NABOKV-L post 0010808, Wed, 15 Dec 2004 19:49:24 -0800

----- Forwarded message from chaiselongue@earthlink.net -----
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 11:44:53 -0800
From: Carolyn <chaiselongue@earthlink.net>


Dear Charles X,

The Xavier in Kinbote's name is complementary to John Shade's middle name of
Francis. There is a movie critic I hear on a local radio station named "F.
X. Sweeney" who goes by the moniker
"F. X." - - another Francis Xavier. They are all named after the Spanish
Saint, friend of Ignatius Loyola and one of the founders of the Jesuits.
Below you can read as much as you'd want to regarding St. Francis Xavier:

FRANCIS XAVIER
Also known as
Apostle to the Far East
Memorial
3 December
Profile
Nobleman from the Basque reqion. Studied and taught philosophy at the
University of Paris, and planned a career as a professor. Friend of Saint
Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the
Gospel. One of the founding Jesuits, and the first Jesuit missionary.
Priest.
In Goa, while waiting to take ship, India, he preached in the street, worked
with the sick, and taught children their catechism. He would walk through
the streets ringing a bell to call the children to their studies. Said to
have converted the entire city.
He scolded his patron, King John of Portugal, over the slave trade: "You
have no right to spread the Catholic faith while you take away all the
country's riches. It upsets me to know that at the hour of your death you
may be ordered out of paradise."
Tremendously successful missionary for ten years in India, the East Indies,
and Japan, baptizing more than 40,000. His epic finds him dining with head
hunters, washing sores of lepers in Venice, teaching catechism to Indian
children, baptizing 10,000 in a single month. He tolerated the most
appalling conditions on long sea voyages, enduring extremes of heat and
cold. Wherever he went he would seek out and help the poor and forgotten. He
traveled thousands of miles, most on his bare feet, and he saw the greater
part of the Far East. Had the gift of tongues. Miracle worker. Raised people
from the dead. Calmed storms. Prophet. Healer.
Born
1506 at Javier, Spanish Navarre
Died
2 December 1552 at Sancian, China of a fever contracted on a mission journey
Beatified
25 October 1619 by Pope Paul V
Canonized
12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
Patronage
African missions; diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana; Apostleship of Prayer;
Australia; black missions; archdiocese of Bombay, India; Borneo; China;
diocese of Dinajpur, Bangladesh; East Indies; Fathers of the Precious Blood;
foreign missions; Freising, Germany; Goa India; diocese of
Green Bay, Wisconsin; India; archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indiana; Japan;
diocese of Joiliet, Illinois; missionaries;
Missioners of the Precious Blood; missions, black; missions, foreign;
missions, parish; Navarre, Spain; navigators; New Zealand; parish missions;
plague epidemics; Propagation of the Faith
Representation
crucifix; preacher carrying a flaming heart; bell; globe; vessel; young
bearded Jesuit in the company of Saint Ignatius Loyola; young bearded Jesuit
with a torch, flame, cross and lily

----- End forwarded message -----