São Francisco Xavier

Francisco Xavier, born on 7th April, 1506, was Spanish by origin. In 1525, he went to study in the University of Paris. In 1534, a Spanish named Ignatius Loyola teamed up with Francisco Xavier and other six persons to form the Jesuits, hoping to preach in the countries and lands along the new sea route. By 1540, Pope Paul III authorized the formation of the Jesuits and in July of the following year, Francisco Xavier was appointed by Ignatius Loyola to be the papal ambassador in the Far East before arriving to the East. When he was in Japan, he found out that Buddhism, which was revered by the Japanese, had been introduced to Japan by China. After knowing this, he wished to go to China to preach.

He attempted to get into Guangzhou after his arrival at the Shangchuan Island in August 1552, but in vain. He died of sickness on 3rd December, 1552 and his body was shipped back to Goa for entombment.

Once, the humerus of the right arm of Francisco Xavier, had been kept in the Church of São Francisco Xavier. Originally, this sacred relic was kept in the St. Paul’s Church but it was transferred to St. Joseph’s Seminary after the Church was ruined by the big fire.