Patron Saint of Missionaries and Catholic Missions

St. Francis Xavier was born in Spain in 1506. While studying at the University of Paris, he met Ignatius of Loyola who then inspired St. Francis Xavier to become a priest. In 1534, Francis Xavier and six others took vows and thus formed the Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits. Pope Paul III approved the order in 1540. Francis Xavier was invited to the Eastern reaches of the Portuguese Empire to minister to the poor and spread the Word of God. He then traveled to India, China, Japan, and many islands to spread Christianity and help the poor; he is considered one of the greatest evangelizers since St. Paul. He is known as the “Apostle of the Far East” and many churches throughout the region are named in his honor. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622 at the same time as St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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Pilgrimage Sites in the United States

• — Vincennes, IN

• — Dyersville, IA