St. Francis Xavier the patron of the parish
Synopsis
Saint Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506, in a castle near Sangüesa in Navarre, (present-day part of Spain). Influenced and inspired by his friend Ignatius of Loyola, Xavier devoted himself to religious service and became one of the founders of the Jesuit order—the Society of Jesus. Much of his life was spent tending to missions in areas such as India and Japan. He was 46 when he died on China’s Shangchuan Island on December 3, 1552.
Saint Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506, in a castle near Sangüesa in Navarre, (present-day part of Spain). Influenced and inspired by his friend Ignatius of Loyola, Xavier devoted himself to religious service and became one of the founders of the Jesuit order—the Society of Jesus. Much of his life was spent tending to missions in areas such as India and Japan. He was 46 when he died on China’s Shangchuan Island on December 3, 1552.
Early Life
Xavier was born in the family castle in the Basque region of northern Spain, the fifth and youngest child of noble, wealthy, and pious parents. His childhood was one of privilege—however, it was disrupted by his father’s death when he was only 6 years old, as well as by outside efforts to take control of Navarre.
At the age of nineteen years, and after completing the preliminary course of studies, he left home permanently, bound for the University of Paris. By thirty years of age, he had earned a Master of Arts degree in philosophy, taught the subject for four years and then studied theology for two years.
Forming the Jesuit Order
Forming the Jesuit Order
While studying at the university in 1525, Ignatius Loyola, who was a fellow student, became an increasingly important influence on Xavier. So much so that, despite early reluctance, Xavier eventually made the Spiritual Exercises (guided prayers and reflections) under his direction.
On August 15, 1534, in Montmartre, Xavier, Ignatius of Loyola and five others pledged themselves to the Society of Jesus. In addition to vows of celibacy and poverty, they also promised to visit the Holy Land—Jerusalem. At the time of waiting in Venice, Italy, to depart for the Holy Land, Xavier worked in a hospital, aiding those in need. He also became a priest, on June 24, 1537. When fighting between Venice and the Ottoman Empire made a trip to Jerusalem impossible, Xavier instead went to Rome, where he and others in the Society offered their services to the Pope.
Missionary Work
Impressed by the Jesuits, King John III of Portugal asked the order for missionaries to work in his empire. Though Loyola initially selected others for the task, Xavier stepped in when a fellow priest became ill. He left Rome on March 15, 1541.
Missionary Work
Impressed by the Jesuits, King John III of Portugal asked the order for missionaries to work in his empire. Though Loyola initially selected others for the task, Xavier stepped in when a fellow priest became ill. He left Rome on March 15, 1541.
Xavier arrived in Goa, India, on May 6, 1542. He came to be admired for his ability to live and work side by side with the poor. Seeking more converts, Xavier continued to travel; his stops included Ceylon, the Molucca Islands, the Banda Islands, and the Malay Peninsula. On August 15, 1549, Xavier landed at Kagoshima, Japan to start new missions.
Last Mission and Legacy
Xavier’s next focus for missionary work was China. He traveled to Sancian (Shangchuan) Island, near Canton, but was unable to access the mainland because borders had been closed to foreigners. Before he could find a way inside the country, illness incapacitated Xavier. He died on the island on December 3, 1552, at the age of 46. His body was then taken to Goa. Though he passed away at a relatively young age, Xavier had accomplished much in his life. In addition to being a founding member of the Society of Jesus which was officially recognized by Pope Paul III in 1540. Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1619 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.
Three qualities of Xavier are noteworthy in today’s world: -
Last Mission and Legacy
Xavier’s next focus for missionary work was China. He traveled to Sancian (Shangchuan) Island, near Canton, but was unable to access the mainland because borders had been closed to foreigners. Before he could find a way inside the country, illness incapacitated Xavier. He died on the island on December 3, 1552, at the age of 46. His body was then taken to Goa. Though he passed away at a relatively young age, Xavier had accomplished much in his life. In addition to being a founding member of the Society of Jesus which was officially recognized by Pope Paul III in 1540. Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1619 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.
Three qualities of Xavier are noteworthy in today’s world: -
Enthusiasm
Xavier was known to have conducted his life’s work with great vitality and zeal. Much of the enthusiasm for his missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those that sent him and from the beauty from which he viewed his service. He was helping others by helping them to find God. His unlimited confidence in God freed him from discouragement in the face of obstacles and reverses. This confidence enabled him to travel through life with his sense of joy and enthusiasm. He lived his life with zeal for the Greater Glory of God. He wrote to a fellow Jesuits about his safe arrival after traveling, “In this life, we find our greatest comfort living in the midst of danger, that is, if we confront them solely for the love of God.”
Passion-driven achievement
Xavier set high standards for himself and had ambitious plans for the future. He was a man of quick perception and sound judgment. And while he was fervent, he was known to be so without losing a realistic grasp of the facts. Yet, his goals were not to be “the best” or “first”, but rather to make an impact. He was driven by passion and internal energy. He passionately pursued extra-ordinary yet realistic challenges. What motivated Xavier to set high standards was his drive to help others in a way that he believed was beneficial to all persons on earth. Xavier conducted his work in the spirit of magis; a Latin term meaning “more” and used by Ignatius of Loyola to underscore good character in service to others.
Openness to the influence of others
The third quality of Xavier is how he related to others as well as himself. It goes beyond enthusiasm and passion. Xavier was known to be a charismatic man. He had a “dashing and robust personality” and has been described as “astounding”, “decisive”, “cheerful”, “practical”, “prudent”, and a “keen, ambitious” boy in school. Today, he would be described as a “people person”. He was successful because of his ability to mix easily with persons of various social classes, races, and beliefs. Xavier understood people. He learned the languages and adapted to the situations where he served. Xavier lived the beginning of “inculturation”; he had a deep sense of cross-cultural understanding and appreciated that God’s presence was already present in all cultures, peoples, places, and things. He discovered the variety and beauty of languages, faiths, cultures and living conditions. He began to feel and know God’s work. He was transformed in his understanding of “difference” and “oneness”. While his work had a profound influence on others, he came to recognize that he was equally influenced by the interactions and contacts. As former Superior General Fr. Peter Hans-Kolvenbach, S.J. stated, “When the heart is touch by direct contact, the mind may be challenged to change” (SCU, 2000).
Passion-driven achievement
Xavier set high standards for himself and had ambitious plans for the future. He was a man of quick perception and sound judgment. And while he was fervent, he was known to be so without losing a realistic grasp of the facts. Yet, his goals were not to be “the best” or “first”, but rather to make an impact. He was driven by passion and internal energy. He passionately pursued extra-ordinary yet realistic challenges. What motivated Xavier to set high standards was his drive to help others in a way that he believed was beneficial to all persons on earth. Xavier conducted his work in the spirit of magis; a Latin term meaning “more” and used by Ignatius of Loyola to underscore good character in service to others.
Openness to the influence of others
The third quality of Xavier is how he related to others as well as himself. It goes beyond enthusiasm and passion. Xavier was known to be a charismatic man. He had a “dashing and robust personality” and has been described as “astounding”, “decisive”, “cheerful”, “practical”, “prudent”, and a “keen, ambitious” boy in school. Today, he would be described as a “people person”. He was successful because of his ability to mix easily with persons of various social classes, races, and beliefs. Xavier understood people. He learned the languages and adapted to the situations where he served. Xavier lived the beginning of “inculturation”; he had a deep sense of cross-cultural understanding and appreciated that God’s presence was already present in all cultures, peoples, places, and things. He discovered the variety and beauty of languages, faiths, cultures and living conditions. He began to feel and know God’s work. He was transformed in his understanding of “difference” and “oneness”. While his work had a profound influence on others, he came to recognize that he was equally influenced by the interactions and contacts. As former Superior General Fr. Peter Hans-Kolvenbach, S.J. stated, “When the heart is touch by direct contact, the mind may be challenged to change” (SCU, 2000).
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