St. Francis Xavier
Adapted from the New Advent Catholic Website
Born near Sanguesa, in Navarre, in 1506, and died on the island of Sancian, near the coast of China, in 1552. The son of an aristocratic family, Xavier went to Paris, in 1525, to continue his studies. In Paris he met Ignatius Layola, who was already planning the foundation of the Society of Jesus. At Montmartre in 1534, Layola, Xavier and five others made a vow to preach the gospel in non-Christian areas of the world. Xavier left Paris with his companions in 1536 and went to Venice. In 1537 he was ordained to the priesthood and in 1539, in Rome, Xavier took part in the conferences which Layola held with his companions to prepare for the definitive foundation of the Society of Jesus. In 1540, Xavier was appointed to evangelise the people of the Far East and in 1541, he left for India. After a long and dangerous voyage he landed at Goa in 1542. After working for seven years in Goa, Travancore, Malacca and in the Molucca Islands, Xavier left for Japan in 1549 where he worked for two and a half years. During this decade he converted tens of thousands to Christianity. He returned to Goa and was there only for a few months before departing for China. In the autumn of 1552 he arrived on the island of Sancian near the coast of China, but he was taken ill and died there. Because of his zeal and success as a missionary, he is considered the patron saint of the Orient and of missionaries. He was canonised in 1622.
Born near Sanguesa, in Navarre, in 1506, and died on the island of Sancian, near the coast of China, in 1552. The son of an aristocratic family, Xavier went to Paris, in 1525, to continue his studies. In Paris he met Ignatius Layola, who was already planning the foundation of the Society of Jesus. At Montmartre in 1534, Layola, Xavier and five others made a vow to preach the gospel in non-Christian areas of the world. Xavier left Paris with his companions in 1536 and went to Venice. In 1537 he was ordained to the priesthood and in 1539, in Rome, Xavier took part in the conferences which Layola held with his companions to prepare for the definitive foundation of the Society of Jesus. In 1540, Xavier was appointed to evangelise the people of the Far East and in 1541, he left for India. After a long and dangerous voyage he landed at Goa in 1542. After working for seven years in Goa, Travancore, Malacca and in the Molucca Islands, Xavier left for Japan in 1549 where he worked for two and a half years. During this decade he converted tens of thousands to Christianity. He returned to Goa and was there only for a few months before departing for China. In the autumn of 1552 he arrived on the island of Sancian near the coast of China, but he was taken ill and died there. Because of his zeal and success as a missionary, he is considered the patron saint of the Orient and of missionaries. He was canonised in 1622.