Saint Francis Xavier
Feast day: December 3
Saint Francis Xavier, Jesuit priest, missionary to Asia, patron of the missions (03/12)
Who is he?
Saint Francis Xavier was one of the first Jesuits and a great missionary in Asia. He crossed thousands of kilometers of sea to bring the Gospel to peoples who did not yet know God. In 1927, the Church chose him, together with Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, as patron of the missions.
Life story
Francis was born on 7 April 1506 at the castle of Xavier, in Navarre, now part of Spain. When he grew up, he went to university in Paris. He was a good student and a good athlete, and he dreamed of a grand future.
His roommate was Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius often reminded him of Jesus’ words: “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” (Mt 16:26). At first Francis paid no attention, but little by little he understood and decided to give his life to God. With Ignatius and a few friends, he founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits).
In 1541, at the request of King John III of Portugal, he sailed for India and reached Goa in 1542. The voyage took more than a year, the sea was rough, many people on board fell sick, and he cared for them with great devotion.
For ten years, he preached in India, Malacca, the Moluccas and Japan. He went from village to village, ringing a bell to call the children to learn catechism, and then the children went home and taught their parents. He worked hard to learn the local languages and had the catechism translated. He cared for the sick, helped the poor and baptized a great many people.
He longed to go to China, but while he was waiting for a boat on the island of Shangchuan, he fell seriously ill. He died on 3 December 1552, only 46 years old. He was canonized in 1622.
Why is he a saint?
Saint Francis Xavier gave up fame and honor to love Jesus above everything. He was not afraid of hardship, great distances or sickness; he only wanted many people to know and love God. That love made him a tireless missionary.
A lesson for you
- You can be a missionary today: tell your friends about Jesus and invite them to Mass and catechism activities.
- Pray for missionaries working in faraway places.
- When you want lots of things, remember: Jesus is worth more than anything in the world.
Identifying marks
- A cross held high: he carried Jesus crucified all over Asia as he preached.
- A seashell: he used a seashell to pour the water when he baptized a great many people.
- A black cassock, a short white surplice (cotta) and a stole: what a priest wears to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism.
- A sailing ship and a shore lined with coconut palms: he sailed very far to reach India, Malacca and Japan.
- A crab holding a cross (*): according to tradition, he dropped his cross into the sea, and a crab brought it back to him.
(*) Only in some pictures and statues.
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