St. Francis Xavier (1506–1552) was a pioneering Jesuit missionary and one of the original companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Born in Navarre (present-day Spain), he was a talented scholar at the University of Paris when Ignatius persuaded him with the words of Christ, “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul?” Francis joined the newly formed Society of Jesus and in 1541 was sent as a missionary to the Portuguese colonies in the East. He spent the next ten years evangelizing in Goa, India, where he baptized tens of thousands, then in Southeast Asia (Malacca, the Moluccas), and finally in Japan. Traveling by foot, boat, and often under harsh conditions, he learned local languages and preached the Gospel with zeal, adapting Christianity to local cultures. Francis is credited with converting more people to Christianity than anyone since St. Paul – he had a special love for children, ringing a bell through villages to gather them for catechism. In 1552, he died on the small island of Sancian, within sight of the China mainland, which he had hoped to enter to spread the faith. St. Francis Xavier’s adventurous spirit and tireless dedication earned him the title “Apostle of the Indies and Japan.” He was canonized in 1622. His incorrupt right arm, which baptized so many, is venerated as a relic. He remains an inspiration for missionaries and all Christians to carry the Good News to the ends of the earth.