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The Figure of St. Francis Xavier

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Page 1: The Figure of St. Francis Xavier
Page 2: The Figure of St. Francis Xavier

SSTT. F. FRANCISRANCIS X XAVIERAVIER

1506 - 2006

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• Francis Xavier was born in the Castle of Francis Xavier was born in the Castle of Xavier, in Northern Spain on April 7th Xavier, in Northern Spain on April 7th 1506. 1506.

• He was born into a noble family and was He was born into a noble family and was the youngest of five childrenthe youngest of five children..

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Castle Xavier, in Javier, Spain

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• In 1525 Francis left home to pursue his studies In 1525 Francis left home to pursue his studies at the University of Paris.at the University of Paris.

• He enrolled in the College of Sainte-Barbe.He enrolled in the College of Sainte-Barbe.

• In 1526 Francis Xavier met Pierre Favre and In 1526 Francis Xavier met Pierre Favre and they became college roommates and friends.they became college roommates and friends.

• In 1529 they were joined by Ignatius of Loyola, In 1529 they were joined by Ignatius of Loyola,

who was then just new to the college. who was then just new to the college.

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St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis Xavier

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• Francis Xavier was slowly and eventually won Francis Xavier was slowly and eventually won over by Ignatius of Loyola and the two would over by Ignatius of Loyola and the two would become life long friends and would found the become life long friends and would found the new religious order, the Society of Jesus (The new religious order, the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits).Jesuits).

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• In Paris, Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier and Pierre In Paris, Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier and Pierre Favre were joined by four others: Simon Rodriguez, Favre were joined by four others: Simon Rodriguez, Jaime Laynez, Alphonso Salmeron and Nicolas Jaime Laynez, Alphonso Salmeron and Nicolas Bobadilla. Bobadilla.

• Together these seven companions were united in Together these seven companions were united in wanting to spread the Gospel and devoting their lives to wanting to spread the Gospel and devoting their lives to the service of God. the service of God.

• They decided that they would take vows of chastity and They decided that they would take vows of chastity and poverty and then make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. poverty and then make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On On August 15th 1534 (the feast of the Assumption), in the August 15th 1534 (the feast of the Assumption), in the chapel of Montmartre near Paris, these seven chapel of Montmartre near Paris, these seven companions made their vows. companions made their vows. This was an important This was an important step in the foundation of the Society of Jesus.step in the foundation of the Society of Jesus.

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Monogram of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)

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• Francis Xavier was later ordained a priest in Venice on Francis Xavier was later ordained a priest in Venice on June 24th 1537. He was then 31. June 24th 1537. He was then 31.

• He said his first Mass on September 30th of that year He said his first Mass on September 30th of that year and according to those present he did so with tears in his and according to those present he did so with tears in his eyes. He was indeed a very prayerful man. He prayed eyes. He was indeed a very prayerful man. He prayed frequently and was often found deep in prayer. frequently and was often found deep in prayer.

• This was a quality that remained with him throughout his This was a quality that remained with him throughout his life.life.

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St. Francis Xavier

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• Because of a war between Turkey and Venice, Because of a war between Turkey and Venice, Francis and his companions were unable to Francis and his companions were unable to begin their journey to the Holy Land. begin their journey to the Holy Land.

• They went to Rome and offered their service to They went to Rome and offered their service to the Pope, Paul III.the Pope, Paul III.

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• While in Rome, Francis Xavier was asked to go While in Rome, Francis Xavier was asked to go to India as a representative of the Pope.to India as a representative of the Pope.

• In 1540 Francis travelled from Rome to Lisbon. In 1540 Francis travelled from Rome to Lisbon.

Here he spent a year, living at a hospice and Here he spent a year, living at a hospice and helping to care for the sick there, visiting the helping to care for the sick there, visiting the poor, and visiting those in prison. poor, and visiting those in prison.

• Finally, in 1541, Francis Xavier set sail on his Finally, in 1541, Francis Xavier set sail on his first missionary journey to India.first missionary journey to India.

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St. Francis Xavier is asked to go to India.

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• Francis Xavier left Lisbon on April 7Francis Xavier left Lisbon on April 7 thth 1541(his 1541(his 3535thth birthday), together with two other Jesuits on birthday), together with two other Jesuits on board the Santiago and in a fleet of five ships. board the Santiago and in a fleet of five ships.

• The seas were rough and the conditions difficult. The seas were rough and the conditions difficult. Francis spoke of the voyage later in a letter to Francis spoke of the voyage later in a letter to his companions in Rome: ‘…I was seasick for his companions in Rome: ‘…I was seasick for two months and I was sorely tired for forty days two months and I was sorely tired for forty days off the coast of Guinea both because of the off the coast of Guinea both because of the oppressive heat and the lack of winds.’oppressive heat and the lack of winds.’

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Francis Xavier left Lisbon on April 7th 1541 on board the Santiago

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Lisbon

Mozambique

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• From August of that year until March 1542 From August of that year until March 1542 Francis remained in Mozambique because of the Francis remained in Mozambique because of the dangerous seas during wintertime. During his dangerous seas during wintertime. During his stay there Francis cared for the sick and the stay there Francis cared for the sick and the dying. dying.

• He sailed for Goa, leaving his two companions in He sailed for Goa, leaving his two companions in Mozambique to continue to care for the sick. Mozambique to continue to care for the sick.

• He reached Goa, India, the capital of the then He reached Goa, India, the capital of the then Portguese Colony, on May 6Portguese Colony, on May 6thth 1542. 1542.

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Lisbon

Mozambique

Goa

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• From his base at the Hospice in Goa, Francis commenced From his base at the Hospice in Goa, Francis commenced his missionary work. During the course of a normal day, he his missionary work. During the course of a normal day, he would nurse the sick, comfort the dying and administer the would nurse the sick, comfort the dying and administer the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. He would Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. He would then visit the prisons where he often counselled the then visit the prisons where he often counselled the inmates to repent for their sins of the past and change their inmates to repent for their sins of the past and change their way of life. He would then meet the children and teach way of life. He would then meet the children and teach them to pray. Similar classes were also held for adults. them to pray. Similar classes were also held for adults.

• Francis was well known in the city as the priest who called Francis was well known in the city as the priest who called upon the people of the town to prayers - by walking around upon the people of the town to prayers - by walking around the streets and ringing a bell. After celebrating Sunday the streets and ringing a bell. After celebrating Sunday Mass he would go to the Home for the Lepers on the Mass he would go to the Home for the Lepers on the outskirts of the city. There again he would administer the outskirts of the city. There again he would administer the Sacraments to the lepers.Sacraments to the lepers.

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St. Francis Xavier

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• At the end of September, as soon as the sea At the end of September, as soon as the sea became navigable after the monsoon, Francis became navigable after the monsoon, Francis Xavier left Goa for the Fishery Coast in Southern Xavier left Goa for the Fishery Coast in Southern India. He returned to his base in Goa and back India. He returned to his base in Goa and back to the Fishery Coast several times. In October to the Fishery Coast several times. In October 1543, after a year spent on the Fishery Coast, 1543, after a year spent on the Fishery Coast, he returned to Goa. he returned to Goa.

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Lisbon

Mozambique

Goa

Southern India

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St. Francis Xavier

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• In September 1545, Francis Xavier set sail for In September 1545, Francis Xavier set sail for Malacca in present day Malaysia. He used the Malacca in present day Malaysia. He used the same missionary methods he had developed in same missionary methods he had developed in Goa. Goa.

• He journeyed from Malacca to the islands of the He journeyed from Malacca to the islands of the Pacific Rim. It was a series of treacherous sea Pacific Rim. It was a series of treacherous sea voyages. The land was not so safe either but he voyages. The land was not so safe either but he continued tirelessly and bravely. continued tirelessly and bravely.

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Lisbon

Mozambique

Goa

Southern India

MalaysiaPacific Islands

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• On one of his journeys in these islands, he is known to On one of his journeys in these islands, he is known to have lost his crucifix during a storm. The distress which have lost his crucifix during a storm. The distress which he experienced was intense but short-lived as his crucifix he experienced was intense but short-lived as his crucifix was found the next day - attached to a crab which was was found the next day - attached to a crab which was coming ashore. coming ashore.

• For the Jesuit and those with him at the time, it was For the Jesuit and those with him at the time, it was nothing short of a miracle.nothing short of a miracle.

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St. Francis Xavier

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• He returned to Malacca, where in 1547 he was He returned to Malacca, where in 1547 he was introduced to Anjiro, a Japanese man who had sought introduced to Anjiro, a Japanese man who had sought refuge with the Portuguese and was christened as refuge with the Portuguese and was christened as Paolo. This new convert expressed a strong desire to Paolo. This new convert expressed a strong desire to meet with this Francis Xavier, a priest all Malacca was meet with this Francis Xavier, a priest all Malacca was talking about. talking about.

• Paolo convinced Francis that the Japanese would turn to Paolo convinced Francis that the Japanese would turn to Christ if they were convinced that Christians practiced Christ if they were convinced that Christians practiced what they preached. Francis made up his mind. He was what they preached. Francis made up his mind. He was going to Japan.going to Japan.

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St. Francis Xavier

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• Francis Xavier reached Japan on July 27Francis Xavier reached Japan on July 27thth 1549, but it 1549, but it wasn't until August 15wasn't until August 15thth that he went ashore at that he went ashore at Kagoshima, the principal port of the province of Kagoshima, the principal port of the province of Satsuma, on the island of Kyushu. Satsuma, on the island of Kyushu.

• He was received in a friendly manner and was hosted by He was received in a friendly manner and was hosted by Paulo’s family until October 1550. From October to Paulo’s family until October 1550. From October to December 1550, he resided in Yamaguchi. Shortly December 1550, he resided in Yamaguchi. Shortly before Christmas, he left for Kyoto, but failed to meet before Christmas, he left for Kyoto, but failed to meet with the Emperor. He returned to Yamaguchi in March with the Emperor. He returned to Yamaguchi in March 1551. There he was permitted to preach but not knowing 1551. There he was permitted to preach but not knowing the Japanese language he had to limit himself to reading the Japanese language he had to limit himself to reading aloud the translation of the catechism.aloud the translation of the catechism.

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Lisbon

Mozambique

Goa

Southern India

MalaysiaPacific Islands

Japan

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• Francis worked for more than two years in Japan Francis worked for more than two years in Japan spreading the gospel and founding churches spreading the gospel and founding churches and saw his successor-Jesuits established. He and saw his successor-Jesuits established. He then decided to return to India. then decided to return to India.

• Back in India in1552 he also began to make Back in India in1552 he also began to make preparations for his next journey. With the help preparations for his next journey. With the help of a merchant Diego Pereira, an old friend from of a merchant Diego Pereira, an old friend from Cochin, Francis was going to China.Cochin, Francis was going to China.

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St. Francis Xavier

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• On April 17On April 17thth1552 Francis Xavier left Goa and 1552 Francis Xavier left Goa and set sail for China. In early September 1552, he set sail for China. In early September 1552, he reached the Chinese island of Shangchuan, 14 reached the Chinese island of Shangchuan, 14 km away from the southern coast of mainland km away from the southern coast of mainland China.China.

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Lisbon

Mozambique

Goa

Southern India

MalaysiaPacific Islands

Japan

China

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• Since the entrance of foreigners into China was Since the entrance of foreigners into China was strictly forbidden, Francis looked for someone strictly forbidden, Francis looked for someone who could take him to the mainland in secret. who could take him to the mainland in secret. He found a Chinese merchant who promised to He found a Chinese merchant who promised to do so by night, in his own boat. But he failed to do so by night, in his own boat. But he failed to arrive as promised on November 19arrive as promised on November 19 thth. .

• Two days later Francis Xavier fainted after Two days later Francis Xavier fainted after celebrating Mass. He became ill and over the celebrating Mass. He became ill and over the next days his condition worsened. next days his condition worsened.

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• Francis Xavier died on December 3rd 1552. Francis Xavier died on December 3rd 1552.

• His dying words were: In te, Domine, speravi, His dying words were: In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum (‘In you, O Lord, non confundar in aeternum (‘In you, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be confounded’.) have I hoped; let me never be confounded’.)

• He died on the island of Shangchuan at the age He died on the island of Shangchuan at the age of 46, without having reached mainland China.of 46, without having reached mainland China.

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““In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum”.In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum”.

The death of St. Francis Xavier

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• Francis Xavier’s body, dressed in the vestments Francis Xavier’s body, dressed in the vestments which he had used for celebrating Mass, was which he had used for celebrating Mass, was placed in a wooden coffin and buried on a beach placed in a wooden coffin and buried on a beach of Shangchuan island. His friends then decided of Shangchuan island. His friends then decided to bring his body back to Malacca. to bring his body back to Malacca.

• When his grave was opened his body was found When his grave was opened his body was found to be fresh and incorrupt. His body was then to be fresh and incorrupt. His body was then temporarily buried in St. Paul's church in temporarily buried in St. Paul's church in Malacca on March 22Malacca on March 22ndnd1553. 1553.

• An open tomb in the church now marks the An open tomb in the church now marks the place of Francis Xavier's burial. place of Francis Xavier's burial.

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• On On December 11December 11thth 1553 1553, his body was shipped , his body was shipped to Goa. to Goa.

• His body, having resisted extensive decay, is His body, having resisted extensive decay, is now in the now in the Basilica of Bom JBasilica of Bom Jéésussus in Goa, where in Goa, where it was placed into a silver casket on December it was placed into a silver casket on December 22ndnd 1637. The silver casket is lowered for viewing 1637. The silver casket is lowered for viewing only during the public exposition which occurs only during the public exposition which occurs for a duration of 6 weeks every 10 years, the for a duration of 6 weeks every 10 years, the most recent of which took place in 2004.most recent of which took place in 2004.

• Many people believe that his incorruptible body Many people believe that his incorruptible body is evidence of a miracle.is evidence of a miracle.

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Casket of Saint Francis Xavier in the Basilica of Bom Jésus in Goa

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The body of Saint Francis Xavier

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• Francis Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V on Francis Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V on October 25October 25thth 1619. 1619.

• He was He was canonisedcanonised by Pope Gregory XV on by Pope Gregory XV on March 12March 12thth 1622. 1622.

• He is the He is the patron saintpatron saint of of AustraliaAustralia, , BorneoBorneo, , ChinaChina, , East IndiesEast Indies, , GoaGoa, , JapanJapan and and New New ZealandZealand. .

• In 1927, together with Thérèse of Lisieux, In 1927, together with Thérèse of Lisieux, Francis Xavier was declared Patron Saint of All Francis Xavier was declared Patron Saint of All Missions. Missions.

• His Feast Day is December 3His Feast Day is December 3rdrd..

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• On December 3rd 2005 we celebrate On December 3rd 2005 we celebrate the 5th Centenary of the birth of St. the 5th Centenary of the birth of St. Francis Xavier.Francis Xavier.

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