The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on 03 Dec.
Fr. Michael Payyapilly VC, Director of Divine Retreat Centre
Colombo, Sri Lanka challenges each of us in this heart-provoking homily, -
"HOW DO I TREASURE Jesus?".
As we start our Advent in this new liturgical year, this is
most timely to search our hearts for the Light & Love of Jesus to be the
greatest treasure in our lives - and to live passionately for Jesus.
Fr. Michael asks, "Do we have the passion to proclaim
Jesus to the world?"; "Is my passion for Jesus aflame in my
heart as it was in St. Francis Xavier's
heart?"; "How do I treasure Jesus?"
St. Francis Xavier was one of the first Jesuits (Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius of
Loyola) - in fact he was the first Jesuit missionary and is considered the
greatest missionary since the Apostles.
St Francis Xavier brought the Catholic faith to Goa, India and then
to Kerala, India to restore the vibrancy of the Catholic faith that was
introduced by St. Thomas the Apostle. From there, he sailed to Malacca,
Malaysia; to Japan and finally to the small island of Shanghau, China where
he became ill and passed away on 03 December 1552. A great feat of evangelization
in 10 years!
St, Francis Xavier is the patron saint of all foreign
missions. He is known as the "Apostle of the Indies" and the
"Apostle of Japan".
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