Page "Francis Xavier" Paragraph 4

In 1525, Francis went to study at the Collège Sainte-Barbe in Paris.

There he met Ignatius of Loyola, who became his faithful companion, and Pierre Favre.

While at the time he seemed destined for academic success in the line of his noble family, Xavier turned to a life of Catholic missionary service.

Together with Loyola and five others, he founded the Society of Jesus: on 15 August 1534, in a small chapel in Montmartre, they made vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and also vowed to convert the Muslims in the Middle East ( or, failing this, carry out the wishes of the Pope ).

Francis went, with the rest of the members of the newly papal-approved Jesuit order, to Venice to be ordained to the priesthood, which took place on 24 June 1537.

Towards the end of October, the seven companions reached Bologna, where they worked in the local hospital.

After that, he served for a brief period in Rome as Ignatius ' secretary.