This week in Christian history: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Francis Xavier, George Mueller

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

Francis Xavier sets sail for India – April 7, 1541

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), a missionary who helped found the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.
Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), a missionary who helped found the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. | (Photo: Public Domain)

This week marks the anniversary of when Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, began his mission to India, setting sail from Portugal.

Falling on the same day as his 35th birthday, Xavier was responding to a call by King John III of Portugal, who wanted Jesuits to go to the region to help with mission work.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

Xavier landed in Goa in 1542 and was active in preaching, celebrating Mass, and hearing confessions, as well as doing charitable work.

“Francis also worked with the poor who were considered undesirable due to the caste system. He used songs and religious icons to teach since he did not know the language,” noted a Jesuit website.

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

$25/month$50/quarter$100/yearOne-time

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.

Most Popular

More Articles