The Life and Legacy of St. Francis Xavier – Apostle of Asia

St. Francis Xavier (April 7, 1506 – December 3, 1552) was a Spanish Basque Catholic missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order). He is the patron saint of Catholic missions, and one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church.

Early Life and Call to Mission

Born into a noble family in the Kingdom of Navarre, Francis Xavier studied at the University of Paris where he met Ignatius of Loyola. Initially dismissive, he was eventually won over by Ignatius's spiritual guidance. Together with six other students, they took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in 1534 — the founding act of the Society of Jesus.

When King John III of Portugal requested missionaries for the Portuguese territories in Asia, Ignatius sent Francis Xavier. This would prove to be the defining journey of his life. He departed from Lisbon in April 1541, and arrived in Goa in May 1542 — beginning one of the most remarkable missionary journeys in Church history.

Missionary Work Across Asia

From Goa, Xavier traveled to India, Sri Lanka, Malacca (Malaysia), the Molucca Islands (Indonesia), and Japan. In each place, he baptized thousands, established communities of faith, and left behind a transformed spiritual landscape. He is said to have baptized as many as 30,000 people during his decade of missionary work.

In India, he worked particularly among the Paravas fisher communities along the southern coast, teaching the faith, caring for the sick, and challenging the colonial exploitation of indigenous peoples. He wrote simple catechetical texts in local languages so that new converts could pray and understand the faith.

"It is impossible to find in the whole world greater devotion and zeal for the Faith than here in Japan. They are a people of very good will, very sociable and very desirous of knowledge."

— St. Francis Xavier, Letters from Japan, 1549

Death and Legacy

Francis Xavier died on the island of Sancian (Shangchuan), off the coast of China, on December 3, 1552, waiting for passage to begin his planned mission to mainland China. He was just 46 years old. His body was preserved with lime and later brought to Goa, where it rests today in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

His body has been observed to be largely incorrupt — a sign venerated by millions as miraculous. The relics are exposed for public veneration once every ten years, drawing millions of pilgrims from across the world.

Francis Xavier was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622, alongside St. Ignatius of Loyola. Pope Pius XI declared him co-patron of the missions along with St. Thérèse of Lisieux. He is the patron saint of India, Japan, Navarre, Goa, and all Catholic missions.