St. Francis Xavier the Evangeliser

(Sharing at the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on 12 Apr 2014)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

If St. Francis Xavier were alive today, he would be 508 years old. Passing the anniversary of his birthday on Monday, 7 April, I cannot help but share about our beloved Patron Saint; this time in light of our Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. As the Patron Saint of All Foreign Missionaries, none could be a better model than St. Francis Xavier himself in living out Pope Francis’ call to be joyful evangelisers.

We have heard of how St. Francis Xavier was converted to a life dedicated to Christ by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Francis, who had been Ignatius’ most difficult convert, would later always regard Ignatius as the “dear father” of his soul. He would write letters to Ignatius while kneeling, and seal Ignatius’ signatures, cut out from his letters, in a locket hung from his neck. So faithful and obedient was Francis to Ignatius that Ignatius’ plans became his plans. Pope Francis wrote, “The believer is essentially 'one who remembers'.” He quoted the letter to the Hebrews: "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God" (Heb 13:7). He exhorted us to constantly implore the grace of remembrance, for “The joy of evangelizing always arises from grateful remem­brance…”. (Evangelii Gaudium, #13)

Perhaps less known is the influence of Francis’ spiritual upbringing. In the castle of Xavier, where he was born and grew up, was a family chapel with a life-size crucifix called the “Christ of the Smile”. The features of the Crucified One must have left a deep impression on Francis’ young heart every time he heard his mother explained Jesus’ story then. His family’s piety had also been characterised by devotions to Our Lady and to the Saints.

In compiling stories on St. Francis Xavier’s life, Fr. Albert Jou wrote that his eldest sister, Magdalena’s death in 1533 might have also helped Francis change his life. A nun in a convent of Gandia, Spain, her virtuous and saintly life might have influenced Francis. She had prophesied the great honour that Francis would bring to God, and encouraged their brother Miguel to continue financing Francis’ studies in Paris.

Francis became one of the founders of the Society of Jesus led by Ignatius Loyola. Two of their hallmarks were their ministry to the sick and incurables, and austerity. Wherever they went, they lived at or near hospitals. They begged for their food, and also for the poor and the sick. Once, Francis was serving in a hospital in Venice. The patients were suffering from the contagious syphilis that rotted the body gradually. Sores full of smelly puss covered their bodies, and a continuous headache tortured them. One day, a patient asked Francis to scratch his back, covered with sores. While doing so, fear of contracting the disease suddenly seized Francis. To overcome it, Francis put his fingers into his mouth. At night, he dreamt of his throat having been infected and kept coughing and spitting all night. He not only did not catch the disease, but he was free forever from all disgust in serving the patients.

Evangelii Gaudium #15 reads, “It is not by proselytising that the Church grows, but 'by attraction'”. Later, in his missions, Francis continued to attract people by his saintly charity, humility, and friendliness. He was always smiling, cheerful and speaking about God, and made himself the servant of all. He was exemplary even in the most challenging circumstances. For instance, in the arduous voyage to the East Indies, many fell sick or died. Francis was seasick and weak, but he went around helping the suffering and cooked the food that he begged. Seeing his charitable acts, the people listened to Francis readily. He preached at “dry Masses” and instructed the children and workers. On Saturday evenings, they would all meet and sing hymns to Mary and pray to her and the Saints. Francis Xavier’s conduct reflected Pope Francis’ exhortation to us to let the joy of faith slowly revive us even amidst the greatest distress. (Evangelii Gaudium, #6)

Pope Francis wrote, “evangeliza­tion is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him.” (Evangelii Gaudium, #15) Francis Xavier embodied this best by his zealousness in bringing the Gospel to everyone and to save souls. In the short ten years in the East, he baptised and catechised thousands of people, and converted those who strayed from the faith. Always on the move, his apostolic enterprise and harvest have been unparalleled since the Apostles’ time.

Again, echoing Evangelii Gaudium (#10), St. Francis Xavier is the epitome of one who has lived his life to the fullest by answering the Church’s call to evangelise. As we answer that call ourselves, let us ask for St. Francis Xavier and Mother Mary’s intercessions.