description Relic of St. Francis Xavier's Arm (Rome) Overview
The relic of Saint Francis Xavier's right forearm is preserved and displayed in the Church of the Gesù in Rome. Francis Xavier was a prominent 16th-century Jesuit missionary who co-founded the religious order and conducted extensive evangelical work in Asia. The preserved arm is venerated because it was the limb he reportedly used to baptize tens of thousands of converts, while the remainder of his remains are enshrined in Goa, India.
insights Ranking position
Relic of St. Francis Xavier's Arm (Rome) ranks #363 of 614 in the Relic ranking, behind Relics of St. Nicholas (San Nicolò al Lido, Venice), ahead of Mildenhall Great Dish.
help Relic of St. Francis Xavier's Arm (Rome) FAQ
Why is Francis Xavier's arm in Rome while his body is in Goa?
Most of Xavier's body is enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India. His right forearm was removed in 1614 and sent to Il Gesù, the Jesuits' principal church in Rome.
Which part of Francis Xavier's arm is displayed at Il Gesù?
The relic is the missionary's right forearm, traditionally associated with blessing and baptizing converts. It is housed in a silver reliquary at an altar dedicated to Xavier.
What did Francis Xavier do before the arm became a relic?
Xavier was a founding member of the Society of Jesus and conducted missions across Portuguese Asia, including India, Malacca and Japan. He died in 1552 while attempting to reach mainland China.
Is the Francis Xavier arm relic always at the Gesù Church?
Il Gesù is its permanent home, although the relic has occasionally traveled for major Catholic observances. For example, it toured multiple Canadian cities in early 2018 before returning to Rome.
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