Saint Francis Xavier
Feast day: December 3
Jesuit missionary, apostle of the Indies and the East — patron of missions.
Francis was born in the Spanish Basque Country in 1506. He studied in Paris, where he met St. Ignatius of Loyola and became one of the first Jesuits.
In 1541 he sailed for India at Portugal's king's request, evangelizing Goa, Malabar, and the islands of the East.
He baptized thousands of converts, founded schools and churches, and reached Japan in 1549 — the first European missionary to proclaim the Gospel there.
He planned to enter China when he fell ill on Sancian Island, dying on December 3, 1552, at only forty-six.
His incorrupt body rests in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, a destination for pilgrims worldwide.
He was canonized in 1622 with St. Ignatius. His liturgical feast is December 3. He is patron of missions and of Asia.
Dedicated prayer
To the apostle of the Indies and the East, we ask missionary zeal and courage in evangelization.
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