Also known as Apostle to the Far East

Memorial 3 December

Profile Nobleman from the Basque reqion. Studied and taught philosophy at the University of Paris, and planned a career as a professor. Friend of Saint Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the Gospel. One of the founding Jesuits, and the first Jesuit missionary. Priest. In Goa, while waiting to take ship, India, he preached in the street, worked with the sick, and taught children their catechism. He would walk through the streets ringing a bell to call the children to their studies. Said to have converted the entire city. He scolded his patron, King John of Portugal, over the slave trade: "You have no right to spread the Catholic faith while you take away all the country's riches. It upsets me to know that at the hour of your death you may be ordered out of paradise." Tremendously successful missionary for ten years in India, the East Indies, and Japan, baptizing more than 40,000. His epic finds him dining with head hunters, washing sores of lepers in Venice, teaching catechism to Indian children, baptizing 10,000 in a single month. He tolerated the most appalling conditions on long sea voyages, enduring extremes of heat and cold. Wherever he went he would seek out and help the poor and forgotten. He traveled thousands of miles, most on his bare feet, and he saw the greater part of the Far East. Had the gift of tongues. Miracle worker. Raised people from the dead. Calmed storms. Prophet. Healer.

Born 1506 at Javier, Spanish Navarre

Died 2 December 1552 at Sancian, China of a fever contracted on a mission journey

Beatified 25 October 1619 by Pope Paul V

Canonized 12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV

Patronage African missions Agartala, India, diocese of Ahmedabad, India, diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana, diocese of Apostleship of Prayer Australia black missions, Bombay, India, archdiocese of Borneo, Cape Town, South Africa, archdiocese of China, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, diocese of East Indies, Fathers of the Precious Blood, foreign missions ,Freising, Germany Goa, India Green Bay, Wisconsin, diocese of India ,Indianapolis, Indiana, archdiocese of Japan ,Joiliet, Illinois, diocese of Kabankalan, Philippines, diocese of Malindi, Kenya, diocese of missionaries, Missioners of the Precious Blood, missions, black missions, foreign missions, parish Navarre, Spain navigators, New Zealand parish missions ,plague ,epidemics, Propagation of the Faith

Representation crucifix ,preacher carrying a flaming heart, bell ,globe, vessel ,young bearded Jesuit in the company of Saint Ignatius Loyola ,young bearded Jesuit with a torch, flame, cross and lily

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