Saint Francis of Xavier, born Francisco de Jaso y Azpilcueta (April 7, 1506, Javier, Spain – December 3, 1552 AD, Shangchuan Island, China) was a spanish pioneering Roman Catholic missionary of navarrese origin. He was a student of Saint Ignatius Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who dedicated themselves to the service of God at Montmarte in 1534.

He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Asian Portuguese empire of the time. He was influential in the spreading and upkeep of Catholicism most notably in India (in Goa), but also ventured into Japan, Borneo, the Malaccas, and other areas which had thus far not been colonized. In these areas, being a pioneer and struggling to learn the local language of the indigenous people in the face of opposition, he had less success.

During the festival, which lasts for several days either side of the feast day itself, thousands of followers gather at the Bom Jesus Basilica to celebrate mass and to get in line with fellow devotees to kiss the relics of St Francis that are held there.

Francis Xavier is a Catholic saint. He was beatified by Paul V on 25 October 1619 and was canonized by Gregory XV on 12 March 1622 at the same time as Ignatius Loyola. He is considered to be a patron saint of Roman Catholic missionaries in foreign lands. His feast day is 3 December.

Masses begin as early as 4am, with the solemn High Mass celebrated mid-morning. Later the visitors move on to the Old Goa fair, one of the largest in the region.