December 3 is the Feast Day of the great Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552), well known as the Apostle of the Far East. For over ten years he labored and suffered as a missionary for Christ. Beginning his work in India, he traveled to many countries and islands in Asia and the coastal Pacific - baptizing thousands and firmly planting the Catholic Faith into the hearts and souls of all. He continued on to Japan, and so deeply was the Catholic Faith rooted there by St. Francis that, when the bloody persecution broke out against Catholics in 1587, countless Japanese Catholics gave their lives for Jesus Christ and received the glorious crown of martyrdom. Through his burning love for God, this one great Saint accomplished in a single decade the work of many men and numerous lifetimes.

As would be expected in the life of any Saint, there were many incredible incidents which took place throughout St. Francis’ life. One which was truly remarkable occurred as he voyaging to an island called Baramura. His companion, Faustus Rodriguez, a Portuguese, as well as seven other eye-witnesses, attested to it on oath. Faustus Rodriguez tells us in his own words exactly what he saw happen:

"Father Francis, John Raposa, and I were sailing in a carracca, (a vessel peculiar to these countries, and but ill qualified to resist a storm,) when suddenly a terrible tempest arose, and the sailors, though natives and accustomed to these coasts, gave themselves up for lost. But Father Francis, taking off his crucifix, which he always wears suspended at his breast, and leaning over the side of the vessel, dipped the cross into the sea; whereupon the storm immediately ceased. Unfortunately, by some means or other, the cord either slipped from his fingers or became unfastened; for the crucifix disappeared in the waves.

Great was the consternation of the holy father, who appeared inconsolable at his loss. On the following day we landed on the isle of Baramura, and from thence passed on to the territory of Talem, whither the ship was bound. Twenty-four hours intervened between the loss of the crucifix and our landing, and during the whole of this time the sea had been rough.

On disembarking, Father Francis and I walked along the shore in the direction of Talem, and had proceeded about fire hundred paces, when we both saw a crab issue from the sea, carrying the identical crucifix upright, securely fixed in its claws. The creature made its way toward Francis, I being at the time close at his side. The father knelt down, and the crab remained quite quiet before him until he had taken away the cross, when it turned round and was soon lost sight of in the sea. After repeatedly kissing his lost treasure, he remained as he was, with his arms crossed on his breast, in prayer for a full half-hour, I gladly joining with him in returning thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for this striking miracle. Then, rising up, we pursued our journey."