Portugal year 1950 stamps Saint Francisco Xavier complete set MNH
In 1952, Portugal issued a set of postage stamps commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis Xavier (São Francisco Xavier), a prominent Jesuit missionary known for his evangelization efforts in Asia during the 16th century.
The stamps featured portraits of Saint Francis Xavier, often depicted in traditional religious attire or engaged in missionary activities. The designs also included imagery associated with his missions, such as ships, maps of Asia, and scenes of conversion and baptism.
Saint Francis Xavier was instrumental in spreading Christianity to various parts of Asia, including India, Japan, and Indonesia. His missionary work played a significant role in the expansion of Catholicism during the Age of Discovery and the early stages of European colonialism in Asia.
The issuance of these stamps by Portugal reflected the country’s historical and cultural ties to the Catholic Church, as well as its role in the Age of Discovery and maritime exploration. The stamps served to honor the memory of Saint Francis Xavier and to commemorate his contributions to the spread of Christianity in Asia. They are valued by collectors for their religious significance and historical context.
