St. Francis Xavier was one of the greatest Catholic missionaries. The Jesuit is well-known for spreading the Gospel to faraway places such as India and Japan. He is portrayed in artwork in various forms, among them: holding a crucifix, with a flaming heart, holding a pilgrim’s staff, and raising his hands as he baptizes someone. He is one of the first of the Jesuit Order, or the Society of Jesus.

St. Francis Xavier and the Jesuit Order, Society of Jesus

St. Francis Xavier was born in Spain in 1506; but it was while he was living and teaching in France that he experienced great rebirth due to the persistence of his friend, Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order, or the Society of Jesus. St. Francis underwent Ignatius’ spiritual direction for several years. “Together at Montmartre, they vowed poverty, chastity and apostolic service according to the directions of the pope,” AmericanCatholic.org explains in their “Saint of the Day” article, “St. Francis Xavier.” It was here that they began the Jesuit Order with five others.


St. Francis was ordained a priest in 1537 in Venice. He traveled to places such as Portugal, India, Malaysia, and Japan. “Wherever he went, he lived with the poorest people, sharing their food and rough accommodations. He spent countless hours ministering to the sick and the poor, particularly to lepers,” says AmericanCatholic.org. He died in 1552 before he could go to China.



The Crucifix, Flaming Heart, and other Symbols

St. Francis Xavier is often depicted with a crucifix, pilgrim’s staff, and flaming heart. The crucifix is a “symbol of his role as patron of the missions,” according to Saint Xavier Church of Cinicinatti. He is also shown “raising his arms over two kneeling figures who represent the thousands he baptized.”

The Loyola Unversity Museum of Art further explains, “His attributes include lilies for purity, a flaming heart for religious ardor, a crucifix, and clerical dress.”

St. Francis Xavier was canonized in 1622 and is the patron saint of Japan and Missionaries. His feast day is December 3.

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?

—Matthew 16:26

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