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Galeria extensa de gravuras, pinturas e iconografias históricas de São Francisco Xavier, incluindo quadro setecentista da Escola Japonesa Kano, representações como pregador com crucifixo e cenas de sonhos missionários.

Saint Francis Xavier - Jesuit Priest and Missionary to the Indies in 1552

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was a Navarrese Jesuit priest, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, and one of the greatest missionaries in Christian history. In 1552, he was preparing to evangelize China, but died on the island of Shangchuan from fever after baptizing tens of thousands in the East.

Life and Formation

Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta, known as Francis Xavier, was born on 7 April 1506 in Xavier Castle, in the Kingdom of Navarre, Spain. Coming from a noble family, he received a privileged education and studied at the University of Paris, where he became a master of arts. There he met Saint Ignatius of Loyola, with whom he founded the Society of Jesus in 1534. Ordained a priest in 1537, he stood out as a preacher in Bologna, comforting the sick and prisoners, despite rigorous penances that affected his health.

Call to the East

In 1540, at the request of the Portuguese king Dom John III, Ignatius of Loyola sent Francis as papal legate to the East Indies. He left Lisbon on 7 April 1541, at the age of 35, aboard the ship Santiago, with the Portuguese viceroy. The journey lasted 13 months, reaching Goa on 6 May 1542. Along the way, he served humbly as a kitchen assistant, cleaner, and nurse.

Ministry and Missionary Work

In Goa, Francis reformed the college of Saint Paul and began his apostolate among immoral settlers, the sick, prisoners, and slaves, earning the title of “Holy Father.” He used a bell to gather children along the roads, teaching catechism and songs. In 1543, he evangelized the Fishery Coast in southern India, baptizing Paravas, fishermen superficially converted by the Portuguese.

Expansion Across the East

Between 1545 and 1547, he preached in Malacca and the Moluccas, including Ternate and Morotai, baptizing thousands and founding Christian communities. Known as the “Apostle of the Indies,” his work resulted in 50,000 to 60,000 Catholics in the Moluccas by 1590. In 1549, he arrived in Japan, establishing the first Christian mission there. He always dreamed of China, which was forbidden to foreigners.

Final Journey in 1552

On 14 April 1552, he left Goa for China, arriving on Shangchuan Island in August. He was negotiating with a Chinese merchant to enter clandestinely when violent fevers struck him. He died on 3 December 1552, at the age of 46, alone with a few companions, without fulfilling his Chinese dream. He had baptized more than 80,000 people in 10 years of arduous missions.

“I would do anything for the love of God.” (Attributed to Saint Francis Xavier, reflecting his missionary zeal)

Legacy

Beatified in 1619 by Paul V and canonized in 1622 by Gregory XV, Francis is the patron of world missions, compared to Saint Paul of the East. His life inspired generations of Jesuit missionaries, inaugurating Catholicism in the Far East.

  • Founder of permanent missions in India, the Moluccas, and Japan.
  • Model of zealous apostolate and humility.
  • Influenced Portuguese and Christian expansion in Asia.

Birth

Date: 7 April 1506
Place: Xavier, Kingdom of Navarre (present-day Spain)

Death

Date: 3 December 1552
Place: Shangchuan Island (Shangchuan), China

Liturgical Feast

3 December

Patronage

  • Catholic missions
  • East Indies
  • Japan
  • Navarre

Recommended Books

To deepen your knowledge about this person, we recommend:

  • Life of Saint Francis Xavier - João de Lucena (1600)
    Classic contemporary biography, based on direct testimonies, essential for authentic details of his mission.

Sources and References

This article was prepared based on the following sources: