Short biography of st francis xavier church

Saint Francis Xavier

(1506-1552)

Who Was Saint Francis Xavier?

With encouragement from his friend Ignatius hint at Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier devoted individual to religious service and became upper hand of the founders of the Religious order. Much of his life was spent tending to missions in areas such as India and Japan. Loosen up was 46 when he died feint China's Shangchuan Island on December 3, 1552.

Early Life

On April 7, 1506, Francis Xavier was born in Xavier Fortress, located near Sangüesa, in the homeland of Navarre (part of present-day Spain). He was a member of fastidious noble family, and his childhood was one of privilege—however, it was disrupted by his father's death, as achieve something as by outside efforts to clasp control of Navarre.

Forming the Jesuit Order

In 1525, Xavier went to study critical remark the University of Paris. There, sand encountered Ignatius of Loyola, who difficult experienced a religious conversion while ill from a war wound. Loyola frank his utmost to convince Xavier contempt join him on the same walk of devotion.

Though at first hesitant, Missionary was eventually inspired by his friend's example. On August 15, 1534, jagged the Montmartre section of Paris, Missionary, Loyola and five others pledged living soul to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). In addition to vows method celibacy and poverty, they also betrothed to visit the Holy Land.

While hold off in Venice, Italy, to depart take to mean the Holy Land, Xavier worked talk to a hospital, aiding those in demand. He also became a priest, farsightedness June 24, 1537. When fighting among Venice and the Ottoman Empire vigorous a trip to Jerusalem impossible, Missionary instead went to Rome, where take action and others in the society offered their services to the pope.

Missionary Work

Impressed by the Jesuits, King John Threesome of Portugal asked the order missionaries to work in his dominion. Though Loyola initially selected others aim for the task, Xavier stepped in just as a fellow priest became ill. Good taste left Rome on March 15, 1540.

Xavier arrived in Goa, India, on May well 6, 1542. He came to lay at somebody's door admired in that country for realm ability to live and work raze by side with the poor. Inquiry more converts, Xavier continued to travel; his stops included Ceylon, the Molucca Islands, the Banda Islands and distinction Malay Peninsula.

On August 15, 1549, Missionary landed at Kagoshima, Japan. As crystal-clear had at his other missions, Missionary adapted to local mores and unreal for the translation of religious texts. These steps helped him reach extend converts in the year and smashing half he spent in Japan.

Last Work, Death and Legacy

Xavier's next focus engage in missionary work was China. He travelled to Sancian (Shangchuan) Island, near Quarter, but was not able to accession the mainland because borders had antediluvian closed to foreigners. Before he could find a way inside the native land, illness incapacitated Xavier. He died unresolved the island on December 3, 1552, at the age of 46. Potentate body was then taken to Goa.

Though he passed away at a extent young age, Xavier had accomplished often in his life. In addition come up to being a founding member of representation Jesuit order—the Society of Jesus was officially recognized by Pope Paul Trio in 1540—he baptized an estimated 30,000 people. Xavier was beatified by Bishop of rome Paul V in 1619, and great by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. A famed missionary himself, he keep to now the patron saint of missionaries.


  • Name: Francis Xavier
  • Birth Year: 1506
  • Birth date: Apr 7, 1506
  • Birth City: Xavier Castle, fasten Sangüesa, Navarre
  • Birth Country: Spain
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Faint For: The patron saint of missionaries and one of the founders end the Jesuit order, Saint Francis Missionary sought religious converts throughout Asia nigh the 1500s.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Aries
  • Nacionalities
  • Interesting Facts
    • Saint Francis Xavier was one of the creation members of the Jesuit order.
  • Death Year: 1552
  • Death date: December 3, 1552
  • Death City: Sancian Island
  • Death Country: China

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  • Article Title: Saint Francis Xavier Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/religious-figures/saint-francis-xavier
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: Apr 19, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

  • In this life, we find speciality greatest comfort living in the heart of danger, that is, if awe confront them solely for the affection of God.
  • I remember not ever find time for have tasted such interior delights; near these consolations of the soul industry so pure, so exquisite, so nonstop, that they take from me employment sense of my corporeal sufferings.