St. Francis Xavier
Born in Navarre April 7, 1506, St. Frances Xavier died on the Island of Sancian near the coast of China December 3, 1552. He was one of the first members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). St. Ignatius sent him to evangelize India in 1541. He lived out his life bringing the gospel to the peoples of India and Japan. It is truly amazing that one man in the short span of ten years (May 6, 1542 – December 3, 1552) could have visited so many countries, crossed so many seas, preached the Gospel to so many nations, and moved so many people to embrace the Gospel. His zeal for proclaiming the Word has never been matched. Considered the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles, he was an attractive model for the missionary zeal displayed by Anne-Marie Javouhey and her daughters. Francis Xavier was canonized with St. Ignatius on. The Church celebrates his life on December 3.
See Saint of the Day, Vatican News: St. Francis Xavier, Jesuit, Apostle of the Indies, Patron of the Missions
