Origins
The Church, which in its essence is missionary, had a great impulse from the Holy Spirit to evangelize America and the East in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the East, Saint Francis Xavier stood out with a holiness that led him to boldly found several missions, to the point of being known as “Saint Paul of the East”. Francisco Xavier was born in Xavier’s Castle, in Navarre, northern Spain, on April 7, 1506. From a noble family, his father was president of the Royal Council of Navarre.
The Conversion by Ignatius of Loyola
In 1525, at the age of eighteen, he went to Paris to dedicate himself to university studies. In the year 1530, he became “Magister Artium”, ready for an academic career. Vain and ambitious, he sought glory for himself until he met Ignatius of Loyola, who also studied at the Colégio de Santa Bárbara. Their relationship was complicated at first, so much so that Inácio himself defined Francisco as “the most difficult piece of dough he kneaded”. With time and Ignatius’ intercession, Francis’s heart gave in to the love of Jesus, until he entered the true process of conversion. The result is seen in the fact that he became a co-founder of the Society of Jesus, founded in 1539.
The First Match
Already a priest and committed to the path of holiness, Saint Francis Xavier was assigned to go on a mission to the East. He was the first Jesuit who left Lisbon for the missions in the Indies on April 7, 1541. He carried out a fruitful work of evangelization that covered all classes and ages.
Saint Francis Xavier: Universal Patron of Missions
From Portugal to India
The trip from Lisbon to Goa (Indian State) lasted approximately thirteen months; a tiring journey due to lack of food, intense heat and storms. He arrived in Goa in 1542, choosing the city hospital as his home; His bed was next to patients in serious condition. His ministry, from that moment on, was to dedicate himself to assisting those excluded from society. When teaching children, he adopted a new method, teaching the Catechism with the help of a bell, which he rang throughout the streets, in order to gather children in church. He translated the principles of Catholic Doctrine into verses and, to facilitate learning, he sang them.
Launched into the world
Between the years 1545 and 1547, Francisco managed to advance to other regions. He arrived in Malacca, the Moluccas archipelago, and the Moro Islands, without worrying about any danger, as he trusted in God.
The desire to evangelize Japan
In the year 1547, his life took a turn for the worse, he encountered Hanjiro, a Japanese fugitive, eager to convert to Christianity. This meeting ignited in his heart the desire to proclaim the Gospel to the land of the “rising sun”. He arrived in Japan in 1549, although he knew of the death penalty for anyone administering the sacrament of Baptism, he submitted to learning the language and its customs in order to announce an incarnate Christ.
The end of a life dedicated to missions
Mission in China
Seeking China for Christ, Francis saw the country as a new land of mission. In 1552, he arrived at the island of Shangchuan, where he attempted to embark for the city of Canton, but was stricken with a severe fever and fatigue.
Easter
He died on December 3, 1552. Two years after his death, his intact body was transferred to the church of Bom Jesus in Goa, India, where he is venerated.
This great missionary saint entered Heaven at the age of 46 and traveled great distances to proclaim the Gospel. His mission was grand, if we put his travels in a line, we would circle the Earth three times.
Saint Francis Xavier, with ten years of apostolate, deservedly became the Universal Patron of the Missions alongside Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in 1927.
Way of Sanctification
He was beatified in 1619 by Paul V and canonized in 1622 by Gregory XV. His thoughts can be summarized in a prayer he always prayed: “Lord, I love you, not because you can give me heaven or condemn me to hell, but because you are my God! I love you because you are you”!
My prayer
“Great herald of the Gospel, announcer and propagator of the Word to those who need it most, we ask you to lead the Church where there is still no evangelization. And to the preachers and missionaries, give health and wisdom to live their vocation. May each of us have this power of inculturation, so that Christ is loved in every corner of the world. Amen”
Saint Francis Xavier, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on December 3
- Celebration of Saint Zephaniahprophet in the days of Josiah, king of Judah.
- In Tangier, Mauritania, currently in Morocco, São Cassianmartyr. († c. 300)
- In Winchester, England, the burial of Saint Birinothe first Bishop of Dorchester. († c. 650)
- In Chur, a city in Récia, in Helvetia, today Switzerland, Saint Pikehermit. († s. VI/VII)
- In London, England, Blessed Edward Colemanmartyr. († 1678)
- In Trento, in the Veneto region, in Italy, Blessed João Nepomuceno De Tschiderer. († 1860)
- In Paracuellos del Jarama, a town near Madrid, in Spain, the blessed Francisco Fernández Escosura It is Manuel Santiago Santiagoreligious of the Order of Preachers and martyrs. († 1936)
- In Linares, near Jaén, in the Andalusia region of Spain, Blessed Manuel Lozano Garrido faithful layman, who knew how to radiate with his example and writings the love of God and the greatness of his soul. († 1971)
Source:
- Roman Martyrology
- Vaticannews.va
- Vatican.va
– Production and editing: Melody de Paulo
– Prayer: Rafael Vitto – Community