Introduction
The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on December 3rd each year to honor the life and missionary work of St. Francis Xavier, one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and a revered Christian saint who spread Christianity in Asia, especially India and Japan.
Early Life and Education
St. Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506, in the Kingdom of Navarre (modern-day Spain). He studied at the University of Paris where he met Ignatius of Loyola, with whom he co-founded the Society of Jesus in 1534.
Missionary Work in India
In 1542, Francis Xavier arrived in Goa, India, then a Portuguese colony. He dedicated himself to preaching, baptizing, and caring for the poor and sick. He worked among fishermen communities and spread Christianity to the southern parts of India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Global Missions and Legacy
After his work in India, Xavier traveled to Malacca, the Moluccas, and Japan to continue his mission. He dreamt of reaching China but died on December 3, 1552, on Shangchuan Island, near the Chinese coast. His body was later brought back to Goa, where it remains enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Celebrations in Goa and Worldwide
In Goa, the Feast is marked with grand processions, special masses, and cultural programs at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Thousands of pilgrims from India and abroad visit his tomb, seeking blessings and paying homage to the saint.
Importance
St. Francis Xavier is remembered for his selfless service, compassion, and dedication to faith. He is the patron saint of missionaries and is highly respected among Christians across the globe.