Prayers for the Novena of Grace
Prayer-Book for Religious, compiled by F. X. Lasance, 1914Source and notes
Source
| Printed in | PRAYER-BOOK FOR RELIGIOUS: A COMPLETE MANUAL OF Prayers and Devotions for the Use of the Members of all Religious Communities. A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE PARTICULAR EXAMEN AND TO THE METHODS OF MEDITATION |
|---|---|
| Imprint | NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO, BENZIGER BROTHERS, 1914 |
| Pages | pp. 1050–1051 |
| Scan | leaf 1064, leaf 1065 of the Internet Archive copy |
| Approval | Nihil Obstat. REMY LAFORT, Censor Librorum. Imprimatur. ✠ JOHN M. FARLEY, Archbishop of New York. NEW YORK, May 16, 1904. |
| Rights | Public domain in the United States. |
- Saints
- St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier’s Prayer for Unbelievers.
ETERNAL God, Creator of all things, remember that the souls of unbelievers have been created by Thyself and formed to Thine own image and likeness. Behold, O Lord, how, to Thy dishonor, hell is being filled with them. Remember Lord, that Jesus Christ, Thy only Son, shed His most precious blood, and suffered a most cruel death for their salvation. I beseech Thee, O my God, do not permit that Thy beloved Son be any longer despised by unbelievers, but rather, being appeased by the prayers and supplications of the saints, and of the Church, the most blessed spouse of Thy divine Son, vouchsafe to be mindful of Thy mercy, and, forgetting their idolatry and infidelity, bring them to know Him Whom Thou didst send, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who is our life and resurrection, through Whom we are redeemed and saved, to Whom be all glory for ever. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.
O MOST lovable and charitable saint, in union with thee I adore the divine Majesty. My heart is filled with joy at the remembrance of the marvelous favors with which God blessed thy life on earth, and of the great glory that came to thee after death. In union with thee I praise God, and offer Him my humble tribute of thanksgiving. I implore thee to obtain for me, through thy powerful intercession, the greatest of all blessings—that of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beg of thee to secure for me the special favor I ask in this novena [mention your request]. May the will of God be done. If what I am praying for is not for God’s glory or for the good of my soul, I beseech thee to obtain for me what is most conducive to both.
V. Pray for us, St. Francis Xavier;
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O GOD, Who hast vouchsafed, by the preaching and miracles of St. Francis Xavier, to join unto Thy Church the nations of the Indies; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who celebrate his glorious merits, may also imitate his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ANOTHER PRAYER TO ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.
O FERVENT apostle, indefatigable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, glorious St. Francis Xavier, who, urged by a burning zeal for the salvation of souls, didst expose thyself to extreme dangers, and didst welcome the most appalling labors and sacrifices, vouchsafe also to take charge of my perfection.
Obtain that I may imitate thy perfect detachment from creatures, thy confidence in God, thy abandonment to the divine will, thy humility, obedience, and charity, thy generosity in the practice of virtue, and thy zeal for souls. Enkindle in my heart the sacred fire with which thy great soul was always inflamed, that I may labor earnestly to make Jesus Christ reign in all hearts, and that, having had the happiness of walking in thy footsteps here below, I may one day enjoy with thee the bliss of heaven. Amen.