The Original X-man
Today, December 3rd, is the feast day of St Francis Xavier. St Francis is one of the patron of missions and is a special saint for CCO Staff. We really share a common heart in many ways!
While at university in Paris, St Francis met St Ignatius of Loyola and became his friend and follower. Together with five others, they founded the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. St Francis had a love for the Holy Name of Jesus and fervently desired to seek out the Lost and share with them the message of the gospel. He also had a great heart for the world! He led an extensive mission into Asia, most notably in India but also into Japan, Borneo, the Moluccas, and other areas which had not been visited by Christian missionaries at that time. It was one of his goals goal to one day reach China. He died of a fever on December 3rd, 1552, while waiting for a boat to take him over to China. To the end his greatest desire was to set the world ablaze with the fire of God’s love!
St Francis is a wonderful example of so many things! He shows us the potential that can come from building into university students and raising them up as leaders who will change the world. He shows us the power and grace that comes from proclaiming the name of Jesus to those who do not know Him or do not know Him well enough. He shows us a fiery passion and dedication to mission, an uncompromising spirit that sacrifices and lays down life for the sake of the Gospel. He shows us the concern we should have, not only for our own country and families, but for the people of all nations. St Francis believed that every person had the right to hear the Gospel and be given an opportunity to choose Jesus, no matter where they lived!
St Francis held nothing back! As we enter this season of Advent, he gives us a strong example of the passion and dedication we, as Catholics, can have for mission.
St Francis Xavier, pray for us!