UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

Consider the following statements:

1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
2. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
3. The Feast of St. Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
   
   

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Explanation:

• St. Francis Xavier was the most significant Roman Catholic missionary of modern times who was instrumental in the establishment of Christianity in India, Japan, and the Malay Archipelago.
  
  

• He was one of the founders of the Jesuit order, at the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  

• He died from a fever in Shangchuan, Taishan, China, on 3 December 1552. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  

• The feast of Saint Francis Xavier is one of the most important festivals of the state of Goa. The saint is affectionately called “Goencho Saib”. The feast has been celebrated every year on the 3rd of December for the past 500 years to mark the death anniversary of the saint. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Important Personalities