Saint Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506 in the Castle of Xavier. He died on December 2, 1552 on the Island of Sancian near the coast of China. In 1525 Francis Xavier went to Paris where he entered the college de Sainte-Barbe. At college he met Pierre Favre and the two formed a personal friendship. Saint Ignatius Loyola who was already planning the foundation of the Society of Jesus resided for a time as a guest in 1529. He soon won the confidence of the two young men and four others: Lainez, Salmeron, Rodriguez, and Bobadilla. The seven made the famous vow of Montmartre August 15, 1534.

On June 24, 1537 Saint Xavier received Holy Orders with Saint Ignatius. In 1539 he took part in the conferences which Saint Ignatius held with his companions to prepare for the definitive foundation of the Society of Jesus. The order was approved verbally September 3.

In 1547 he met a Japanese called Anger (Han-Sir) from whom he obtained much information about Japan. His zeal was at once aroused by the idea of introducing Christanity into Japan but for the time being the affairs of the Society demanded his presence at Goa.

On August 15, 1549 he journeyed to the city of Kagoshima in Japan. The first year was devoted to learning the Japanese language and translating into Japanese, with the help of Pablo de Santa Fe, the principal articles of faith and short treatises. In 1550 he penetrated to the center of Japan and preached the Gospel in some of the cities of southern Japan.

In 1552 he returned to Goa leaving his mission in charge of Father Cosme de Torres and Brother Juan Fernandez. Xavier soon turned his thoughts to China and began to plan an expedition there. In 1552 he left Goa to journey to China. While planning the best means for reaching the mainland he was taken ill. A crude hut was built to shelter him. In these wretched surroundings he breathed his last.

The body of the saint is still enshrined at Goa in the church which formerly belonged to the Society. In 1614 by order of Claudius Acquaviva, General of the Society of Jesus, his right arm was severed at the elbow and conveyed to Rome. An altar was erected to receive it in the church of the Gesu.