His unlimited confidence in God freed him from discouragement in the face of obstacles and reverses. For much of his life he struggled with feelings of loneliness, depression and chronic feelings of inferiority. However, it was not only during this time that he felt this way. Moreover, by the time Xavier finished University studies, his father, mother and a sister had died (his father had passed away when Xavier was only 6 years old) and his other sister and brothers had married. Seventeenth century sea voyages were filled with life-threatening dangers. Xavier's enthusiasm is underscored when recognizing that his work and life were not easy. He was helping others by helping them to find God. Much of the enthusiasm for his missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those that sent him and from the beauty from which he viewed his service. Even descriptions of how he moved capture his gusto - 'he walked with a joyful, calm face' and 'everywhere he went he went with laughter in his mouth'. For instance, when Loyola asked Xavier to join an expedition to the Far East he was 'overjoyed'. Xavier was known to have conducted his life's work with great vitality and zeal. Three qualities of Xavier are highlighted which are noteworthy in today's modern world. Today, such missionary accomplishments may be challenging to appreciate in light of present day plurality, cultural relativism, and global engagement, yet a great deal can be learned from Xavier in the way he conducted his life and work with meaning and purpose. Historians place the number of baptisms at roughly 30,000 people lore cites numbers up to 100,000. Xavier ranks among the greatest missionaries in Christian history. Xavier was canonized by Gregory XV on March 12, 1622, at the same time as Ignatius Loyola. He died on the island of an acute illness at the age of forty-six. For three months, he waited on an island off of Canton while trying to gain entry into the country. When he arrived, however, he was not allowed to disembark on the Mainland. In 1552, he set sail to begin the first Christian mission in China. In 1549, Xavier began the first Christian mission in Japan where he served in the country for over two years. Along the way, he assisted in many previously established missions including those in Mozambique and Melindi (Kenya) Africa, Socotra (an island off the coast of Somalia), and Goa (a district on the west coast of India, and the main Portuguese center) and other communities in the southern coastal areas. He traveled from Rome to Lisbon, Portugal and then to India. In fact, Xavier was the only original companion to leave Europe. His missionary travels took him to many places around the world. Upon approval, Xavier served as the secretary of the Society until leaving for India in 1541. In the following year, Xavier went to Rome to share in the discussions that led to the formal founding of the Society of Jesus. Together, Xavier and Ignatius were ordained priests in 1537. In August of 1534, he joined Ignatius and five other companions in pronouncing vows. So much so that, despite early reluctance, Xavier eventually made the Spiritual Exercises under his direction. While studying at the University, Ignatius Loyola, who was a fellow student, became an increasingly important influence on Xavier. By thirty years of age, he had earned a Master of Arts degree in philosophy, taught the subject for four years and then studied theology for two years. He was born in 1506 in the family castle in the Basque region of northern Spain, the fifth and youngest child of noble, wealthy, and pious parents.Īt the age of nineteen years, and after completing preliminary course of studies, he left home permanently, bound for the University of Paris.

Ignatius Loyola's closest friends and an original founding companion of the Society of Jesus, is most honored by the Catholic Church, other Christian churches, and the Jesuit order for his missionary accomplishments particularly in India, Southeast Asia and Japan.

Extra missions for venture plan