Born in the Castle of Xavier in the Kingdom of Navarra [now a Province of Spain] on 7th April, 1506; died on the Island of Sancian near the coast of China, on 2nd December, 1552. In 1525, having completed a preliminary course of studies in his country, Francis Xavier went to Paris where he entered the college of Sainte Barbe. Here he met Saint Ignatius of Loyola. On 24th June, 1537, Francis Xavier received the Holy Order of Priesthood along with Saint Ignatius. The following year he went to Rome. On 7th April, 1541, Francis Xavier left for India on a sailing ship. This was a dangerous voyage and he landed at Goa on 6th May, 1542. He spent his time preaching and ministering to the sick. Francis Xavier also visited Tamil Nadu and Ceylon. In the spring of 1545, Francis Xavier left for Malacca, China, Japan, and other places. In 1547, he had to return to Goa as his Society demanded his presence.
In April, 1552, he left Goa for China. After enduring many hardships, he landed at Santa Cruz, a small island of Sancian near the coast of China. Whilst planning to reach the mainland, he fell ill on November 21. His journey by ship aggravated his illness, so he was moved to land where a crude hut was built to shelter him. In these poor surroundings, he breathed his last on 2nd December, 1552. [He was then 46 years, 7 months and 26 days old of which 10 years, 7 months were spent in Asia].
He was canonized on 12th March, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV along with Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Isidore of Madrid[1080-1130], Saint Philip Neri [1515-1595], and Saint Teresa of Avila [1515-1582]. However, Pope Gregory XV died before he could issue the customary Decreeof Canonization. His successor, Pope Urban VIII hastened to do so on 6th August, 1623. The news reached Goa on 11th May, 1623.
The body of Saint Francis Xavier remained fresh for nearly 125 years after his death. Now, we no longer refer to the remains as “BODY” but only the relics of the body. It is enclosed in a glass case and kept for veneration on the Florentine Mausoleum set up in 1698. The Church of Jesus [now referred to as “Bom Jesu” or Good Jesus] was built by the Jesuits [1594-1605]. The third home of the Jesuits in the City of Goa now called Old Goa. The Holy remains are in this Church Bom Jesu. Saint Francis Xavier is considered the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles.
The Hand of Saint Francis Xavier
After Francis Xavier’s death in 1552, he was buried once off the coast of China and again in Malaysia, for a period of almost two years, before being transferred to the Basilica of Bom Jesu in Goa, India – one of his key missionary sites. Each time his body was exhumed, no natural decomposition had taken place, making Francis Xavier an incorrupt saint.
The Order of Jesuits in Rome requested to have Saint Francis Xavier’s right arm brought to them, as he was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Church. The right forearm, which Francis Xavier used to bless and baptize his people, was detached by Superior General, Claudio Acquaviva, in 1614. It has been displayed since in a silver reliquary at the main Jesuit Church in Rome, called Church of Gesù.
Crab with Crucifix
Once, Saint Francis Xavier was travelling by ship to Japan. There was a fierce storm and his ship was tossed about. Saint Francis Xavier prayed for the storm to subside and he dipped the Crucifix, which he had with him, in the water. Whilst doing this, the Crucifix slipped from his hand into the water. The storm subsided and the sea was calm. One day, while he was walking on the shores of Malacca, he noticed a crab with a crucifix in its claws. He was astonished to see it was the same Crucifix that had fallen from his hands into the sea. He picked up the Crucifix and made the Sign of the Cross on the crab. That is why sometimes, one comes across crabs with the Sign of the Cross and two candles on either side of the Cross.
Miraculous water from the well at Old Goa
[Old Goa College of Saint Paul]
The Church of Saint Paul once belonged to Saint Paul’s College, whose Superior was Saint Francis Xavier, is now in ruins. At the side of this faҫade is a lane where one can see a Chapel. On the right side of this Chapel is the well.
In spite of the fact that Saint Paul’s college and the Church were reduced to ruins, the Chapel remained along with the well.
The Portuguese Government repaired it in 1859 and rebuilt it in 1884. The water from the well on the Eastern side seems to be miraculous. Pilgrims go there to drink the water and to bathe. Some carry bottles of water home.
In 1974, the well was cleaned. In spite of the water being dirty, yet those who consumed that water never suffered any ill effects. According to an old lady caretaker, many miracles were witnessed. Several times, people who attempted suicide by jumping into the well, were brought out alive even after three days. In the reflection of the water in the well, one could see a round silver coloured moon and a half pose looking upwards although the water was disturbed when drawing water from this well. This image was visible during the nine days of novenas in honour of Saint Francis Xavier and during the expositions. These testimonies are from people who reside in the surrounding areas.
In commemoration of the fifth Birth Centenary of the Saint, a Mass was started in that Chapel on the 6th of every month from May, 2006.
Public exposition began from 1782 when the Jesuits had to leave their house in 1759. A rumour had spread that the Jesuits had taken away the relics leaving the empty coffin behind. To reassure the public, the authorities decided on a short exposition of four days. So far, there has been a series of expositions. In 1955, the relics were enclosed in a crystal urn and one could touch only the glass. During the 1952 exposition, one could touch his feet.
Previous expositions were held in 1782, 1859, 1878, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1922, 1931, 1942, 1952, 1961, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014.
The XVIII Solemn Exposition of the Relics of Saint Francis Xavier, popularly known as “Goycho Saib” commenced on November 21, 2024 and will end on January 5, 2025.