Novena of Grace to St. Francis Xavier
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Instructions and Devotions for Performing the Novena, 1890Source and notes
From The Novena, or Nine Days’ Devotion to St. Francis Xavier (1890), printed with an imprimatur. Each of the nine days has its own prayer.
Source
| Printed in | Instructions and Devotions for Performing the Novena, or The Nine Days' Devotion to St. Francis Xavier, 1890 |
|---|---|
| Pages | Printed page 5; Scan leaf 5; Printed page 6; Scan leaf 6; Printed page 7; Scan leaf 7; Printed page 8; Scan leaf 8; Printed page 9; Scan leaf 9; Printed page 10; Scan leaf 10; Printed page 11; Scan leaf 11; Printed page 12; Scan leaf 12; Printed page 13; Scan leaf 13; Printed page 14; Scan leaf 14; Printed page 15; Scan leaf 15; Printed page 16; Scan leaf 16; Printed page 17; Scan leaf 17; Printed page 18; Scan leaf 18; Printed page 19; Scan leaf 19; Printed page 20; Scan leaf 20; Printed page 21; Scan leaf 21; Printed page 22; Scan leaf 22; Printed page 23; Scan leaf 23; Printed page 24; Scan leaf 24 |
| Scan | The source scan |
| Edition | The Novena, or Nine Days’ Devotion to St. Francis Xavier (1890) |
| Rights | Published 1890 (title page); published before 1931, so public domain in the United States. |
### Time and Manner of Performing the Novena. This Novena commences on the 4th of March, and continues nine days, that is, till the 12th of March, upon which day, in the year 1622, Pope Gregory XV. canonized St. Francis Xaverius. The persons who perform this Novena are to be employed upon each of these days, in prayer and good works, to the glory of Almighty God, and in honor of His servant St. Francis Xaverius, always endeavoring to repose entire confidence in the merits of this Apostle, and hoping through his means to obtain from God whatsoever we shall ask, provided it be conducive to thier salvation and the good of their souls; or that otherwise, instead of that blessing, which they beg, and which is not for their benefit, this Saint will obtain for them of God some other grace they do not ask, and which tends more to their eternal felicity. For the exact performance of this Novena, they are to take for their advocates the nine choirs of heavenly spirits, making particular mention of the principal virtues of St. Francis Xaverius, and they are to observe other directions which shall be given hereafter. It would be advisable to confess and communicate the first day, so that the soul being cleansed from sin, and honored with the Holy Eucharist, all the works we perform in the state of grace may be meritorious of eternal life, and the more efficacious towards obtaining the benefit we ask. Those who do not confess, must at least begin every day with an act of contrition, to cleanse their souls from sin, that they may more readily obtain thier petition. When the Novena is not performed in the church with the general concourse of the people, it is also advisable that if it be done in a private house, all the family should join in performing it together, begging of God for every one, that which each apart, begs for himself. For the convenience of such as stand in need of further direction, we have set down those prayers that are proper to be said every day; nevertheless, such as are more devout may beg the same thing of the Saint, in such terms and language as thier devotion shall dictate, and may direct their prayers as they think fit. When many perform the Novena, one of them may read the prayers, changing the singular number into the plural, and say we desire, we beg, etc. The others may repeat the prayer after him, or else, only hear it, with attention, inwardly desiring and begging for that which is asked in it. ### Instructions for the Exact Performance of the Novena. Those who perform the Novena are to observe these instructions upon all and each of the nine days. 1o. They are to endeavor to imitate some one of this Saint’s virtues, by practising some exterior act or acts thereof, as for instance, his zeal, humility, patience, etc. 2o. They are to do some work of mercy, either spiritual or corporal, for the benefit of thier neighbors, as giving alms, visiting the sick, or those who are in prison, comforting the afflicted, praying for the souls in purgatory, or for those that are in the state of mortal sin, etc 3o. They are to offer up to this Saint some particular mortification, as fasting, wearing of haircloth, discipline, using themselves with less tenderness, etc. 4o. They are to curb their senses, their eyes and ears, and their tongues, endeavoring to avoid even the least of sins.— 5o. They are to read some passage of the life of this Saint, or meditate awhile upon some one of his virtues, with an earnest desire to imitate them. 6o. They are to endeavor, for the glory of God, to excite some person to bear devotion to this Saint. 7o. It will be advisable that they every day invoke the intercession of some one rank of the saints, as they do of the choir of angels, to the end that their advocates and intercessors being multiplied, as the church expresses it, they may the more readily obtain what they ask. The classes of saints may be divided into patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, bishops, doctors, priests, religious, confessors, virgins and other saints in heaven. For the more effectual prevailing with St. Francis Xaverius, it would be advisable every day to make a special commemoration of St. Ignatius of Loyola, whom St. Francis Xaverius honored, respected and loved, as his father, master and superior. Upon one of the nine days, the person performing this devotion must confess and communicate, make a most diligent preparation to please God and St. Francis Xaverius, for the more ready obtaining of the thing desired. Such as cannot read, may cause another to read these prayers, they giving great attention to them, and offering them up to St. Francis; or instead thereof, they may say ten times the Lord’s Prayer, ten Hail Marys, and ten times Glory be to the Father, etc., in memory of the ten years that St. Francis Xaverius spent in the Indies; begging of the Saint whatsoever they desire, and praying as he did for the conversion of infidels. Though the most proper time for performing this Novena be from the 4th of March to the 12th, which is the day of the canonization of St. Francis Xaverius, yet it may be performed at any other time of the year. How general this devotion of the Novena has become, is well known; through it St. Francis has obtained favors for several persons, as they themselves testify. In the year 1688 it was performed at Madrid, with extraordinary solemnity in the royal chapel of the palace, their Catholic majesties being every day present thereat.
Day 1
The First Day of the Novena.
The person performing this devotion, kneeling before the altar or the image of St. Francis Xaverius, shall lift up his heart to God, and profoundly humbling himself in spirit, offering up all his prayes, thoughts and words to his glory, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis Xaverius, and all the angels and saints in heaven, shall make the sign of the cross, and say the following prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ! True God and Man, my Creator and Redeemer, for Thy sake alone, and because I love Thee above all things, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart for having offended Thee; and I do firmly purpose never to fall into sin again, to shun all occasions of offending Thee, to confess my sins, and perform the penance that shall be enjoined me, and to make restitution and satisfaction wherever it shall be due from me. For the love of Thee, I forgive my enemies; so to Thee I offer up my life, actions, and sufferings, in satisfaction for my sins; and since I humbly beg it of Thee, I trust in Thy goodness and infinite mercy, that Thou wilt forgive me them, through the merits of Thy precious blood and passion, and wilt give me grace to amend my life and to persevere in Thy service unto my death. Amen.
Most gracious St. Francis Xaverius! Apostle of the Indies, if it be for the glory of God and to thy honor, that I obtain what I desire and beg, by performing this Novena; obtain for me this grace of our Lord; if not, guide my petition, and beg of our Lord for me, that which is most proper for His glory and the benefit of my soul.
O God, and Lord of the Angels; whom Thou dost entrust with the guardianship of men. I make Thee an offering of all the merits of these heavenly spirits, and of those of Thy servant, St. Francis Xaverius, who was called an angel for his purity, and because he preserved men from many spiritual and corporal dangers. I beseech Thee, grant me that particular grace which I beg in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Here say thrice the Lord’s Prayer, and three Hail Marys, and then the following prayer to St. Francis Xaverius.
Most Holy Father, St. Francis Xaverius; who receivest thy praises from the mouths of innocent children, I most humbly implore thy bountiful charity for the sake of the most precious blood of Jesus, and the immaculate conception of our Blessed Lady, Mother of God, to the end that thou mayest obtain of God’s infinite goodness, that at the approach of my last hour, my heart may be separated and withdrawn from all worldly thoughts and distractions, and be fixed in the most ardent love of Him and a vehement desire of a happy eternity; so that, laying aside the multiplicity of earthly things which hitherto have perplexed me, I may most diligently seek and perfectly find that one thing which is necessary, which is, to die and rest in peace under the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, in the wounds of Jesus, her most blessed Son, in the sweet embraces of my God, and in thy presence, holy saint! through whose intercession I hope to obtain this mercy. But yet, whilst it shall please the Divine Providence to preserve my life, I beseech thee, my most loving protector and most affectionate father, to obtain for me of His Divine Majesty, that I may live as I would wish to have lived at the hour of my death, ever imitating thy virtues and fulfilling the most holy will of God; that so my temporal death may be to me a passage into life everlasting. I also beseech thee to obtain for me that which I ask in this Novena, if it be for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Amen.
In the next place, you are to ask St. Francis Xaverius the particular favor you desire to obtain, heightening, as much as much as you can, your confidence in him, with such words as your affectionate thoughts shall suggest, or dictate. Then the more to please this holy Apostle, in imitation of him, say that prayer which he himself composed and said every day for the conversion of infidels, which is as follows:
Eternal God! Creator of all things, remember that thou alone didst create the souls of infidels, framing them to Thine own image and likeness; behold, O Lord! Thy only Son Jesus Christ, who suffered for them, bountifully shedding His precious blood; suffer not, O Lord! Thy Son and our Lord to be any longer despised by infidels, but rather, being appeased by the entreaties and prayers of Thy elect, the saints, and of the church, the most blessed spouse of Thy Son, vouchsafe to be mindful of thy mercy, and forgetting their idolatry and infidelity, cause them also to know Him Thou didst send, Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, who is our health, life and resurrection, through whom we are made free and saved, to whom be all glory for ever. Amen.
Then conclude with the prayer proper to this Saint.
Antiph. Well done thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things; enter into the glory of the Lord.
V. Our Lord hath guided the just man by right ways.
R. And hath showed him the kingdom of God.
The Prayer.
O God! who wert pleased to reduce to the bosom of Thy church the nations of the Indies, through the preaching and miracles of St. Francis Xaverius,, mercifully grant us that we may imitate his virtues, whose glorious merits we hold in veneration. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Litany of St. Francis Xaverius.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy upon us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy upon us.
have mercy upon us.
Holy Mary
Holy Father Ignatius
St. Francis Xaverius, most worthy son of St. Ignatius.
St. Francis Xaverius, apostle of the Indies.
St. Francis Xaverius, evangelizing peace
St. Francis Xaverius, evangelizing all good
Vessel of election, carrying the name of Jesus before the Gentiles
Vessel full of divine grace
Firmament of the Oriental church
Defender of the faith
Enemy of infidelity
Preacher of evangelical truth
Destroyer of idols
Chosen instrument of the Eternal Father for the propagation of Divine glory
Faithful follower and companion of Jesus Christ
Pray for us.
Trumpet of the Holy Ghost
Pilar of the church of God
Light of infidels
Master of the faithful
Mirror of true piety
Guide in the way of virtue and perfection
Pattern of apostolical spirit and sanctity
Light of the blind
Curer of the lame
Helper of those who suffer shipwreck
Health of the sick
Proctector in time of plague, famine and war
From whom the devils fly
Life of the dead
Whose power the sea and tempests obey
Whose command the sea and all elments reverence
Wonderful worker of miracles
Refuge of the miserable
Comporter of the afflicted
Splendor of the east
Tabernacle of incorruption
Treasure of divine love
Glory of the society of Jesus
Xaverius most pure
Pray for us.
Xaverius most chaste
Xaverius most obedient
Xaverius most humble
Xaverius most desirous of the cross and labors of Christ
Xaverius most zealous of God’s glory and the good of souls
Angel in life and manners
Patriarch in affection and care of God’s people
Prophet in gift and spirit
Apostle in dignity and merit
Doctor of Gentiles in all sorts of languages
Martyr in desiring to die for Christ
Confessor in virtue and profession in life
Virgin in body and mind
In whom we reverence, through the divine goodness, the merits of all saints
Pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of of the world, spare us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us Christ, hear us
Christ. graciously hear us
Lord, have mercy on us
Our Father, etc.
V. Pray for us, St. Francis Xaverius.
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Lord God! who hast vouchsafed, by the preaching and miracles of St. Francis Xaverius, to join unto Thy church the countries of the Indies, grant propitiously, we beseech Thee, that reverencing his glorious merits, we may also imitate his example, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 2
The Second Day.
Lord Jesus Christ, true God and Man, etc., as before on the first day.
Most glorious St. Francis Xaverius, etc., as the first day, and so on all the following days.
A Prayer for This Day.
Lord God of the Archangels! whom thou dost entrust with the most weighty concerns of Thy glory, and the benefit of men, I offer up to Thee the merits of these most deligent spirits and those of Thy great servant St. Francis Xaverius, whom Thou madest the minister of Thy glory, and to whom Thou recommendest the spiritual welfare of inumerable souls. I beseech Thee, grant that I may perform those duties which Thy most holy and divine will hath imposed upon me, and also that I may obtain that particular grace which I beg of Thee in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 3
The Third Day.
Lord God of the Principalites! who, according to the dispositions of Thy divine will, by means of angels and archangels, take care of the welfare of mankind, enlightening, instructing and governing them, I offer up to Thee the merits of those most zealous spirits, and those of Thy servant St. Francis Xaverius, who enlightened and converted many kingdoms and provinces, and in them inumerable souls, not only by himself, but by his disciples and followers, instructing, teaching and commanding. I beseech Thee, grant me the zeal of this holy apostle, and the particular petition I render in this Novena to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 4
The Fourth Day.
Lord God of the Powers! who have a special prerogative to curb the infernal spirits, I offer to Thee the merits of those most potent spirits, and those of Thy servant St. Francis Xaverius, to whom Thou gavest singular power of expelling devils from bodies and souls. I beseech Thee, grant me the grace to overcome all the temptations of the devil, and that which I beg of Thee in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 5
The Fifth Day.
Lord God of the Virtues! by whose means Thou workest miracles and prodigies peculiar to Thy soverign power, I offer up to Thee the merit of those most stupendous spirits, and those of Thy servant St. Francis Xaverius, whom Thou madest a new Thaumaturgus, or worker of new and prodigious miracles, renewing in him the signs and wonders of the blessed apostles, that he might discover the Gospel to new nations. I beseech Thee, grant me that profound humility wherewith St. Francis Xaverius, amidst so many miracles, sought Thy glory, and not his own honour, as also that which I beg in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 6
The Sixth Day.
Lord God of the Dominations! which preside over all inferior spirits as ministers of Thy providence, and submit themselves to Thy will, being ever ready to fulfil it, I offer up to Thee the merits of these excellent spirits and those of St. Francis Xaverius, who, though superior to many, yet humbly submitted to all superiors, in them acknowledging Thy majesty, and readily fulfilling thier commands. I beseech Thee, grant me a ready and perfect obedience to all my superiors, and that special petition which I make in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 7
The Seventh Day.
Lord God of the Thrones! on whom thou reposest as on the seat of Thy glory and throne of Thy majesty, I offer up to Thee the merits of these supreme spirits and those of St. Francis Xaverius, that throne of Thy glory, that vessel of election, to convey Thy name to new nations, who denied himself to himself, and to all worldly things, casting them out of his heart, that those alone might possess it. I beseech Thee, grant that I may despise all worldly things, and rest in Thee alone; grant me also the petition I make in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 8
The Eighth Day.
Lord God of the Cherubim! who are adorned with most perfect wisdom, I offer up to Thee the merits of these most intelligent spirits, and those of Thy servant St. Francis Xaverius, whom Thou didst grace with supereminent wisdom, and to whom Thou didst reveal most profound secrets that he might teach Thy law to many people and nations. I beseech Thee, grant that I may learn to fear and please Thee, which is true wisdom; and that by word and example I may teach others to keep Thy commandments, and that Thou wilt also grant me the favor I beg in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen.
Day 9
The Ninth Day.
Lord God of the Seraphim! who are inflamed with the most ardent love of Thee, I offer up to Thee the merits of these most fervents spirits, and those of Thy servant St. Francis Xavarius, who, like a Seraph, was inflamed with Thy love, conquering inumerable hardships and dangers of his life, to please Thee and to make those love and know Thee, who before offended Thee and knew Thee not. I beseech Thee, grant that I may love Thee, my only God and Lord, and endeavor to bring all men to the knowledge and love of Thee, and also that thou wilt grant me that which I ask in this Novena, to Thy greater honor and glory. Amen,