Daily Reflection Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

I would be beyond remiss if I did not celebrate the life of St. Francis Xavier, S.J. on this his feast day. Francis was a close friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola, S.J. and a co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He is known as the Patron Saint of Missionaries and is said to have baptized more people to Christianity than anyone since Saint Paul.

Both the first reading and the Gospel used for his feast sum up Francis’ life. More than anything he wanted to preach the Gospel. He did this willingly, humbly and with love. He was the first Jesuit missionary and did as the Gospel of Mark said, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature”. His missionary work took him to India, Japan, and the East Indies. He opposed slavery, cared for the sick and taught the faith to the children of India. It is believed he baptized as many as 10,000 in a month and more than 40,000 while in India.

One of my favorite Francis’ quotes is “It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken”. Francis had that faith, that faith that Jesus talks about when he said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet believed”. 

Francis met Ignatius when he was studying in Paris at the College of Sainte-Barbe, University of Paris. He was room mates with Pierre Favre, aka St. Peter Faber, S.J. and St. Ignatius Loyola. At first, he was not at all fond of Ignatius but over time Ignatius won him over and he fell in love with the faith. He, along with six other students met and made private vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Pope. He began his study of theology and three years later he was ordained. Three years after his ordination, the new religious order, The Society of Jesus, was approved by Pope Paul III and as they say the rest is history.

Francis died on a small island off mainland China and a year later his remains were taken go Goa. He is now laid to rest in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa. Francis was a true evangelist, and I am sure as he was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, he heard well done my good and faithful servant.

This Advent as we prepare our hearts for Jesus let us be like Francis and share the Gospel with all we meet, let us care for the poor and defend the oppressed. St. Francis Xavier pray for us.

As a side note, last week I gave credit to the wrong band for the song I quoted. It was R.E.M. that sang “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” and not R.E.O.