St. Francis Xavier was born in 1506 in Navarre Spain, the son of a noble Basque family. He was one of the seven founding members of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. Francis is one of the Church's most illustrious missionaries having traveled to and labored in western India, the island of Ceylon, Malacca, Molucca Islands, Island of Mindanao (Philippines), and Japan. In 1552 he started on a voyage to China but died on Sancian Island. He is known as the patron saint of foreign missions.
Origami Club Christmas page - great animated folding instructions Prayer on his Feast Day (Dec. 3) Lord Jesus, You have sent us to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, and have promised to always remain with us. Look upon this family gathered on the feast day of St. Francis Xavier. Pour out the abundance of your Spirit upon each one of our brothers and sisters especially on those who are called to ponder upon the journey made and to plan what has still to be done, so that we may offer a more authentic service to mission. Grant that we may ever be faithful to the Gospel and to give an answer to the hopes which the world places before your church today. Stay with us, Lord, when we gather around the table of your Bread and your Word, and when we walk the paths of the world side by side with our brothers and sisters. Grant that we all find ourselves in heaven, our homeland, after having been members of the same family on earth. Amen. Because of our Basque heritage, St. Francis Xavier is a special saint to our family and for us a very important feast day in the liturgical calendar. We have celebrated his feast day in the past with making origami ornaments for our Advent tree, representing his missionary work in Japan. Here are a few links to sites that can get you started on some origami ornaments of your own.