Feast day · December 3
Saint Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia
Saint Francis Xavier was a Spanish Jesuit priest and one of the first companions of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Renowned for his extensive missionary work, he preached and baptized thousands throughout India, Southeast Asia, and Japan. His efforts played a major role in establishing Christianity in these regions during the sixteenth century. He is regarded as one of the greatest missionaries since the time of the apostles.