The remarkably preserved body of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), the great Jesuit missionary known as the 'Apostle of the Indies,' is enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India.
History
Francis Xavier died on Shangchuan Island off the coast of China in 1552. His body was first buried in quicklime but found incorrupt months later. It was transferred to Malacca and then to Goa in 1554, where it has remained. The body was publicly exposed in 1782 and found to still be in a remarkable state of preservation. Public expositions occur approximately every ten years.
Scientific Investigation
The body has undergone natural desiccation over the centuries but retains its form. The right forearm was detached in 1614 and sent to the Church of the Gesù in Rome. Medical examinations have noted the preservation is unusual given the tropical climate and initial burial in quicklime.
Spiritual Significance
Saint Francis Xavier is one of the greatest missionaries in Church history, baptizing an estimated 30,000 people across Asia. His preserved body is seen as a sign of his extraordinary holiness. He is the patron saint of missionaries and of Goa.
