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December 3
St. Francis
Xavier
(1506-1552)
Jesus asked, “What profit would there be for one
to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26a). The words were repeated to
a young teacher of philosophy who had a highly promising career in academics,
with success and a life of prestige and honor before
him.
Francis Xavier, 24
at the time, and living and teaching in Paris, did not heed these words at
once. They came from a good friend, Ignatius of Loyola, whose tireless
persuasion finally won the young man to Christ. Francis then made the spiritual
exercises under the direction of Ignatius, and in 1534 joined his little
community (the infant Society of Jesus). Together at Montmartre they vowed poverty, chastity and apostolic
service according to the directions of the pope.
From Venice, where
he was ordained priest in 1537, Francis Xavier went on to Lisbon and from
there sailed to the East Indies, landing at Goa, on the west coast of India.
For the next 10 years he labored to bring the faith
to such widely scattered peoples as the Hindus, the Malayans and the Japanese.
He spent much of that time in India, and served as provincial of the newly
established Jesuit province of India.
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. Very often he had no time to sleep or even to say his breviary but, as we
know from his letters, he was filled always with joy.
Francis went
through the islands of Malaysia, then up to Japan. He learned enough Japanese
to preach to simple folk, to instruct and to baptize, and to establish missions
for those who were to follow him. From Japan he had dreams of going to China,
but this plan was never realized. Before reaching the mainland he died. His
remains are enshrined in the Church of Good Jesus in Goa.
Comment:
All of us are called to “go and
preach to all nations”
(see Matthew 28:19). Our preaching is not necessarily on distant shores but to
our families, our children, our husband or wife, our coworkers.
And we are called to preach not with words, but by our everyday lives. Only by
sacrifice, the giving up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier be free to
bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving yourself
behind at times for a greater good, the good of prayer, the good of helping
someone in need, the good of just listening to another. The greatest gift we have
is our time. Francis gave his to others.
Patron Saint of:
Japan
Missionaries
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