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Xavier missionary activity

Only a few years after the Society of Jesuits was founded, Francis Xavier as one of its founding members was designated to missionary activity to spread the word of God throughout the lands. At this time, the Portuguese King John III wanted a better control over the Portuguese East Indies and has encouraged Jesuit missionary travels to Goa, which was a Portuguese land at that time. Reaching Goa through Mozambique, Xavier spent three years there, operating as an Apostolic Nuncio (ambassador of the Pope) and converting locals to Catholicism. He traveled extensively throughout the region and even lived in a sea cave for some time in the Southeast India, trying to convert pearl-fishers and their children. While being in India, he also visited Ceylon and Indonesia.

While being in Malacca, Xavier was approached by a Japanese person who has heard of his missionary endeavors and wanted to seek his help and change his life. This man helped Xavier reach Japan where he was the first Jesuit to visit the land and has established a strong following that can be observed even today. Spending about two years in Japan, Xavier has expanded the knowledge of the locals about different cultures and Christianity in particular by displaying pieces of art that depicted the life of Jesus and other biblical characters. This was probably the only way the missionary could communicate with Japanese because there was a very strong language barrier as Japanese was very different from all other languages he had to deal with before.

After leaving Japan in 1552, Xavier returned to Goa, making arrangements in administrative tasks there. At his way back, he received a letter containing a cry for help from a fellow Portuguese person who was held prisoner in China, pleading for someone in authority to speak in his favor before the Chinese Emperor. Francis Xavier could not leave this matter alone and rushed to save the man. But being only 14 miles away from the mainland China, he died on at Sancian island on the 3 December 1552, while waiting for his boat to the country.

He has traveled thousands and thousands of miles away from his home to bring the word of God to other nations and cultures, and there were not so many people who could compare with his passion and devotion in missionary activities. Xavier has given foundation to his followers for bringing Christianity throughout the lands and that is why he will never be forgotten.