CHAPTER V - XAVIER A DIRECTOR OF JESUIT MISSIONS IN THE EAST, AND A ROYAL COMMISSIONER FROM THE KING OF PORTUGAL

Summary

Xaviers direction and management of the Jesuit Missions in the East

Xavier, upon his return from the Spice Islands, remained fifteen months in India. His time was occupied by the direction of a numerous body of Jesuit Missionaries who had followed him to India, and over whom he was invested with supreme authority. He spent some time at Goa; he visited the new Viceroy at Bassein; he went, probably twice, to inspect the work amongst the Comorin Christians. His correspondence during this period consists of six long letters to friends in Europe, and four letters to friends in India, together with five elaborate letters of instructions to brother Missionaries. To these may be added several letters to Europe, written subsequently from Malacca, respecting the events and employments of this visit to India.

Xavier had at this time under his direction more than twenty Jesuit Associates, whom he placed out in the various stations which he had selected for them. The stations were the most important Portuguese settlements in the sea route from the Cape of Good Hope to the Spice Islands, namely, Socotra, at the entrance of the Red Sea; Ormuz, in the Persian Gulf; Goa, the capital of the Indian empire ; Cape Comorin; Malacca; and the Moluccas. He secured to the Jesuits the direction of the great Missionary College at Goa, with its provision for one hundred native students in divinity : more Missionaries were on their way to India, and he had the prospect of soon acquiring possession of the Missionary colleges at Cranganore, in Western India, and Ternate, in the Moluccas.