Francis Xavier
1506 – 1552 · Navarre (Spain) — India — Japan
Jesuit missionary
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
One of the first Jesuits, who sailed from Lisbon and carried the Gospel to India, Southeast Asia and Japan.
Why this person matters
He became the model of the modern missionary.
Historical context
He left Lisbon in 1541 and reached Goa in 1542.
Historical context
He worked in India, the Moluccas and Japan, and died on an island off China in 1552.
Why they still matter
Interpretation
Patron of the missions, with Thérèse of Lisieux.
Before
- Catherine of Siena1347 – 1380
Contemporary
- Ignatius of Loyola1491 – 1556
- Teresa of Ávila1515 – 1582
After
- John of the Cross1542 – 1591
- Historical context
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.