Saint Francis Xavier
the one with the little bell
Who was Saint Francis Xavier?
- He was born in Navarre, in northern Spain, in 1506. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- With Ignatius of Loyola and other friends, he founded the Society of Jesus: the Jesuits. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- He proclaimed the Gospel in India, in the Moluccas, and in Japan. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- The name
- “Xavier” is the name of the castle in Navarre where he was born. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
- Also called
- Xavier Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- From
- From the Castle of Xavier, near Sangüesa, in Navarre (Spain) Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
- Occupation
- Jesuit priest and missionary Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- Feast day
- December 3: Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
The path of Saint Francis Xavier
- Before Jesus. He was born on April 7, 1506, at the Castle of Xavier, in Navarre. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”; Benedict XVI, letter of March 3, 2006
- Before Jesus. In 1525 he went to study in Paris. There he met Ignatius of Loyola. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
- Before Jesus. Ignatius gave him the Spiritual Exercises, and they changed his life. He became a Jesuit and a priest. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- With Jesus. At the request of the King of Portugal, Xavier was sent to the East. He reached Goa, India, on May 6, 1542. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
- With Jesus. He walked the streets ringing a small bell. Then he taught the catechism to the children in a church. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
- With Jesus. In the Moluccas he taught people to sing the catechism. In 1549 he reached Japan and learned the language. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023; Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
- With Jesus. He wanted to enter China, but he fell ill on the island of Shangchuan. He died there in December 1552. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”; Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- Afterward. He was canonized in 1622. In 1927, Pius XI named him patron of the missions. Paul VI, homily of September 27, 1970; John Paul II, apostolic letter Divini Amoris Scientia 2
Words of Saint Francis Xavier
“The dangers and sufferings, accepted voluntarily and solely for the love and service of God our Lord, are rich treasures of great spiritual consolations.” Letter of January 20, 1548, quoted by Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
In a letter from the East, in 1548.
“Here, within a few years, one could lose one’s eyes from too many tears of joy!” Letter of January 20, 1548, quoted by Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
In the same letter, seeing the fruits of the mission.
What they were like
- He came from a noble family that had become poor. Pope Francis describes him as young, intelligent and capable. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- He never gave up prayer, even with so much work. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- He was always with those most in need: the poor, the sick and children. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
The greatest thing they did
- In about eleven years he preached the Gospel in India, the Moluccas and Japan. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- He reached Japan, where no European missionary had gone before. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
Not to be confused with
- He is a different saint. Francis Xavier was born in Navarre in 1506 and was a Jesuit. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
- Ignatius was his friend and gave him the Spiritual Exercises. With others, the two of them formed the Society of Jesus. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
In the Church today
Feast day: December 3, Saint Francis Xavier, Priest (memorial). General Roman Calendar; the date: John Paul II, homily of December 3, 1978, no. 8
Patron of: Of the missions, together with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (Pius XI, December 14, 1927) John Paul II, apostolic letter Divini Amoris Scientia 2; Of Navarre Benedict XVI, letter of March 3, 2006
In art, recognized by: A small hand bell, which he rang to call the children Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”; The black Jesuit cassock and a crucifix This is how Christian art shows him
What people ask
Why is he called Xavier?
After the Castle of Xavier, in Navarre, where he was born. Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
Did he reach China?
No. He died on the island of Shangchuan, off the coast of China, waiting for a way in. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
How long was he a missionary?
About eleven years. He spent more than three and a half of them on ships. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
Why is he patron of the missions?
Pius XI named him patron of the missions in 1927, together with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. John Paul II, apostolic letter Divini Amoris Scientia 2
Where is his body?
In Goa, India. So says the Catholic Encyclopedia (1909). Catholic Encyclopedia (1909), “St. Francis Xavier”
Little known He spent more than three and a half years on ships: a third of his mission. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023 He learned about Japan…
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See the mapWho Saint Francis Xavier is connected to
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux · patrons of the missions
- Saint Teresa of Avila · canonized on the same day
- Jesus · proclaimed him in Asia
More people
All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible