Saint Francis Xavier, missionary
Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023 (vatican.va)
Francis Xavier, a young man from Navarre, met Ignatius of Loyola in Paris and became a Jesuit. He brought the Gospel to India, to the Molucca Islands and to Japan, and he died at the gates of China. He is the patron saint of the missions. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023 (vatican.va)
The story, in plain words
Francis Xavier was born in Navarre, in northern Spain, in 1506. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
He went to study in Paris. There he met Ignatius of Loyola, who gave him the Spiritual Exercises and changed his life. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
With Ignatius and other friends he formed the Society of Jesus. Its members are called Jesuits. Pope Francis, general audience of May 17, 2023
He became a priest and was sent to proclaim the Gospel in India. He arrived in Goa on May 6, 1542. Catholic Encyclopedia, “St. Francis Xavier” He walked through the…
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See the mapTo talk about together
- Francis Xavier left his homeland so that others could know Jesus. What do you think drove him to keep going farther?
- He spent more than three and a half years on ships, far from everything. What would have been hardest for you about a life like that?
- For the child: If you had a little bell to call your friends, what would you tell them about Jesus?