NovenasSt. Francis Xavier Novena
Novena to the Apostle of the Indies
A nine-day novena to St. Francis Xavier, one of the founding members of the Jesuits and the greatest missionary since St. Paul. He brought the Gospel to India, Indonesia, and Japan, baptizing thousands.
Complete prayer texts. No account needed.
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For Missionaries
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
O God, who through the preaching of St. Francis Xavier brought the peoples of the Indies into Your Church, grant that those who honor his glorious merits may also imitate his example of virtue.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
Francis Xavier was a brilliant scholar at the University of Paris when St. Ignatius of Loyola asked him: 'What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?' This question transformed his life.
He gave up his worldly ambitions and became one of the first Jesuits. He then spent the rest of his life as a missionary, traveling more than 30,000 miles to bring the Gospel to Asia.
Prayer
St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionaries, pray for all who have left home and family to spread the Gospel. Give them your zeal, your perseverance, and your love for souls.
(Mention your intentions here)
Prayer to St. Francis Xavier
O glorious St. Francis Xavier, faithful servant of God and zealous apostle of souls, you gave up all worldly ambition to follow Christ and bring His Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Obtain for me, I beseech you, the grace of perfect conformity to God's will, of fervent charity, and of apostolic zeal. May I, like you, labor for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
St. Francis Xavier, pray for us. Amen.
About this novena
A nine-day novena to St. Francis Xavier, one of the founding members of the Jesuits and the greatest missionary since St. Paul. He brought the Gospel to India, Indonesia, and Japan, baptizing thousands.
November 24 - December 2 (Feast: December 3), or any time
Traditional start: December 3
You can begin a novena at any time. Traditional dates are a guide, not a requirement.
