lisieux were named co-patrons of the missions in 1925. 

St. Francis Xavier, please pray for us.