But before leaving, a providential meeting took place with Portuguese merchants of great credit: they informed him of some very large islands which were called Japan, where they would bear much fruit in increasing the Catholic faith more than in any part of India, for Be "people eager to know in a great way". With the Portuguese came a Japanese, called Angiro. He came to seek Father Francisco for the news that had been given him by those merchants. They had advised him to come and meet the missionary. He felt the burden of youth sins on himself and wished to obtain God's forgiveness. Having not found Father Francisco in Malacca, he returned to Japan and was about to lose his life in a storm that was already unleashed in sight of land. He returned from Japan on the same ship and this time he found it. He spoke reasonably Portuguese and understood each other perfectly. Ab ungue leonem. "If all the Japanese are," Father Francisco said, "as curious to know as Angiro, it seems to me that these people are more curious than how many lands are discovered."
It had been a few years since the Portuguese had arrived on the shores of Japan, and little was known in Europe about that remote country. It was a discovery for the insatiable Navarrese missionary. The sample was excellent. Angiro frequently went to church, wrote the articles of faith when he heard them in the doctrine, and asked Father Francisco questions. He could not bring him to India, but he was soon to come. Japan, a name that subjugated Father Francisco, a completely different horizon. Angiro was his guide.
Father Francisco was not an explorer but a merchant, eager for new news; Was a missionary. That is why he asked Angiro: "If I went with him to his land, if the Christians of Japan would become Christians." The answer was as mysterious as it was provocative:
Those of their land would not become Christians later, telling me that first they would ask me many questions and see what I answered and what I understood, and above all, if I lived according to what I spoke; And if I did two things, to speak well and to satisfy their questions, and to live without being found to reprove me, that in half a year, after having had experience of me, the King and noble people and all other people of discretion, They would become Christians, saying that they are not people who are governed only by reason.
(...)
What he felt in his soul would be subjected to the discernment of spirits taught by Father Ignatius and from him would emerge the firm determination. In the meantime the Portuguese taught the young Angiro, he was catechized and made him translate his Christian doctrine into Japanese, for he knew "very well to write letters from Japan".
(...)
At the Colegio de Goa he had three Japanese boys from Malacca, of good manners and great ingenuity. Especially one, named Paulo, previously Angiro, who had learned to speak, read and write in Portuguese in eight months. I was doing the Exercises and I was already very well educated in matters of faith. Father Francis had a great hope, and she all in God, that would make many Christians in Japan.
His plan was extremely bold.
I am determined to go first where the King is, and then to the Universities where they have their studies, with great hope in Jesus Christ our Lord who will help me.