Our Story

The college takes its name from St Francis Xavier, a Jesuit priest who evangelised Asia and the Pacific. Together with Mary Help of Christians, he is the patron saint of Australia. St Francis studied at the University of Paris where he met St Ignatius of Loyola and became one of the seven who founded the Society of Jesus – the Jesuits. They believed that God was to be found in all things and that the world must be stayed in, not withdrawn from and that all human endeavour could be sanctified for the greater glory of God. St Francis is considered to be one of the greatest missionaries and evangelists of the Church. In naming the college, Archbishop John Bathersby noted the significance of the evangelising role that the college would assume in the lives of all who are influenced by its presence in Hervey Bay.