Antique Bronze Reliquary box of S. Francisco Javier ( Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta )

Antique Bronze Reliquary box of S. Francisco Javier ( Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta )

( S Francisco Javier )

Epoch: 1870’

Size: 7 cm diameter x 2 cm H

Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta; ( April 1506 – 3 December 1552), venerated as Saint Francis Xavier, was a Basque-cleric. He was a Catholic missionary and saint who co-founded the Society of Jesus and, as a representative of the Portuguese Empire, led  the first Christian mission to Japan.

Beatification and canonization

Francis Xavier was beatified by Pope Paul V on 25 October 1619, and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on 12 March 1622, at the same time as Ignatius Loyola. Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the "Patron of Catholic Missions". His feast day is 3 December.