Early Life and Background

Francis Xavier was born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta on April 7, 1506, in the castle of Xavier (Javier), in the Kingdom of Navarre, present-day Spain. His family was of noble Basque origin, and his early years were spent amidst the turbulence of the Navarrese Wars, during which his family suffered loss and exile. Despite these challenges, the Xavier family maintained their faith and standing.

Education and Formation

At the age of 19, Francis Xavier left his war-torn homeland for Paris, enrolling at the prestigious Collège Sainte-Barbe of the University of Paris in 1525. There he distinguished himself academically, earning a Master of Arts in 1530. During these formative years, he shared a room with Peter Faber and Ignatius of Loyola, a pivotal relationship that would shape his destiny. Ignatius, himself a former soldier turned spiritual visionary, recognized Xavier’s potential and persistently encouraged him to channel his talents toward spiritual service.

Spiritual Awakening and the Founding of the Jesuits

On August 15, 1534, in the crypt of Montmartre, Paris, Francis Xavier joined Ignatius of Loyola and five others in taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, forming the core group that would become the Society of Jesus. In 1537, after careful preparation and spiritual discernment, Xavier was ordained a priest in Venice. He devoted himself to preaching, spiritual direction, and hospital service, embodying the Jesuit ideal of “finding God in all things.”

Missionary Calling: The Journey East

Patronage and Papal Commission

In 1540, Pope Paul III formally approved the Society of Jesus. The following year, King John III of Portugal sought missionaries for the East Indies, requesting the Jesuits’ aid in strengthening Christianity in Portuguese territories. When another Jesuit designated for this mission fell ill, Francis Xavier volunteered to take his place.

On March 16, 1540, Francis Xavier set sail from Lisbon, carrying with him a papal brief and deep faith.

Baptizing thousands: Xavier is credited with converting tens of thousands, especially among the Paravas of the southern coast.
Establishing missions: He founded churches and schools, laying the groundwork for future Jesuit missions.
Defending the oppressed: He advocated for the rights of the marginalized and sought to protect converts from exploitation.

India: Arrival and Ministry (1542–1549) - Francis Xavier arrived in Goa, then a Portuguese colony, on May 6, 1542. Over the next seven years, he tirelessly worked among the native peoples of western and southern India. His ministry was marked by:

Malacca, the Moluccas, and Beyond (1545–1549) - Francis Xavier extended his missionary efforts to Malacca (present-day Malaysia) and the fabled Spice Islands (the Moluccas, now part of Indonesia) between 1545 and 1547. In these regions, he braved perilous seas and political intrigue, striving to bring the message of Christianity to island communities.

Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun (1549–1551) - Driven by reports of a receptive culture, Francis Xavier sailed to Japan in 1549, arriving at Kagoshima on August 15. He spent over two years preaching in various provinces, including Hirado and Yamaguchi, and even presented himself at the imperial court in Kyoto. Despite linguistic and cultural barriers, he found converts among the Japanese, planting seeds that would later flourish.

Final Mission: China and Death (1552) - Inspired to bring Christianity to China, Francis Xavier set out from Japan in 1551. He landed on Shangchuan Island, off the southern coast of China, in August 1552. There, as he waited in vain for permission to enter the mainland, he fell gravely ill. Francis Xavier died on December 3, 1552, at the age of 46, in relative isolation but with steadfast faith.

Beatification and Canonization

Francis Xavier’s reputation for sanctity grew rapidly after his death. Miracles were attributed to his intercession, and devotion spread across Europe and Asia. He was beatified by Pope Paul V on October 25, 1619, and canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622, alongside Ignatius of Loyola and St. Teresa of Ávila.

His body, remarkably preserved, was transported to Goa, where it remains in the Basilica of Bom Jesus, drawing countless pilgrims.

Legacy and Impact

Francis Xavier is remembered not only for his extraordinary journeys but for his deep compassion, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity. He learned local customs and languages, adapting his preaching to resonate with diverse peoples. His letters, collected and published, reveal a man of practical wisdom and profound spirituality.

He is credited with baptizing more people than perhaps any other Catholic missionary since the Apostle Paul, estimated in the hundreds of thousands. The educational and social institutions he inspired continue to serve worldwide.

Saint Francis Xavier Pray for us!