I will admit that when I was first contacted for this commission, it didn't immediately jog inspiration. I wasn't overly familiar with Saint Francis Xavier and he hadn't been on my radar as far as paintings I was planning on doing in the near future. But God had other ideas—within the space of a few weeks, his name came up unexpectedly several times, affirming that this was a painting I was supposed to do. His feast day passed, for one, and at the end of prayers one normal Rosary Group meeting, a friend asked for his intercession—not anyone else, just Francis, even though we almost never do the intercession of the saints. I can take a hint!

As I researched into his life a little more, I became captivated by his passion and enthusiasm. I borrowed the novel Set all Afire by Louis de Wohl and I officially fell in love with this incredible saint.