NOVENA OF GRACE OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER: DAY 9
Read the story from the life of St. Francis Xavier.
Ponder on the “Reflection” for a few minutes.
Pray the set of prayers at the bottom of the page.
Day 9: Death of Francis off the coast of China (December 3, 1552)
Francis died of fever at the age of 46 on the island of Sanchian, within sight of China. He did not achieve his ambition to reach the mainland. That was to the privilege of a fellow Jesuit, Matteo Ricci. His hope was that if China accepted Christianity, all Asia would be open to the faith. His ambition was greater than one person could ever achieve.
St. Francis Xavier is the patron saint of the missions. He has always been exceptionally popular not only with Catholics, but with many non-Catholics, too. He is probably the most famous of all Jesuits. He was canonized as a Saint in 1622, together with St. Ignatius Loyola.
A prayer to St. Francisco Xavier
I join with you Saint Francis Xavier
In bowing before the God of all Creation.
When I look at the great things you did during life,
I see what marvels can be achieved by a person blessed by God.
I join with you in praising God and giving thanks
For all the good things I have been given.
Dear Saint Francis Xavier,
Please pray to God for me and ask that I may live and die in God’s favor.
Please ask God for me for (here ask for what you desire),
Provided, of course, that this would be good for me.
In the end, my only wish is
For whatever gives glory to God and is good for my health in body,
Mind and spirit. Amen
Reflection:
- What can I personally learn from reflecting on the life of St. Francis?
- As I consider the goals in my life, is love of God and His people central?
- Am I ready to hand my life over to God and His service?
St. Francis Xavier --Pray for us (3x)
The Lord’s Prayer…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
