Francis Xavier
Saint Francis Xavier | |
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A painting of Saint Francis Xavier, held in the Kobe City Museum, Japan | |
| Born | Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta 7 April 1506 Xavier, Kingdom of Navarre, in today's Spain |
| Died | 3 December 1552 (aged 46) Shangchuan Island, Chuanshan Archipelago, Xinning, China |
| Venerated in | |
| Beatified | 25 October 1619, Rome, Papal States, by Pope Paul V |
| Canonized | 12 March 1622, Rome, Papal States, by Pope Gregory XV |
| Feast | 3 December |
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| Styles of Francis Xavier | |
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| Reference style | The Reverend Father |
| Spoken style | Father |
| Posthumous style | Saint |
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Francis Xavier, (born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta; Latin: Franciscus Xaverius; Basque: Xabierkoa; French: François Xavier; Spanish: Francisco Javier; Portuguese: Francisco Xavier; 7 April 1506 – 3 December 1552), venerated as Saint Francis Xavier, was a Spanish Navarrese[a] cleric and missionary. He co-founded the Society of Jesus and, as a representative of the Portuguese Empire, led the first Christian mission to Japan.[8][9]
Born in the town of Xavier, Kingdom of Navarre (in today's Spain), he was a companion of Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who took vows of poverty and chastity at Montmartre, Paris in 1534.[10] He led extensive missionary work across Asia, primarily within the Portuguese Empire in the East, and played a significant role in the evangelization of early modern India, particularly through his activities in Portuguese India. In 1546, Francis Xavier wrote to King John III of Portugal proposing measures to strengthen the Christian faith in Goa. Some historians interpret this letter as a request for the establishment of the Goan Inquisition,[11][12] while others contend that he instead called for the appointment of a special minister dedicated solely to promoting Christianity in Goa.[13][14]
As a representative of the King of Portugal, he was the first major Christian missionary to venture into Borneo, the Maluku Islands, Japan, and other areas. In those areas, struggling to learn the local languages and in the face of opposition, he had less success than he had enjoyed in India. Xavier also extended his mission to Ming China, where he died on Shangchuan Island.
He was beatified by Pope Paul V on 25 October 1619 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV on 12 March 1622. In 1624, he was made co-patron of Navarre. Known as the "Apostle of the Indies", "Apostle of the Far East", "Apostle of China" and "Apostle of Japan", he is considered to be one of the greatest missionaries since Paul the Apostle.[15] In 1927, Pope Pius XI published the decree Apostolicorum in Missionibus naming Francis Xavier, along with Thérèse of Lisieux, co-patron of all foreign missions.[16] He is now co-patron saint of Navarre, along with Saint Fermin. The "Day of Navarre" marks the anniversary of Francis Xavier's death, on 3 December.
- ^ "Holy Men and Holy Women" (PDF). Churchofengland.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 September 2012.
- ^ "Notable Lutheran Saints". Resurrectionpeople.org. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Saint Francis Xavier". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Who is Francis Xavier?". Xavier University. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "General Audience – The apostolic zeal of the believer: Witnesses – Saint Francis Xavier". The Holy See. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Saint Francis Xavier SJ (1506–1552)". Wimbledon College. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Introduction to St. Francis Xavier". Bom Jesus of Goa – St Francis Xavier Official. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Saint Francis Xavier". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "Who is Francis Xavier?". Xavier University. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ Attwater 1965, p. 141.
- ^ Neill 2004, p. 160: "By another route I have written to your highness of the great need there is in India for preachers... The second necessity which obtains in India, if those who live there are to be good Christians, is that your highness should institute the holy Inquisition; for there are many who live according to the law of Moses or the law of Muhammad without any fear of God or shame before men".
- ^ Rao 1963, p. 43.
- ^ Coleridge 1872, p. 268.
- ^ Neill 2004, pp. 160–161: [Let the king warn the governor that] "should he fail to take active steps for the great increase of our faith, you are determined to punish him, and inform him with a solemn oath that, on his return to Portugal, all his property will be forfeited for the benefit of the Santa Misericordia, and beyond this tell him that you will keep him in irons for a number of years... There is no better way of ensuring that all in India become Christians than that your highness should inflict severe punishment on a governor".
- ^ De Rosa 2006, p. 90.
- ^ Pope Pius XI (14 December 1927). "Apostolicorum in Missionibus". Papal Encyclicals Online. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
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