Novena to Saint Francis Xavier

Every November 24 we begin the Novena dedicated to San Francisco Javier SJ, Don Francisco Jasso Azpilicueta, born on April 7, 1506 in Navarra, Spain. Becoming a missionary of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), he traveled to proclaim the Gospel to the East where he met death when he was about to reach Mainland China. This saint is considered the patron of the missions and is often called ‘the apostle of the Indies’ (due to the connotation that the term had in the 16th century).

Saint Francis Xavier died on December 3, 1552 at the age of 46 on the island of Sanchón (Shangchuan, derived from Saint JohnSan Juan), belonging at that time to the Portuguese Empire.

Moved by the desire to win souls for Christ

The illustrious Jesuit missionary once said: “If there were gold mines on those islands, Christians would rush there. But there are nothing but souls to save.”

Let us entrust ourselves to his intercession and fearlessly announce the living Christ, “Way, Truth and Life” for all humanity.

By the sign of the Holy Cross, deliver us from our enemies, Lord our God.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

act of contrition

My Lord Jesus Christ, God and true Man, Creator, Father and my Redeemer; Because you are who you are, infinite goodness, and because I love you above all things, I regret with all my heart that I have offended you; It also weighs on me because you can punish me with the penalties of hell. Helped by your divine grace, I firmly propose never to sin again, confess and fulfill the penance that was imposed on me. Amen.

Prayer for every day

Most lovable and most loving Saint: I humbly adore the Divine Majesty with you and I thank Him for the unique gifts of grace that He granted you in life and for the glory that you already enjoy. I beg you with all the affection of my soul to obtain for me, through your powerful intercession, the very important grace of living and dying holyly. I also ask you to grant me the special grace that I ask for in this novena… (Here the desired spiritual and temporal graces are requested). And if what I ask for does not suit the greater glory of God and the good of my soul, I want to achieve what is most convenient for that purpose. Amen.

An Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.

closing prayer

(You can end with the following prayer attributed to Saint Francis Xavier)

Eternal God, Creator of all things: remember that You created the souls of the unbelievers, making them in Your image and likeness.

Look, Lord, how in your disgrace hells are filled with them. Remember, heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ, who shed his blood so liberally and suffered for them. Do not allow your Son to be despised by the unbelievers any longer, but rather appeased with the prayers and supplications of your chosen Saints and the Church. Very blessed Spouse of your own Son, remember your mercy, and forgetting his idolatry and infidelity. , make them also know him whom you sent, Jesus Christ, your Son, who is our health, life and resurrection, through whom we are free and saved; to whom be given glory forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer. Oh God, who wanted to add the nations of the Indies to your Church through the preaching and miracles of Saint Francis Xavier: grant that, venerating the glory of his distinguished merits, we may also imitate the examples of his heroic virtues. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.