Today's Saint (December 3): Francis Xavier, Confessor

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Francis (1506-1552) was born in Navarre, Spain. While receiving his education at the University of Paris, he met and befriended Ignatius of Loyola. Subsequently, in Paris he also joined the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits), which Ignatius had founded.

His decision to become a missionary was due to words Ignatius had repeatedly said to him: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?"

Although prone to seasickness and not having an inclination for learning languages, Xavier traveled to India, Japan and China. On these journeys, his preaching of the gospel won many converts, and he is regarded by many to be the Patron of the Propagation of the Faith.

May God grant us the grace to give up all, for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus.

The Day's Propers
Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books Worth Considering
Set All Afire: A Novel About Saint Francis Xavier
The Treasury of Saints and Martyrs
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Penguin Dictionary of Saints: Third Edition (Dictionary, Penguin)

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