Genoa to Buenos Aires: December 3rd

Welcome, Catholic Pilgrims, to another day in the Mediterranean Sea with Mother Cabrini. Today, in the readings, it is the feast day of St. Francis Xavier. Mother is very excited to celebrate because St. Francis Xavier is who she modeled her name after. Remember, St. Francis Cabrini wanted to go to the East, like he did.  St. Francis Xavier was born on April 7th, 1506, so he was born 344 years before Mother Cabrini. He was Spanish and is one of the founders of the Jesuits. He was encouraged to become a priest by St. Ignatius of Loyola.  He was sent to India because Portugal was colonizing India and the Portuguese there were losing their faith or not living up to it. So, St. Francis Xavier went as the Papal Nuncio to India in 1541. It was not an easy time for him there. He had to deal with government officials that didn't like him being there. He was upset by the poor moral lives of many Catholics living in the area. And he had to build a lot of churches which wasn't easy. He died in China on December 3rd, 1552 from being ill with fever. He is buried in India.  He has a fascinating story as a missionary and he most definitely met with many struggles and hardships in his time. It's not surprising Mother Cabrini looks to him as a model to imitate as a missionary herself.  Let's hear about her time today as we turn to page 250.