St Francis Xavier - Story and Legacy
St. Francis Xavier was born in 1506 in the Navarre region of Spain. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in Xavier Castle near the border of France. Born into a devout family, Xavier displayed a love of learning from a young age. At 17 years old he was sent to the University of Paris, where he studied to acquire a Master of Arts and eventually became a lecturer in Aristotelian philosophy.
During his studies, Xavier shared a room with Ignatius of Loyola, a former soldier who was fifteen years his senior. Filled with a desire to save souls and serve the Church, Loyola inspired Xavier to seek purpose in his life through God. Over the six years they lived together, Loyola convinced Xavier to become a missionary. Together, along with several other men from the university, they formed the Jesuit order. Xavier took vows of poverty, chastity, and service to God through obedience to the Church.
Xavier was ordained as a priest in 1536. In 1540, Pope Paul III asked him to travel to India as a missionary. Xavier was made the apostolic nuncio to the east, giving him permission to establish missions in India, Goa, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan. He travelled on ships with hundreds of passengers, and when scurvy broke out, he tended to the sick, even giving up his own small cabin to house them.
Throughout his missions in Goa, India, and Indonesia, Xavier focused on the well-being of the people he worked with. He recognized that education and health were vital to creating successful Catholic missions. Xavier learned native languages and taught the Gospels through song. He trained local leaders to become priests, understanding the value of indigenous leadership in creating lasting relationships.
Xavier then turned his attention to Japan, a nation that had not yet been reached by any Christian mission. At first, he and his fellow missionaries were turned away by Japanese leaders. Over three years, Xavier adapted to local customs, attire, language, and culture. He used philosophy and discussions on morality to persuade the Japanese people, ultimately leading to the successful establishment of the first Christian mission in Japan.
China was Xaviers next destination, but he was denied entry due to political challenges. After ten years of missionary work, Xaviers health was starting to decline. He fell ill on the island of Shangchuan, just off the coast of China. Xavier spent his final days in prayer, and helped his companions prepare to continue their mission. Xavier passed away in 1552. His body was taken to Goa, where it was enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
During his time as a missionary, Xavier travelled over 45,000 kilometres by boat and land, and he baptised over 30,000 people. His efforts in India, Malaysia, Goa, Indonesia, and Japan established a Christian presence that continues to this day. He was canonized on the 12th of March in 1622 as the patron saint of Catholic missions.