Light from the Altar - Saint Francis Xavier, 3 December

Think you see a torch burning. The bright, eager flame lights and warms a great circle around it. The blaze struggles heavenward, the burning spreads downwards steadily, quickly consuming the dark pine and turning its every fibre into glowing fire. Such a torch might stand for a symbol of Saint Francis Xavier. His was a short career compared to that of some of the workers in our Lord's vineyard. At twenty-one he was an ambitious youth seeking a career of fame; at thirty-five he sailed for the Indies; at forty-six he died. But work is not counted by years. We know his story well: how at Paris he met the grave-faced, elderly Ignatius, with his earnest soul and burning zeal; how he heard from those saintly lips Christ's words re-echoed: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?" bow, long unheeded, they at last sank into the young man's thoughts and made him reflect seriously. Then we remember that wonderful retreat out of which Francis came a changed man, with God's most precious gift, the gift of wisdom. Later we see him at Venice kissing the wounds of the sick, letting his lips to their ulcerous sores, watching by their bedsides at night, waiting upon them all day. Then comes that call to India - a mere chance, men would say, but in reality a reward of daily fidelity. From the moment Francis set sail for the far East to the last hour of his life, he lived in the practice of heroic sanctity. Think of hiss life on board a ship where the accommodation was scanty, the food bad, the drink poisonous. There were a thousand on board, a wicked company of people, mostly fiery children of the South. All these Francis took to his heart, instructed, served, and amused, adapting his manner to the humor of each, winning all hearts and driving from them evil desires and sin.

After thirteen months of the open sea, Francis landed at Goa, his first goal. This town was then peopled by heathens and bad Christians, and these he completely converted. With bell in hand he paced the streets, calling the children, the curious, the pious to his catechism lessons. Parents followed the little ones, and were won from their evil ways. None could resist the zeal of the saint. But not by word of mouth alone did he convert the sinner. He lived on rice and water, slept three hours, and prayed the rest of the dark night. The whole day long he worked for souls, seeking them out, visiting them in the prisons and hospitals, hearing confessions, and preaching in the open streets. In a short time the wicked city would hardly have been recognized. But, like our Lord himself, one city could not suffice his zeal; to other cities was he called. Well may we look with astonishment at the countries traversed by Saint Francis Xavier. Down the coast to the pearl fisheries to convert the Paravas' poor neglected fishermen; into Travancore, where he baptized ten thousand with his own hand, and where he was called, with touching simplicity, "The Great Father" - great because he had the gifts of tongues, and Father because of his paternal love for his children. From Travancore he sailed to Malacca, touched on the isles of Bonda, visited Ceylon and Japan, returning frequently to Goa, to revisit his new converts on the way, and strengthen them in the faith. Still his big heart was not satisfied. Merchants had penetrated into China for the sake of barter; none had gone for the sake of Christ. Francis Xavier set out, notwithstanding the admonitions of friends and the scorn of enemies. But God was pleased with His servant's good will and called him Home before he could fulfill his purpose. Upon the Island of Sancion, on the way to China, in a fisherman's hut with a young boy for nurse, Francis Xavier yielded up his soul to God.

No room here to speak of the wonderful miracles of the Saint - the dead raised to life, the lepers cured, the gift of tongues; nor of the marvellous incorruption of his holy remains. Only time to look into the eager, loving heart. Was Saint Francis well treated by the Master he served so nobly, to whom without reserve he devoted his days and nights, his soul and body and mind? Read his life and letters and see; listen to the facts related there. Xavier's Master overwhelmed him with divine favors. "Enough, enough!" he was heard to exclaim as his heart dilated and his weak human nature could scarcely bear the heavenly delights. In the midst of an awful storm at sea, when every man on board trembled with fear, Francis felt the elation of one rapt out of himself. By his simple prayer, "Great God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost have mercy on us," the ship's crew and cargo were saved. Not by sleep was Francis' body refreshed, but by prayer, rest with our Lord Himself. No human being unaided could have lived through such labors, hardships, mortifications; nor did Saint Francis. It was Christ living in him that made all things possible. And this intimacy with our Lord had place here on earth, in the midst of innumerable distractions, voyages, crowds, toil. Here, when weighed down by his body, he was, yet so free in spirit: what will it be now in: eternity, when he sees his Lord face to face? The Saints serve a good Master!

Saint Francis Xavier, glorious Apostle and Lover of Christ, pray for us!

- taken from Light from the Altar, edited by Father James J McGovern, 1906