St. Francis Xavier (1506 - 1552)

Patron of Foreign Missions. Apostle to India and Japan. Francis was born in the Basque region of Spain. He came from a wealthy and influential family. While studying in Paris he met a fellow Spaniard, Ignatius Loyola. At first Francis mocked Ignatius for having turned away from his privileged life, but eventually Francis joined Ignatius becoming one of the first members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Francis was sent to the East Indies as a missionary, He preached in India, Goa, Ceylon, Malacca and Japan making many converts wherever he went. Francis dreamed of going to China to preach the Gospel. On his way to China Francis contracted a fever and was set ashore by the frightened sailors. A poor fisherman found Francis on the shore and took him to his hut where Francis died shortly after. The saint's uncorrupted body was returned to Goa where he is still uncorrupted body lies in the Church of the Good Jesus. Francis is considered to be one of the greatest Christian missionaries. He was canonized in 1602.