St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Considered by many to be the greatest missionary since Saint Paul, Francis Xavier was born in Spain. While he was studying at the University of Paris, he met St. Ignatius Loyola and became one of his earliest followers. Ordained in 1537, Xavier was one of the first seven Jesuits. After ordination, he served for a brief period in Rome. In 1541 he departed for India as the Jesuits’ first foreign missionary. He landed in Goa and immediately began to learn the language, preach, minister to the sick, and compose a catechism. His success there was most notable. Multitudes flocked to hear him, and he won many converts to the faith. He also faced many hardships. He had less success with the Brahman sect and a years’ worth of work among them resulted in only one convert. In 1549 he set sail for Japan. Within three years, the Christian community numbered some two thousand and was growing rapidly. He then set his sights on China. He arranged passage there on a merchant ship in August of 1552, but he never got there. He died on December 3, 1552. He was beatified in 1619 and canonized in 1622. In 1748 he was named the Patron Saint of the Orient. In 1904 he was declared the patron saint for the Propagation of the Faith and in 1927 named the patron of missions (along with St. Therese of Lisieux).
(From the St. Francis Xavier parish website)