Washington: How far would one go to serve God? Would you willingly leave home, comfort, and security, stepping into a world of hardship, danger, and uncertainty all for the sake of faith? These are the questions embodied in the extraordinary life of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of missionaries, whose feast is celebrated today, December 3.
Born in 1506 into a noble Navarrese-Basque family, Francis’ childhood was shaped by conflict and tragedy. The kingdom of Navarre, wedged between the expanding empires of Castile-Aragon (Spain) and France, was constantly at war. By the age of ten, Francis faced profound loss: his father passed away, his homeland was conquered by Spain, his brothers imprisoned, and his family castle, the House of Xavier, lay in ruins. With his family’s fortunes shattered, Francis’ prospects seemed bleak but destiny had other plans.
In 1525, Francis was sent to the University of Paris to rebuild the family legacy. There, he distinguished himself with intellect, charm, and athletic prowess, including exceptional skill in pole vaulting. A life of worldly success seemed assured. Yet, his path took a decisive turn upon meeting Ignatius of Loyola, a fellow Basque noble. Initially skeptical of Ignatius’ call to radical devotion, Francis was eventually inspired by the message of Scripture: “For what doth it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his own soul?” (Mt 16:26).
In 1534, Francis, along with Ignatius and five companions, took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience at Montmartre, France. By 1537, having received holy orders, Francis planned to journey to the Holy Land but geopolitical conflicts rendered that impossible. Instead, divine providence intervened once more: when a Jesuit scheduled for the Portuguese mission in India fell ill, Francis volunteered in his place, setting the stage for a life that would transform Asia.
On his 35th birthday in 1541, Francis embarked on a perilous voyage to India. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, enduring disease, storms, and near-starvation, he reached Goa in 1542. There, Francis faced enormous challenges preaching to diverse populations, navigating cultural barriers, and even confronting hostility from local rulers and Portuguese authorities. Yet, his tireless ministry bore fruit: tens of thousands were converted, and the foundations of a vibrant, enduring Church were established across India and the Asian Pacific islands.
Driven by an insatiable missionary zeal, Francis then turned his sights on Japan, traversing mountains, rivers, and villages on foot, often with scarce resources. There, he planted a flourishing Christian community over 6,000 miles from his home in Navarre. News of the elusive Chinese mainland reached him, and even there, Francis longed to carry the Gospel though illness claimed him in 1552 on Shangchuan Island, China before he could enter.
St. Francis Xavier’s life is a testament to courage, perseverance, and complete trust in God. From the war-torn valleys of Navarre to the distant shores of India and Japan, his journey demonstrates that one individual’s faith, when fully surrendered to God, can impact nations, cultures, and centuries of history. Today, as pilgrims and faithful honor his feast, his story continues to inspire missionaries, travelers, and believers around the globe a reminder that serving God often requires leaving the familiar behind and trusting entirely in divine providence.