How One Saint Defied Odds to Unite India’s Pearl Fishing Community

Among Saint Francis Xavier many remarkable missions is his work with the Paravas, a community of pearl fishers along India’s southeastern coast. This mission reflects the depth of his commitment to spreading the Christian faith, often against formidable odds. 

Francis Xavier had heard a lot about the situation of the Parava community even before beginning his journey to Goa. The Paravas had been nominally converted to Christianity by the Franciscans, but had lapsed back to their pagan ways due to neglect and a lack of sustained pastoral care. Worse, they were enduring exploitation and misery under corrupt Portuguese officials, despite being rescued earlier from Moorish persecution by the Portuguese governor, Martim Afonso de Sousa. St. Xavier was deeply troubled by all that he had heard about the Paravas and decided to reach out to them. Just five months after his arrival in Goa in 1542, he set sail for Southern India, with an aim to renew the faith of this marginalized community. 

When he began his mission with the Paravas, he faced several challenges. The Paravas, distrustful of foreigners after their ill-treatment, lived in a milieu utterly foreign to Francis, who neither knew their Tamil language nor had a guide to navigate their world. Yet, his deep faith propelled him forward. Over two years, he trudged tirelessly from village to village under the scorching sun and relentless rains, enduring the harsh environment with little more than an umbrella and unwavering resolve. His humility and willingness to live on rice, pepper, and occasional fish, the simple diet of the Paravas, endeared him deeply to the community. 

Despite communication posing a significant challenge for Francis, he was not deterred in his mission. He relied on interpreters and painstakingly learned Tamil prayers. His innovative methods, such as ringing a bell to gather villagers and teaching them to pray twice daily, created a sense of unity and faith. Children, in particular, became his beloved followers, drawn to the “white swami” who saw in them the hope of a Christian future. 

Francis’ reputation as a miracle worker also played a crucial role in winning the trust of the Paravas. At Tiruchendur, a prayer by him reportedly saved a child who was gravely ill. This miracle convinced many from the community to embrace Christianity despite opposition from local leaders. Yet, St. Francis humbly dismissed such miracles as mere coincidences, focusing instead on his relentless mission of baptizing and instructing thousands. In one extraordinary month in Travancore, he baptized over 10,000 people. 

Despite the challenges he faced, Francis Xavier ensured the continuity of his mission with the Parava community. He appointed local deputies to maintain Christian practices in his absence and later employed paid catechists to instruct the community. To fund the salaries of the catechists, he famously persuaded the Queen of Portugal to donate her “slipper money” from the pearl fisheries, a poignant example of his resourcefulness and dedication. 

By the end of his mission, the Christian faith was firmly rooted among the Paravas. Their unwavering commitment endured even through later persecutions, a testament to Francis Xavier’s transformative impact. As pilgrims gather in Goa to venerate the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, the story of his work with the Paravas stands as a beacon of faith, compassion, and perseverance, inspiring generations to come.

By Steve Antao