The Macau church housing a relic of Saint Francis Xavier’s right arm

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Tucked away in the historic heart of Macau lies St. Joseph's Seminary and Church, a site of profound religious and architectural significance. Beyond its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the church serves as a final resting place for a unique relic: a portion of Saint Francis Xavier’s right humerus.

Established in 1728, St. Joseph's Seminary and Church occupies a storied place in Macau's religious history. Initially, the seminary was situated on a hilltop south of St. Paul's College, only moving to its current location in São Lourenço later. This transition reflects the evolving footprint of Jesuit influence in the region during the eighteenth century, a period marked by both expansion and sudden, dramatic upheaval for the order.

The seminary's trajectory shifted violently in 1759 when the Portuguese government, led by chief minister Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, initiated a campaign to suppress the Jesuits. By 1762, this political pressure culminated in the expulsion of the Jesuits from Macau, forcing the seminary to close its doors. It remained dormant for over two decades until 1784, when the Lazarists, also known as the Congregation of the Mission, assumed management and reopened the institution.

Today, the site is celebrated as part of the Historic Centre of Macau, which earned its UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2005. Among its most notable features is the relic of Saint Francis Xavier. As part of a posthumous tradition of distributing body parts as sacred objects, a piece of his right humerus was transported to Macau well before 1619. This artifact remains a focal point for visitors and pilgrims alike, anchoring the church’s identity in a legacy that stretches back centuries before the seminary itself was founded.

The history of the site is a testament to the complex interplay between colonial administration, religious mission, and the preservation of cultural heritage. From its early days as a Jesuit stronghold to its current status as a protected landmark, St. Joseph's Seminary and Church continues to serve as a bridge between the colonial past and the modern cultural landscape of Macau.

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