Xavier, Francis

<<Catholic missionary>>

Francis (1506-1552) had embarked on an intellectual path in life, however after surrendering to God, India beckoned and he was sent by the Jesuit leadership to preach the gospel there, although he believed no one was more ill-equipped than he to take the gospel overseas. However, even on the sea voyage to Goa, the centre of the Portuguese establishment, his cheerfulness and generosity enabled him to touch the lives of the toughest seamen as he shared Christ with them. He invited children to church and taught them the ways of faith, instructing them to share with their parents what they had been taught. This zealous missionary also worked in Japan and was endeavouring to enter China when he died. Xavier believed that missionaries must adapt to the customs and language of the people they sought to evangelize. He recognised the importance of going to the centres of influence for the whole region.

He is quoted as saying, ‘I will go anywhere and do anything in order to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him’.