Francis Xavier was born in 1506 in the Kingdom of Navarre and, while studying in Paris, became one of the small original group of companions who joined Ignatius of Loyola in founding the Society of Jesus in 1540. At the request of the King of Portugal, he set sail for the East the following year, beginning over a decade of missionary work across Portuguese India, the Malay Peninsula, the Moluccas, and Japan.
He is credited with converting tens of thousands of people and adapting his methods to different cultures and languages as he traveled, becoming the first Christian missionary to preach in Japan. He died in 1552 on an island off the coast of China, still hoping to gain entry to the mainland, and was canonized in 1622 alongside Ignatius of Loyola.
Saint Francis Xavier
Patron of Missions
A Spanish co-founder of the Jesuits who became one of history's most far-traveled missionaries, preaching across India, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
- Born
- 1506
- Died
- 1552
- Birthplace
- Xavier Castle, Kingdom of Navarre (in modern Spain)
- Died in
- Shangchuan Island, China
- Country
- Spain
- Canonised
- 1622-03-12
- Century
- 16th century
Categories
Why People Pray to Saint Francis Xavier
Saint Francis Xavier is invoked by missionaries and by those discerning a call to serve far from home.
