Saint Francis Xavier

I was born in Spain in 1506. Almost twenty years later, I went to study at the University of Paris. There I encountered Ignatius of Loyola, who experienced a religious conversion whilst recovering from a war wound. I was inspired by his example. After following a long path together, I joined him in founding the Society of Jesus in 1534. Three years later, I was ordained a priest. We wanted to visit the Holy Land, but the battle between Venice and the Ottoman Empire made the trip impossible. Instead, I went to Rome to offer my services to the Pope. Impressed by the Jesuits, the king of Portugal asked for missionaries to work in his empire. As I was sent out to proclaim the Gospel, I started my life as a missionary. Among other places, I went to preach in Portugal, many cities of India, Japan and Malaysia. I then desired  to go to China, but I got sick and died at the age of 46 before reaching mainland China.