Francis Xavier was one of the first companions of St Ignatius Loyola who together took their vows and formed The Society of Jesus. Unlike many of our House Saints, along with Ignatius and Alberto Hurtado, Xavier was not a martyr (i.e. he was not killed because of his faith).

Francis Xavier first met Ignatius when they found themselves as roommates in Paris when St Ignatius went to study. Like Ignatius he was a Spanish nobleman. He was at first not particularly enamoured with Ignatius, being rather jealous of the newcomer’s popularity.

In 1534 these three along with four others became the first seven Jesuits. In 1540 the Jesuits were formally authorised by the Pope, and they placed themselves at the service of the Church. In 1542 Ignatius needed to send someone on an important but dangerous mission to India, a mission they would never return from. Xavier was chosen, and after a year of sailing, much of which he spent being sick, Xavier arrived in India and immediately went about the fishing villages preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, and baptising people in their thousands. Xavier was innovative, brave and pioneering, he continually developed his mission, finding new ways to preach about Christ, and continually wrote letters back to Europe about the missionary work which enthused huge numbers of people to follow in his footsteps.