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Portrait of St. Francis Xavier
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
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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
Sterling Silver St. Francis Xavier Medal | Medium | Engravable
$62.00
 Gold-Filled St. Francis Xavier Pendant
Gold-Filled St. Francis Xavier Pendant
$114.00
 Sterling Silver St. Francis Xavier Medal | Large | Engravable
Sterling Silver St. Francis Xavier Medal | Large | Engravable
$86.00
 Silver Plated 6mm St. Francis Xavier Rosary
Silver Plated 6mm St. Francis Xavier Rosary
$148.25
 14kt Gold-Filled 6mm Austrian Crystal St. Francis Xavier Rosary Bracelet in Peridot | Engravable
14kt Gold-Filled 6mm Austrian Crystal St. Francis Xavier Rosary Bracelet in Peridot | Engravable
$254.25
 St. Francis Xavier Holy Cards
St. Francis Xavier Holy Cards
$0.99
 St. Francis Xavier - Devotional Canvas
St. Francis Xavier - Devotional Canvas
$39.00
 14kt Gold St. Francis Xavier Medal | Small | Engravable
14kt Gold St. Francis Xavier Medal | Small | Engravable
$729.00
See all St. Francis Xavier products

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.