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 Francis
Xavier, Apostle of India and Japan and perhaps the greatest missionary
of the Church since Saint Paul, was born on April 7, 1506 near Sanguesa
in Spain. After completing his preliminary studies in his own country,
he went to Paris, France in 1525 and entered the College of Sainte-Barbe.
In 1526, he met Pierre Favre and a warm friendship sprang between
them. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
resided at this same college. He won the confidence of the two young
men and they were the first to join with him in the formation of
the religious order. They made their vows on August 15, 1534, binding
themselves to the service of God. Francis Xavier was beatified in
1619 and canonized a saint of the Catholic Church in 1622. In 1748
he was named the Patron Saint of the Orient. In 1904 he was declared
the patron saint for the Propagation of the Faith and in 1927 named
the patron of missions. Francis Xavier is also the Patron Saint
of all Navigators.
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