On a Mission

There is little wonder why St. Francis Xavier (b. 1506 in Spain) was chosen as patron of the missions. A dear friend of Ignatius of Loyola and one of the early members of "The Company" known as the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Francis Xavier left the safe confines of the University of Paris to bring the Gospel to the far reaches of the world.

In letters to Ignatius, he chronicled his travels and the countless conversions he made in India and Japan. A letter from India is excerpted in the Office of Readings of the Church's Divine Office, which priests, deacons and religious pray each day. Contemplate the words below and you will feel the need in our day for more men like Francis Xavier, who laid down his life in foreign lands for love of Christ.

"I have not stopped since the day I arrived. I conscientiously made the rounds of the villages. I bathed in the sacred waters all the children who had not yet been baptized ...

"The older children would not let me say my Office or eat or sleep until I taught them one prayer or another. Then I began to understand, 'The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' ...

"Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is no one to make them Christians. Again and again, I have thought of going round the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and everywhere crying out like a madman, riveting the attention of those with more learning than charity:

"'What a tragedy: how many souls are being shut out of heaven and falling into hell, thanks to you!'

"I wish they would work as hard at this as they do at their books, and so settle their account with God for their learning and the talents entrusted to them. ...

"They would forget their own desires, their human affairs, and give themselves over entirely to God's will and his choice. They would cry out with all their heart: 'Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do? Send me anywhere you like -- even to India!'"

After laboring in Japan, Francis Xavier died in 1552 on an island off the coast of China, which he had hoped the make his largest mission field.

Now, you may ask, as a married man and father with responsibilities close to home, what does St. Francis Xavier mean for me?

Well, the Church in her wisdom has chosen a second patron of the missions, St. Therese of Lisieux, who was a cloistered nun in France. Though never leaving the cloister, she did much for missionary activity through her prayers and sufferings offered for the conversion of souls.

Here we have two models for the missions: the Jesuit priest who wore himself out in travels, and the Carmelite nun who stormed heaven with prayers.

As fathers, we need to do two things for the salvation of souls who are not known to us. One, pray for an increased fervor of missionary activity in the Church. Two, form our children in the faith and encourage them to discern God's call to the priesthood or religious life.

We must fear to hear St. Francis Xavier's words directed at us: "how many souls are being shut out of heaven and falling into hell, thanks to you!"

Let us do our part, through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier and St. Therese of Lisieux.

Comments

[Dana E Perry]

Good Evening Mr Caulfield,

This is more than a coincidence, because I read the reading today on the divine office by St Francis Xavier. God is good! JMJ