Patron and Model of the Xaverian Missionaries

Saint Francis Xavier

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St. Francis Xavier, SJ
Painting by A. Costalonga

Saint Guido Maria Conforti sent the Xaverian Missionaries to China, where their Model and Patron, Saint Francis Xavier, had hoped to arrive. St. Francis Xavier was born in Navarre, Spain, on April 7, 1506. At the age of 21, he began his studies at the College of Sainte-Barbe, in Paris, where he met Ignatius of Loyola. In March 1530, Francis received his MA in Philosophy.

Ignatius changed Francis' goal in life with the question of the Gospel "What profit is it, if you gain the whole world, and lose your soul?" Together with six friends, Francis professed religious vows at Montmartre, Paris, starting the Jesuit community. After some studies of theology, Francis was ordained priest in Rome on June 24, 1537.

Ignatius of Loyola assigned Francis to work in India, and on May 6 1542, Francis arrived in Goa after a yearlong voyage. From there, Francis Xavier began to work among the poor of South India, Malacca, and the Moluccas Islands (Indonesia). Francis wrote that like a crazy man he could scream in the universities of Europe, that millions upon millions are waiting to hear God's World... and he felt that not one student was willing to say "Here I am, Lord. What do you want me to do?" like Samuel in the Bible.

On August 15, 1549, Francis Xavier arrived in Kagoshima, Japan, where he established the first Christian community. In July 1552, Francis Xavier sailed for China, but he arrived at Sancian Island. He fell seriously ill with a fever, and died in Sancian Island on Dec. 3rd, 1552. Francis Xavier was proclaimed Saint on March 12, 1622, and, together with St. Therese of Lisieux, declared Patron of all Missions, by Pope Pius X in 1904. The Xaverian Missionaries hope to continue his mission call and vocation work by bringing the Gospel of Christ to those who still do not know it.

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