Francis Xavier ... Truly an A-lister!

From Fr Tim Byron SJ, a British Jesuit currently in Manila

The newspapers in the Phillipines have all had David Beckham on the cover the last couple of days.  He is in town to play a game - but is doing impressive work for UNICEF too.  Beckham's LA Galaxy beat the Phillipine National team (the Azkals) 6-1, and as he left the pitch after 70 minutes he handed his shirt to a certain Manny Pacquio who was in the crowd.  It is a testament to Beckham's global appeal that he even seems to outshine Pacquio.  But who outshines Beckham?

Well, for devotion in Asia - Saturday was the feast day of St Francis Xavier - close friend of Ignatius and great missionary to Asia.  His voyages are now legendary - and his popularity as a saint seems to be universal - he is truly an A-Lister! His popularity can be measured by the amount of institutions, schools, parishes, universities, centres that are named after him.  Perhaps an even more impressive legacy is the impact of his name - Xavier is the name of his home 'town' or estate.  Just think about how many people you know who are named after him, Javier - Xavi - Xavier - Javi.

In honour of the feastday - ignoring the big game - we tertians (Jesuits in the third stage of their training) were invited to a special mass and dinner on Saturday night at the Xavier school in Manila.  The highlight of the dinner was the presentation of a painting to the Jesuit Community and College of Francis Xavier.  The benefactors and donors of the painting - the D.Campos family (former students) - were attending an auction of Princess Diana's goods on behalf of the Spencer Family at Christies in London.  This painting of Francis Xavier and Saint Ignatius with the Madonna and child caught their eye, it is an original by Pacceco de Rosa and it was bought at an auction.  A commemorative postcard given to us said May we have the burning zeal to bring everyone to the Lord.

The Devotion to Francis in Asia transcends religious groups.  I still have fond memories of taking a group of students from Wimbledon to Goa.  We were given permission to celebrate mass in the beautiful Jesuit Church (and UNESCO site) the Bom Jesu - but had to wait about half an hour.  The reason we had to wait was that a Japanese goverment minister was visting the chapel.  It is a very popular place of pilgrimage in Asia as the chapel holds the glass casket where St Francis's incorrupt body is on display.  The Japanese minister, not a Christian, had travelled all the way to Goa after a ministerial meeting in Dehli just to pay his respects.  The Body of Francis is brought down for veneration every ten years and millions travel to Goa (Christians and non Christians) to venerate this holy man.

Amongst Jesuits, Xavier is treasured for many reasons, his successful missionary work, his capacity of inculturation, the beautiful letters written to Ignatius and distributed throughout Europe.  He was sent by Ignatius to the 'Indies' as a last-minute replacement for Bobadilla, who had suddenly fallen ill.  The very next day he packed up his things to leave Rome for Lisbon never to see Europe or his beloved Ignatius again.  This freedom of spirit, 'availability for mission' and generosity is what we Jesuits are asked to live up to.