Saint Francis Xavier (1506–1552) was a Spanish priest from Navarre and one of the first companions of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in founding the Society of Jesus. He became one of the greatest missionaries in the Church's history, bringing the Gospel to India, Southeast Asia, and Japan, and baptizing many thousands. He died on Shangchuan Island off the coast of China, still longing to bring the faith there, and is the patron of missions.
Francis Xavier left behind comfort, position, and homeland because he believed every soul was worth crossing an ocean for. His tireless love reminds us that faith is not meant to be kept quietly to ourselves, but shared with warmth and courage. Even when his strength ran out short of his goal, he trusted that God would finish what he had begun.
Saint Francis Xavier, who carried the love of Christ to the ends of the earth, pray for us, that our hearts may burn with the same love and carry it faithfully to everyone we meet. Amen.