St. Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier was born in Spanish Navarre in 1506. St. Ignatius of Loyola convinced his friend Francis Xavier to help spread the Gospel. Francis was one of the founding Jesuits and the first Jesuit missionary. Also a priest, he preached, helped the sick and taught the catechism to children in Goa. He served as a missionary in India, the East Indies and Japan. This miracle worker was a prophet and healer who is said to have calmed storms. He died of a fever in 1552. St. Francis Xavier is patron saint of African missions, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Navarre, Spain.