The
Miraculous Novena of Grace
Most amiable and most loving St Francis Xavier, in union with thee I
reverently adore the Divine Majesty. I rejoice exceedingly on account of the
marvellous gifts which God bestowed upon thee.
I thank God for the special graces He gave thee during thy life on earth and for the great glory that came to thee after thy death. 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 favour I ask in this novena (mention your request).
In asking this favour I am fully resigned to the Divine Will. I pray and desire only to obtain that which is most conducive to the greater glory of God and the greater good of my soul.
V. Pray for us,
St Francis Xavier.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, who didst vouchsafe, 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 reverence his glorious merits may also imitate his example, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
O God, who didst vouchsafe, 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 reverence his glorious merits may also imitate his example, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Then add an ‘Our
Father’ and ‘Hail Mary’, three times, in memory of St Francis Xavier’s devotion
to the Most Holy Trinity, and ten ‘Glory be’ in thanksgiving for the graces
received during his ten years of apostleship.
HISTORY:
This novena, also called ‘The Novena of Grace’, which begins March 4th and ends on the 12th, the day of the canonization of St Francis Xavier, owes its origin to the Saint himself. At Naples, in December, 1633, Father Marcello Mastrilli, S.J., was at the point of death. The Saint appeared to him and, bidding him to renew a vow he had made to labour in Japan, said:
This novena, also called ‘The Novena of Grace’, which begins March 4th and ends on the 12th, the day of the canonization of St Francis Xavier, owes its origin to the Saint himself. At Naples, in December, 1633, Father Marcello Mastrilli, S.J., was at the point of death. The Saint appeared to him and, bidding him to renew a vow he had made to labour in Japan, said:
“All those who
implore my help daily for nine consecutive days, from the 4th to the 12th of
March included, and worthily receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy
Eucharist on one of the nine days, will experience my protection and may hope
with entire assurance to obtain from God any grace they ask for the good of their
souls and the glory of God.”
The Father arose, instantly cured. So well had the Saint kept his promise that this devotion in his honour became universally known as the Novena of Grace. Its efficacy is not restricted to the dates mentioned. It may be made very appropriately from November 25th to December 3rd, the Feast of St Francis Xavier. Though any prayers can be said in honour of the Saint, the foregoing are generally recommended.
The Father arose, instantly cured. So well had the Saint kept his promise that this devotion in his honour became universally known as the Novena of Grace. Its efficacy is not restricted to the dates mentioned. It may be made very appropriately from November 25th to December 3rd, the Feast of St Francis Xavier. Though any prayers can be said in honour of the Saint, the foregoing are generally recommended.
From: My Prayerbook, by Fr Lasance
Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons
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