Who was Francis Xavier? He was a man on a mission. Francis was one of the first seven Jesuits—a founding member of the order. After taking his vows in 1534, he was instrumental in establishing Catholicism across India, Japan, and the Malay Archipelago. He baptized thousands of people and is co-patron of all missionaries across the world. 

We aren’t all called to travel across the world and preach the Gospel, but we are all called to have an incredible impact on the world around us. But how? Ask one question: God, what do you think I should do?

Francis asked this question. Will you? 

Sometimes when we talk about the saints we make the mistake of thinking that they were different from us. They were not. To be a saint is to decide for God and with God. We make decisions every day. Some of them are large but most of them are small. But when was the last time you sat down with the Divine Architect and asked, God, what do you think I should do in this situation with my spouse? When was the last time you sat down with the Divine Navigator and asked, God, what do you think I should do in this situation at work? When your kids come to you to talk about what they are thinking of doing with their lives, do you just ask them what they want to do? Or do you ask them what they feel God is calling them to?

This world is full of happy people and miserable people. What’s the difference? A sense of mission.

People who are passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic about life have a sense of mission in their lives. They are not living their lives in the selfish pursuit of pleasure or possessions. They are living out a mission, and through that mission, they are making a difference in other people’s lives. What’s your mission? How will you discover your mission? Perhaps the first realization is you don’t choose a mission—you get sent on a mission.

Ready to discover your mission? Just start asking the big question. God, what do you think I should do? In the moments of the day ask the question. In your daily prayer, ask the question. Make this one question a constant part of your inner dialogue, and your life will start to change.



Feast Day: December 3

Feast Day Shared By: St. Abbo, St. Agricola, St. Attalia, St. Birinus, St. Cassian of Tangier, and Bl. Edward Coleman

Patron Saint of: Catholic Missions, Foreign Missions, and Missionaries

Symbols: A Staff, a Ship, and a Globe

Canonized: March 12, 1622

Canonized By: Pope Gregory XV