Saint Francis Xavier

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier.
Saint Francis Xavier was born in 1506 in Spain. He went to study in the University of Paris and there he met Saint Ignatius of Loyola and his four companions and he was immediately drawn to join with them and together they formed the Society of Jesus and became a Jesuit.
In the year 1541 Saint Francis and five others were sent by the King of Portugal to preach the Gospel in Goa, India. Through his preaching the entire city of Goa came to believe in Jesus Christ and were baptized. His followers continued his mission in India and the Jesuits have become the main cause for the spread of Christianity not just in Goa but all of India even to this day. The Jesuits played an important role in my formation and that of my family members for many generations. My brother, father, grandparents and many cousins and uncles were all educated by Jesuits in the Southern part of India. My own spiritual director in India from the age of 18 to 25 was a Jesuit priest, Fr. Francis Rebello.
Saint Francis Xavier also preached in many other parts of Asia including Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. On his way to China he became ill and died at sea on December 2, 1552.
Saint Francis Xavier patron of missions please pray for us to have your zeal for evangelization!​