UPSC Prelims 2021 Q39: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1,2 and3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
St. Francis Xavier: Facts and Fiction
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Founding member of Jesuit Order | TRUE | Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was one of the seven founding members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) with Ignatius Loyola in Paris, 1534. Officially founded 1540 by Pope Paul III. |
| 2 | Died in Goa, church dedicated to him there | FALSE | Xavier DIED at Shangchuan Island, off China, on 3 December 1552. His body was later moved to Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa (where his relics are venerated), but he did NOT die in Goa. |
| 3 | Feast of St. Francis Xavier celebrated in Goa annually | TRUE | The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on 3 December each year in Goa (Old Goa, Basilica of Bom Jesus). His body is exposited every 10 years - most recent exposition 2024-25. |
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is partly wrong (died in China, not Goa). Answer: (c).
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong - Xavier died at Shangchuan Island (off China), not in Goa. His body was later moved to Goa.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 wrongly claims he died in Goa.
- (c) CORRECT. Statements 1 (founding Jesuit member with Loyola, Paris 1534) and 3 (Feast on 3 December in Goa) are correct. Statement 2 is wrong - Xavier died in China (1552), his body moved to Goa's Basilica of Bom Jesus later.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is factually wrong about place of death.
Key point
St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) = founding Jesuit (Paris 1534, with Loyola). Died on Shangchuan Island (off China, 1552), NOT in Goa. Body moved to Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa. Feast on 3 December annually.
Remember
St. Francis Xavier was a founding member of the Society of Jesus (with Ignatius Loyola, Paris 1534, statement 1 correct) and his Feast is celebrated in Goa each year on 3 December (statement 3 correct). He DIED at Shangchuan Island (China) in 1552 - his body was later moved to Goa's Basilica of Bom Jesus (statement 2 wrong). Answer: (c) 1 and 3.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Xavier died in Goa. He died in China; his relics are in Goa.
- Confusing Society of Jesus founding (7 members, Paris 1534) with formal papal approval (1540).
- Not knowing the 10-yearly exposition of Xavier's body at Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa.
Exam tip
St. Francis Xavier facts: (a) co-founded Jesuits with Ignatius Loyola (Paris, 1534), (b) missionary to India (Goa, 1542), Japan (1549), China (attempted); (c) died Shangchuan Island, China (1552); (d) body enshrined at Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa; (e) Feast on 3 December.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Francis Xavier (Biography)
- Society of Jesus - Official History