St. Francis Xavier, one of St. Ignatius Loyola’s closest friends and an original founding companion of the Society of Jesus, is most honored by the Catholic Church, other Christian churches, as well as the Jesuit order for his missionary accomplishments particularly in India, Southeast Asia and Japan. He was born in 1506 in the Basque region of northern Spain. St. Francis was the fifth and youngest child from a noble and wealthy family.

At the age of nineteen, and after completing preliminary course of studies, St. Francis left home for the University of Paris. By thirty years of age, he had earned a Master of Arts degree in philosophy, taught the subject for four years and then studied theology for two years.

While studying at the University, St. Francis met St. Ignatius Loyola, who was a fellow student. St. Ignatius became an increasingly important influence on him. So much so that, despite early reluctance, St. Francis eventually made the Spiritual Exercises under his direction. In August of 1534, he joined St. Ignatius and five other companions in pronouncing vows. Together, St Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Loyola were ordained priests in 1537. In the following year, they went to Rome to share in the discussions that led to the formal founding of the Society of Jesus. Upon approval, St. Francis served as the secretary of the Society until he left for India in 1541.