Saint Francis Xavier
- Feast
- 3 December
- Patron of
- missions, missionaries, Goa and Navarre
Born in 1506 at the castle of Xavier in Navarre, Francis met Ignatius of Loyola as a student in Paris and was one of the first Jesuits. In 1541 he sailed for India, and over the next decade preached in Goa, southern India, Malacca, the Moluccas and Japan. He died in 1552 on Shangchuan Island, off the coast of China, which he had hoped to enter.
He is remembered as the great missionary of the modern Church; he and Thérèse of Lisieux are the two patrons of the missions. He was canonised with Ignatius in 1622, and his body lies in Goa. Painters show him in a Jesuit cassock and surplice, holding a crucifix, baptising, or dying on the shore within sight of China.
For a young person who is restless, who loves to travel or is heading far from home, Francis Xavier is the saint of going out. He spent his whole life on the move so that people who had never heard of Christ could meet him.
The print of Saint Francis Xavier
Questions
When is the feast of Saint Francis Xavier?
The feast of Saint Francis Xavier is kept on 3 December.
What is Saint Francis Xavier the patron saint of?
Saint Francis Xavier is the patron saint of missions, missionaries, Goa and Navarre.
Is Saint Francis Xavier a good confirmation saint?
For a young person who is restless, who loves to travel or is heading far from home, Francis Xavier is the saint of going out. He spent his whole life on the move so that people who had never heard of Christ could meet him.
Is Saint Francis Xavier the patron saint of people named Francis?
Yes. Saint Francis Xavier is the traditional name saint for anyone called Francis, Xavier, Francisco, Javier and Xaviera, and the feast on 3 December is their name day.
Choosing for a confirmation? See Confirmation gifts. Any two Charcoal Saints are 15% off.
Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiGeorgeGerard MajellaGianna Beretta MollaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn of the CrossJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJosephine BakhitaJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaSebastianTeresa of ÁvilaTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of AlexandriaMartin of Tours