Know these facts about St Francis Xavier

NOBLE BIRTH

Born on April 7, 1506, in Navarre (Spain), St Francis Xavier came from nobility to eventually answer the call of God.

JOURNEY TO SAINTHOOD

It was the influence of St Ignatius of Loyola that changed the course of the ambitious Francis' life, convincing him that Heaven was far more important than worldly pursuits.

MISSION TO GOA

St Francis Xavier was not the first choice to go on the mission to Goa as requested by Pope Paul III. He went in place of a companion who took ill, never to see his friend Ignatius again.

FIRST OF THE JESUITS

One of the first seven Jesuits, St Francis Xavier was canonised a saint by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622, along with saints Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri.

THE CRAB AND THE CRUCIFIX

When travelling to Malacca, the saint lost his crucifix to the sea he was trying to calm. On his arrival, he saw a crab holding the same crucifix in its claws.

PATRON OF MISSIONS

The saint led the first Christian mission to Japan in 1549. His attempts to enter China, however, were thwarted. He passed away from fever on the Island of Sancian (Shangchuan) on December 3, 1552.

INCORRUPT BODY

The saint's body was found free of decay when exhumed in 1553. It was interred at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa in 1554, and in 1637, it was placed in a silver casket.

MORE RELICS

Relics of the saint can also be found at the Chiesa del Gesù in Rome, in Macau and at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

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