Saints Who Were Great Evangelizers

St. Francis Xavier – A close friend of St. Ignatius and one of the first Jesuits, Francis Xavier was a great missionary to Asia, visiting India, Indonesia, Japan and other countries. He was named the patron of Catholic missions by Pope Pius XI.

Lives of the Saints

by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. edition

[1894]

—ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.

YOUNG Spanish gentleman, in the dangerous days of the Reformation, was making a name for himself as a Professor of Philosophy in the University of Paris, and had seemingly no higher aim, when St. Ignatius of Loyola won him to heavenly thoughts. After a brief apostolate amongst his countrymen in Rome he was sent by St. Ignatius to the Indies, where for twelve years he was to wear himself out, bearing the Gospel to Hindostan, to Malacca, and to Japan.

Thwarted by the jealousy, covetousness, and carelessness of those who should have helped and encouraged him, neither their opposition nor the difficulties of every sort which he encountered could make him slacken his labors for souls. The vast kingdom of China appealed to his charity, and he was resolved to risk his life to force an entry, when God took him to Himself, and on the 2nd of December, 1552, he died, like Moses, in sight of the land of promise.

Reflection.—Some are specially called to work for souls; but there is no one who cannot help much in their salvation. Holy example, earnest intercession, the offerings of our actions in their behalf—all this needs only the spirit which animated St. Francis Xavier, the desire to make some return to God.

Saint Francis Xavier Priest white Memorial Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 (180).

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/francis-xavier-574
CATHOLICISM SAINTS ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

*The Miracle of St. Francis Xavier – Poussin.

In this image of Saint Francis Xavier bringing the son of an inhabitant of Cangoxima, Japan, back to life, the holy Jesuit missionary prays to the Resurrected Jesus. Artwork by N. Poussin.

**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. 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. He is now co-patron saint of Navarre, with Fermin. The Day of Navarre in Navarre, Spain, marks the anniversary of Francis Xavier’s death, on 3 December 1552.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Xavier

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Lk 1:76–79