St. Francis Xavier, was the closest friend of St. Ignatius Loyola. St. Ignatius Loyola was the founder of the SOCIETY OF JESUS. ST. Francis Xavier was born in 1506, was the fifth and youngest of the children of, noble, wealthy and pious parents, having a castle in the Basque region of northern Spain.
He left home at the age of nineteen years for studies and after he completed his preliminary course of studies, then went to the University of Paris. He earned a degree in Philosophy (Master of Arts). He even went on to learn THEOLOGY after teaching Philosophy as a subject for four years.
While he was studying at the University, he met a fellow student named Ignatius Loyola, who influenced his life and thinking a lot. In August of 1534, along with Ignatius and five others pronounced vows together. Francis Xavier and Ignatius were ordained priests in 1537.
The year following his ordination Francis Xavier went to Rome shared his thoughts and had discussions which led to the formal founding of the SOCIETY. The name of the society was SOCIETY OF JESUS where he served as the secretary till he left for his missionary work in 1541 to INDIA.
Thus started the journey of ST FRANCIS XAVIER TO THE WORLD.