“His very intense activity was always combined with prayer, with mystical and contemplative union with God… The love of Christ was the force that pushed him to the furthest borders” (Pope Francis, 17 May 2023). The Pope is talking about Saint Francis Xavier (Javier, 7 April 1506 – Sancian Island, 3 December 1552), Spanish Jesuit and missionary, a pioneer of the spread of Christianity in Asia, as a representative of the Portuguese monarchy.

He was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and, in 1927, the Catholic Church proclaimed him 'Patron of the missions together with Saint Therese of Lisieux.

Our Founder, San Guido Maria Conforti, chose him as Patron of our Xaverian congregation.

Here we have some of his words on “Faith and Vocation”.