Francis Xavier
Born in the Castle of Xavier near Sanguesa, in Navarre, 7 April, 1506;
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Francis Xavier”
Patronages on this page:
Patronages
According to Catholic tradition, as recorded in the sources cited for each patronage:
East Indies
by which St. Francis Xavier is honoured with the title of patron and protector of all the countries in the East Indies.
Recorded as patron of East Indies in:
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1812, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, C. APOSTLE OF THE INDIES.
- Baring-Gould, The Lives of the Saints, 1897, S. FRANCIS XAVIER, S.J.
Japan
- Diocese of Bellary: Saint Francis Xavier, consulted October 4, 2026
Feast day
- December 3 · General Roman Calendar
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Francis Xavier”
died on the Island of Sancian near the coast of China, 2 December, 1552.
In 1525, having completed a preliminary course of studies in his own country, Francis Xavier went to Paris, where he entered the collège de Sainte-Barbe.
Here he met the Savoyard, Pierre Favre, and a warm personal friendship sprang up between them.
It was at this same college that St. Ignatius Loyola, who was already planning the foundation of the Society of Jesus, resided for a time as a guest in 1529.
He soon won the confidence of the two young men;
first Favre and later Xavier offered themselves with him in the formation of the Society.
Four others, Lainez, Salmerón, Rodríguez, and Bobadilla, having joined them, the seven made the famous vow of Montmartre, 15 Aug., 1534.
Prayer from The Raccolta, 1910, no. 390
O GREAT St Francis, well beloved and full of charity, with thee I reverently adore the divine Majesty; and since I specially rejoice in the singular gifts of grace, bestowed on thee in life, and of glory after death, I give thanks to GOD, and beg of thee, with all the affections of my heart, that by thy powerful intercession thou mayest obtain for me above all things the grace to live a holy life and die a holy death. Moreover, I beg of thee to obtain for me (here insert some special spiritual or temporal favour); but if what I ask does not tend to the glory of GOD and the greater good of my soul, do thou, I beseech thee, obtain for me what will more certainly attain these ends. Amen.
Works of art
