Novena of Grace in honour of St Francis Xavier
By Anonymous | 3 December 2025
From an old Italian manuscript
This novena commences on 4 March and continues nine days, that is, till 12 March, upon which day, in the year 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonised St Francis Xavier, (yet it may be prayed at any time of the year). Those who perform this novena are to be employed upon each of the nine days in prayer and good works, to the glory of Almighty God, and in honour of his servant St Francis Xavier, always endeavouring to repose and entire confidence in the merits of this apostle, and hoping through his means to obtain from God whatsoever they shall ask, provided it be conducing to their 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 Xavier, and they are to observe other directions which shall be given hereafter. It will be convenient to confess and communicate the first day, so that the soul, being cleansed from sin, and honoured with the sacred 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 , and to secure themselves of obtaining their petition.
Instructions for the exact performing of the novena
Those who perform the Novena are to observe these instructions upon and each of the nine days:
- They are to endeavour to imitate some of this saint’s virtues, by practising some exterior act of acts thereof, as for instance, his zeal, humility, patience, etc.
- They are to do some work of mercy, either spiritual or corporal, for the benefit of their neighbour, as giving of alms, visiting the sick, or those that are in prison, comforting the afflicted, praying for the souls in Purgatory, or for those that are in the state of mortal sin, etc.
- They are to offer up to this saint some particular mortification, as fasting … etc.
- They are to curb their senses, their eyes and ears and their tongue, endeavouring to avoid even the least of sins.
- They are to read some chapter or passage of the life of this saint, or meditate a while upon some one of his virtues (of which you will find many in the devotion of the ten Fridays) with an earnest desire to imitate them.
- They are to endeavour for the glory of God to excite some person to bear devotion to this saint.
- It will be convenient they every day invoke the intercession of some one rank of the saints, as they do of the choirs 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 Xavier, it will be convenient every day to make a special commemoration of St Ignatius of Loyola, whom St Francis Xavier honoured, respected, and loved as his father, master and superior.
Upon one of the nine days, the person performing this devotion must confess and communicate, making a most diligent preparation to please God and St Francis Xavier for the more ready obtaining of the thing desired.
Prayer for each day of the novena
The person performing this devotion, kneeling before an altar, or the image of St Francis Xavier, shall lift up his heart to God, and profoundly humbling himself in spirit and offering up all his prayers, thoughts and words to his glory, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis Xavier and all the angels and saints of heaven, he 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 all my enemies; 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 then, 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 glorious St Francis Xavier, apostle of the Indies, if it be for the glory of God and to thy honour that I obtain what I desire and beg, by performing this novena, do thou obtain me this grace of our Lord; if not, do thou guide my petition and beg of our Lord for me that which is most proper for his glory and the benefit of my soul.
The First Day: Patriarchs
(See below for subsequent days)
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 Xavier, 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 purity of soul and body which Thou didst confer on this Thy holy apostle and that particular grace, which I beg in this novena, to Thy great honour and glory.
Then say one Our Father and three Hail Mary’s and then the following prayer to St Francis Xavier.
Concluding Prayers
Most holy father Francis Xavier, who received thy praises from the mouth of innocent children, I most humbly implore thy bountiful charity for the sake of the most precious Blood of Jesus and of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Lady, Mother of God; to the end thou mayst 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 my most loving protector and most affectionate father to obtain for me of his divine majesty that I may live as one that is to die and 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, so that 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 good of my soul. Amen.
In the next place you are to ask of St Francis Xavier the particular favour you desire to obtain, heightening as much as is in you, your confidence in him, with such words as your affectionate thoughts shall suggest, or with such aspirations as your devotion shall dictate.
Then the more to please this holy apostle, in imitation of him, say that prayer which he himself composed and used to say 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 Thy own image and likeness: Behold O Lord, how to Thy dishonour, Hell daily is replenished with them: remember O Lord Thy only Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered for them, most bountifully shedding His precious Blood. Suffer not, O Lord, Thy Son and our Lord to be any longer despised by the 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 and our Lord, who is our health, life and Resurrection, through whom we are made free and saved, to whom be all glory forever. Amen.
Prayer proper to this saint
Ant. Well fare thee, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: Enter into the joy of Thy Lord.
V. Our Lord hath guided the just man by right ways.
R. And hath shewed him the Kingdom of God.
Let us pray.
O God, Who wert pleased to bring back to the bosom of Thy Church the nations of the Indies, through the preaching and miracles of St Francis Xavier, mercifully grant us that we may imitate his virtues whose glorious merits we hold in veneration through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A commemoration of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Ant. This man despising the world, and triumphing over earthly things, heaped up riches in heaven by word and work.
V. Our Lord hath guided the just man by right ways.
R. And hath shewed him the Kingdom of God.
Let us pray.
O God, Who for the propagation of the greater glory of Thy name, hast by Blessed Ignatius, strengthened the Church militant with new Auxiliaries, graciously vouchsafe that we by his assistance and imitation, solicitously obtain with him an everlasting crown in heaven.
A Commemoration of St Gregory the Great, apostle of England
Ant. O most excellent doctor, light of the Holy Church Blessed Gregory, love of God’s law, supplicate the Son of God for us.
V. Our Lord hath guided the just man by right ways.
R. And hath shewed him the Kingdom of God.
Let us pray.
O God, Who hast bestowed the rewards of eternal blessedness on the soul of Thy servant Gregory, grant mercifully that we Who are depressed with the weight of Our sins, may by his prayers be delivered. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
Second Day: Prophets
Lord God of the Archangels, whom Thou dost instruct in the most weighty concerns of Thy glory, and the benefit of men, I offer up to Thee the merits of these most diligent spirits, and those of Thy great servant St Francis Xavier, Who thou madest the minister of Thy glory, and to whom Thou recommended the spiritual welfare of innumerable 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 honour and glory. Amen
Third Day: Apostles
Lord God of the Principalities, Who according to the disposition of the Divine Will, by means of Angels and Archangels, takes care of the welfare of mankind, enlightening, instructing and governing them. I offer up to Thee the merits of these most zealous spirits and those of Thy servant St Francis Xaverius, Who enlightened and converted many kingdoms and provinces and in them innumerable 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 tender in this novena to Thy greater honour and glory. Amen.
Fourth Day: Martyrs
Lord God of the powers, who have a special prerogative to curb the infernal spirits, I offer up to Thee the merits of these 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 great honour and glory. Amen.
Fifth Day: Bishops
Lord God of the virtues, by whose means Thou workest miracles and prodigies peculiar to Thy sovereign power: I offer up to Thee the merits of these most stupendous spirit, and those of Thy servant St Francis Xaverius whom Thou madest a new Thaumaturgus, or work of new and prodigious miracles, renewing in him the signs and wonders of Thy blessed apostles, that he might reveal the gospel to new nations, I beseech Thee, grant me that profound humility wherewith St Francis Xaverius amidst so many miracles sought They glory, and not his own honour, as also that which I beg in this novena, to Thy great honour and glory. Amen.
Sixth Day: Doctors
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 himself to all superiors, in them acknowledging Thy majesty and readily fulfilling their 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 honour and glory.
Seventh Day: Religious
Lord God of the Thrones, on whom thou reposest as on the seat of Thy glory and chair of Thy Majesty: I offer up to Thee the merits of these supreme spirits and those of St Francis Xavier, 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 Thou alone mightiest 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 honour and glory. Amen
Eighth Day: Confessors
Lord God of the Cherubim, who are adorned with most perfect wisdom. I offer up to Thee the merits of these most knowing spirits, and those of Thy servant St Francis Xavier, 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 favour I beg in this novena, to Thy greater honour and glory. Amen.
Ninth Day
Lord God of the Seraphim, who are enflamed with most ardent love of Thee, I offer up to thee the merits of these most fervent spirits and those of Thy servant St Francis Xavier, who like a Seraph, was inflamed with Thy love, conquering innumerable hardships and dangers of his life to please thee and to make those know and love Thee who before offended thee and knew Thee not. I beseech Thee grant that I may love Thee my only God and my Lord and endeavour to bring all men to the knowledge and love of Thee, and also that Thou will grant me that which I ask in this novena to Thy great honour and glory. Amen.