Xavier, what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul' (Mt. 16:26). This warning of Our Lord‘s was given to Francis Xavier by Ignatius of Loyola, who added these words: «Consider well that the world is a master who does not keep its promises. And even if it were to keep its promises to you, your heart would never be satisfied. But suppose that it were satisfied, how long would your happiness last? In any case, could it last longer than your life? And when you die, what will you take to eternity? What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul'» Little by little, this maxim entered Francis Xavier‘s heart and deeply marked it. Thus began a process that would make him one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church.

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