This is the powerful novena to Saint Francis Xavier which, in times past, was solemnly celebrated on the above dates throughout the entire Church. This great Jesuit Saint is the Exemplar of our Crusade, and in March of every year we beg for his help in obtaining from God a favorable response to a particular request. We know he has heard us, for our requests have been granted.
The special intention for this novena will vary from year to year, and will be announced beforehand in the January or February Mancipia . The form for a public Novena of Grace follows:
Preparatory Prayers
Priest: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Jesus, answer our petitions as we kneel before Thee.
People: O Heart of Jesus, hear and grant our prayers.
Priest: Pray for us, Saint Francis Xavier,
People: that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Priest: Let us pray: Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy spirit and they shall be created,
People: and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Priest: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
People: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Priest and People:
O most lovable and loving Saint Francis Xavier — in union with thee — I adore the Divine Majesty. The remembrance of the favors — with which God blessed thee during life — and of thy glory after death — fills me with joy; and I unite with thee — in offering to Him — my humble tribute of thanksgiving and of praise. — I implore thee to secure for me — through thy powerful intercession — the inestimable blessing — of living and dying — in the state of grace. I also beseech thee — to obtain for me — the favor I ask in this novena. [pause for petitions] But if what I ask — is not for the glory of God — and for the good of my soul — do thou obtain for me — what is more conducive to both. Amen.
Our Father — Hail Mary — Glory Be
Priest: Pray for us, Saint Francis Xavier,
People: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hymn to Saint Francis Xavier
Oh, Father Saint Francis, we kneel at thy feet,
While blessings and favors we beg and entreat,
That thou from thy bright throne in heaven above
Wouldst look on thy clients with pity and love.
Saint Francis Xavier, Oh pray for us!
Saint Francis Xavier, Oh pray for us!Oh, Father Saint Francis, thy words were once strong
Against Satan’s wiles and an infidel throng.
Not less is thy might where in heaven thou art;
Oh, come to our aid, in our battle take part.
Saint Francis Xavier, Oh pray for us!
Saint Francis Xavier, Oh pray for us!
Xavier’s Prayer for Unbelievers
Priest and People:
Eternal God, Creator of all things — remember that the souls of unbelievers — have been created by Thee — and formed to Thy own image and likeness. Behold, O Lord, how to Thy dishonor — hell is being filled with these very souls. Remember that Jesus Christ, Thy Son — for their salvation suffered a most cruel death. Do not permit, O Lord, I beseech Thee — that Thy divine Son be any longer despised by unbelievers, but rather, being appeased by the prayers of Thy saints — and the Church — the most holy spouse of Thy Son — deign to be mindful of Thy mercy — and forgetting their idolatry and their unbelief — bring them to know Him Whom Thou didst send — Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord — Who is our health, life, and resurrection — through Whom we have been redeemed and saved — to Whom be all glory forever. Amen.
Priest: Pray for us, Saint Francis Xavier,
People: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Priest: O God, Who did deign, by the preaching and miracles of Saint Francis Xavier, to join unto Thy Church the nations of the Indies, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who reverence his glorious merits, may also imitate his example, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
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Sermon
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Hymn Before Benediction
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Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
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Closing Hymn — “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”
[Note: When the novena is made privately, the Hymn to Saint Francis may be recited, and
everything from the Sermon through the Closing Hymn may be omitted.]
