Tuesday, December 3, 2013 - St. Francis Xavier SJ

Xavier the Man

Francis had his early education at home in the family castle of Xavier in Navarre, Spain, where he was born. He went to Paris for his university studies where he excelled in the study of philosophy, earned his Master’s degree and was also the high jump champion. Here he met Ignatius of Loyola, who tried to win him over to his way of thinking. But Francis was not an easy catch for Ignatius as he had great hopes of worldly advancement. Francis had strong desires of making a name for himself as a professor of philosophy in the University of Paris. But Ignatius pursued him like a hound of heaven and was finally able to break down his friend’s resistance with the classic line: “ What would it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” Francis yielded to the grace God was offering him through his fellow Spaniard.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, our Father, you willed many nations to come to the knowledge of your name through the preaching and teaching of St. Francis Xavier. Kindle in our hearts zeal as fervent and generous as his, and grant that our young people excel in all their undertakings. May they have strong desires to serve God and country by first serving family and society. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.