St Francis Xavier's spiritual journey began ... that reflect the unique cultural flavours of each region. In Japan, where Xavier first brought Christianity, the faithful remember his efforts ...

Born in the Castle of Xavier near Sanguesa, in Navarre, on April 7, 1506. Francis Xavier ... went further east and made it all the way to Japan where he established Christian communities.

While such claims are debatable, documents show that the Portuguese, who established the sea route to Asia in 1498, introduced Catholic faith in Japan in 1543. The arrival of St. Francis Xavier ...