Francis Xavier

Lore & Background

Francis Xavier was born in the Castle of Xavier, Kingdom of Navarre, on 7 April 1506 into an influential noble family. He studied at the Collège Sainte-Barbe, University of Paris, where he shared lodgings with Pierre Favre and later Ignatius of Loyola. Initially resistant to Ignatius's influence, Francis eventually joined Ignatius and five others in making private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Pope on 15 August 1534 at Montmartre, Paris, forming the core of what became the Society of Jesus. He was ordained on 24 June 1537.

In 1540, King John III of Portugal requested Jesuit missionaries for India. Ignatius of Loyola appointed Nicholas Bobadilla, but when Bobadilla fell ill, Ignatius asked Francis to go in his place. Francis left Rome on 15 March 1540, reached Lisbon in June 1540, and departed for India on 7 April 1541. He arrived in Goa on 6 May 1542. His primary mission was to restore Christianity among Portuguese settlers. He later led extensive missionary work across Asia, including in the Maluku Islands, Japan, and other areas, and died on Shangchuan Island while attempting to enter Ming China.

Reader's Guide

Francis Xavier's significance lies in his role as a pioneering Jesuit missionary who expanded Christian missions into Asia under the Portuguese Empire. He co-founded the Society of Jesus, which became a major force in the Counter-Reformation and global evangelization. His work in India, particularly in Portuguese India, established a foundation for later missions. In 1546, he wrote to King John III of Portugal proposing measures to strengthen Christianity in Goa; some historians interpret this as a request for the Goan Inquisition, while others contend he called for a special minister for promoting Christianity. His missions to Japan, Borneo, and the Maluku Islands, though less successful than in India due to language barriers and opposition, opened new fields for Jesuit activity. He was beatified in 1619, canonized in 1622, and in 1927 named co-patron of all foreign missions along with Thérèse of Lisieux. The 'Day of Navarre' marks the anniversary of his death on 3 December.

Did You Know?

• Francis Xavier was born in the Castle of Xavier in the Kingdom of Navarre on 7 April 1506.
• He co-founded the Society of Jesus with Ignatius of Loyola and five others at Montmartre, Paris in 1534.
• He led the first Christian mission to Japan as a representative of the Portuguese Empire.
• His letter to King John III of Portugal in 1546 is interpreted by some as a request for the establishment of the Goan Inquisition.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Neill, S. (2004). A history of Christianity in India: The beginning to AD 1707. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press." — Francis Xavier "Neill, S. (2004). A history of Christianity in India: The beginning to AD 1707. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press." — Francis Xavier "Neill, S. (2004). A history of Christianity in India: The beginning to AD 1707. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press." — Francis Xavier "Letter dated February 8, 1545, to the Society of Jesus. Quoted from Goel, S. R. (1985). St. Francis Xavier: The man and his mission." — Francis Xavier