A portrait of St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier
1506 – 1552
Feast
December 3 · XVI c.
Patron of
Foreign missions · Missionaries · India · Japan
Order
Priest / Jesuit / Missionary
Basque Jesuit missionary (1506-1552), one of the original companions of St. Ignatius at Paris; sent by John III of Portugal as papal legate to the East Indies in 1541. Evangelized Goa, the Fishery Coast, Malacca, the Moluccas, and inaugurated the Jesuit mission in Japan (1549). Died on Shangchuan island awaiting passage to China. Patron of all foreign missions; canonized 1622 by Gregory XV.
Life & Times
Born: 1506 · Died: 1552 · From: Spain / India / Japan / China coast.
Patronage
St. Francis Xavier is invoked as the patron of foreign missions, missionaries, india, japan. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“Give me the souls; take all the rest.”— Letter to St. Ignatius from India (1540s); reflects his missionary spirit
Shop St. Francis Xavier Products
Devotional items honoring St. Francis Xavier, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
Sterling Silver St. Francis Xavier Medal | Medium | Engravable
$62.00
Gold-Filled St. Francis Xavier Pendant
$114.00
Sterling Silver St. Francis Xavier Medal | Large | Engravable
$86.00
Silver Plated 6mm St. Francis Xavier Rosary
$148.25
14kt Gold-Filled 6mm Austrian Crystal St. Francis Xavier Rosary Bracelet in Peridot | Engravable
$254.25
St. Francis Xavier Holy Cards
$0.99
St. Francis Xavier - Devotional Canvas
$39.00
14kt Gold St. Francis Xavier Medal | Small | Engravable
$729.00
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Francis Xavier, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.