Saint Francis Xavier

Saint Francis Xavier

  • Short, concise biography of Saint Francis Xavier
  • History, Life, Biography, Facts and Information about Saint Francis Xavier
  • Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Francis Xavier
  • What is Saint Francis Xavier the patron of?
  • Date of Death
  • How Saint Francis Xavier is represented in Christian Art
  • Feast Day

Saint Francis Xavier
(Apostle to the Far East)

The Patron Saint Francis Xavier
What is the definition and the meaning of the Patron Saints and why were these people chosen to become patrons of causes, professions and countries? The term 'Patron' is used in Christian religions, including the Roman Catholic religion, to describe holy and virtuous men and women who are considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a country. There is a patron for virtually every cause, country, profession or special interest. There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors.

 
 

Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Francis Xavier
The following provides fast and concise facts and information:

  • The patron of the Orient, Missionaries, Navigators and Sailors
  • Born: April 7, 1506 in Javier, Navarre
  • Memorial Day / Feast Day: December 3rd
  • Date of Death: Saint Francis Xavier died in 1553
  • Cause of Death: Natural Causes

Who or what is Saint Francis Xavier the patron saint of?
Saint Francis Xavier is The patron of the Orient, Missionaries, Navigators and Sailors. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.

The Story and History of Saint Francis Xavier
The story and history of Saint Francis Xavier. Francis Xavier was born in the family castle on April 7, 1506 in Javier, Navarre (Spain). He was the son of a wealthy and noble family, the youngest son of Juan de Jasso, a privy councillor to King John III of Navarre and Maria de Azpilicueta y Xavier, from whom he took his name according to the Spanish custom of the time. He was provided with an excellent education and attended the University of Paris planning a career as a educator. Whilst attending the University Francis Xavier became a friend of Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, or Society of Jesus. Ignatius of Loyola convinced Francis Xavier to use his education, connections and talents to spread the Gospel as a Jesuit. It was an exiting time in history, the Age of Exploration, when great Spanish and Portuguese explorers travelled to the Indies, China and the New World. The new discoveries brought untold riches in terms of gold and silver and spices but it also brought power and influence. The idea of spreading the Catholic religion to heathen races was seen as a primary reason for the Spanish Explorers and Portuguese to undertake voyages of discovery.  King John III of Portugal required Jesuit missionaries for the Portuguese East Indies and in 1540 started his life work as a Jesuit missionary in both the East Indies, Japan and later in China on behalf of the Spanish and Portuguese Kings. He was said to have been responsible for over 50,000 conversions to the Catholic faith. Francis Xavier died on 2 December 1552 at Sancian in China of a fever.

Death of Saint Francis Xavier
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Francis Xavier died in A.D. 1553. Cause of Death: Natural Causes, a fever. 

Why is Saint Francis Xavier The patron of the Orient, Missionaries, Navigators and Sailors?
Why is Saint Francis Xavier is The patron of the Orient, Missionaries, Navigators and Sailors? Due to his great missionary work across the seas to the East Indies, Japan and China.

How Saint Francis Xavier is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Francis Xavier in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Francis Xavier is represented in Christian Art with crucifix and/or as a preacher carrying a flaming heart.

Feast Day of Saint Francis Xavier
The Feast Day of Saint Francis Xavier is December 3rd. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.

 

Saint Francis Xavier

  • Short, concise biography
  • History, Life, Biography, Facts and Information about Saint Francis Xavier
  • Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Francis Xavier
  • What is Saint Francis Xavier the patron of?
  • Date of Death: 1553
  • How Saint Francis Xavier is represented in Christian Art
  • Memorial, or Feast Day, of Saint Francis Xavier
  • History, Life, Biography, Facts and Information
 
 

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Saint Francis Xavier