1. St. Francis Xavier and the Missionary Church
Sent to the World for the Greater Glory of God

2. Christianity in the world today

3. Early History of Missions
The Apostolic Period
The Twelve, St. Paul, and others mentioned in Gospels associated with traditional missions from Spain (St. James) to India (St. Thomas); Ukraine (St. Andrew) to Ethiopia (St. Matthew)

4. Early History of Missions
The Middle Ages
Missionary monasticism throughout Europe
E.g. St. Patrick (Ireland), Augustine of Canterbury (England), St. Boniface (Germany), Sts. Cyril & Methodius (Slavs)

5. Christendom in 1500 Christianity in 1500 was beleaguered
In east by Ottoman incursions on Hapsburg Holy Roman Empire
Internally through rising discontent with abuse of power and prestige
Few elements to unite members of faith in common cause
Rising discontent takes form in 1. secular humanism of the Renaissance and 2. Protestant Reformation

6. A New world
Age of Exploration opening with the Portuguese navigators and Spanish crown conquistadors create new opportunities for Christian expansion
With each voyage of a Catholic-sponsored explorer, missionary priests follow
First Franciscans and Dominicans
To West Indies and Mexico with Spanish; Africa, India, and East Indies with Portuguese
Later Jesuits would follow under both flags with greater success
Methods shift from importing European culture carrying Christian doctine to inculturation of Christian doctrine into local customs and language
INCULTURATION = dynamic relationship or living exchange b/w Gospel and local cultures, mutually transforming expression

7. Missons – sent forth Major Events in Christianity - 16th Century
Christianity takes root in outposts of traders and locals living in ports
Usually more popular among the disenfranchised with little to lose from self-exclusion from society
Some missionaries, like DeNobili and Ricci have success with elite and intelligensia through adaptation and inculturation
By 1600, Christianity has outpost communities on 5 of 7 continents with rapidly growing numbers of adherents to faith
Localization of communities results in leadership growth in some areas (India, SE Asia) and European hierarchy in others (Africa, Japan)

8. Examples of Non-Western Christianity
Christianity in India has roots as deep as 2nd century tradition, with several re-encounters through missions from Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant communities
Japanese Christianity is limited to small, but very devout population today after repression of centuries
African Christianity flourishes as location of greatest growth in the world

9. Francis Xavier
Website with full interactive history, maps, reflection, achievements of St. Francis Xavier

10. Journey of Francis Xavier