St. Francis Xavier was a zealous missionary well-known for his untiring apostolate, especially in India and Japan.

To communicate in foreign countries, he had to learn more than just their languages. He familiarized himself with their way of life - their customs, tastes, and so on. All this knowledge was essential in bringing God to these people in a way that would be effective and meaningful to them. Like the best of teachers, Francis had the skill and grace of adapting his methods as needed to best reach the souls around him.

In India, the saint dressed as a beggar, so as to better blend in among the people. One method he used to implant the Faith in their memories was to set Gospel verses to the melodies of their popular songs. These instructional tunes were enjoyed and repeated by his listeners, and spread throughout the region.

Having traveled to Japan he learned, as expected, that the people there would not be influenced by the same methods he had used to convert the Indian people.

Instead of using humble clothing to endear himself, he found that more people wanted to speak with him if he looked like a man of wealth and importance. So he went around wearing fine robes, with his fellow missionaries pretending to be his servants. Francis became so popular even among the officials that they let him utilize an unused Buddhist temple in his ministries.

And so St. Francis Xavier discovered the methods of a missionary are varied, unique and critically important. He has to do more than simply recite the Faith to a foreign audience. In order to reach souls, the missionary must learn the ways that will touch their hearts. Only then can he bring people from vastly different cultures to the one God Who created and loves them all.