your love, who proceedeth from you, ye have given us yourselves. We thank thee, O Holy Ghost, who art at once the gift and the giver of all gifts, and we most earnestly beseech thee to give us thyself. No other gift but thine own self can satisfy our souls, and having thee alone, we shall have all things. But what can we give thee in exchange for so great benefits? O blessed Spirit, vouchsafe of thy mercy to accept for all eternity all our thoughts, all our affections, and all ourselves. Amen.

Come, O Holy Ghost, &c.

V. and R. Send forth, etc.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may burn with that fire of the Holy Ghost which our Lord Jesus Christ sent upon the earth, and which he desired to be vehemently enkindled; through our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same.

Amen.

May the blessing, etc.

NINTH DAY.-TRANSFIGURATION

L

AND ASCENSION OF

OUR LORD, AND THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY GHOST.

ET us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity, and, uniting our dispositions with those of our Blessed Lady and the holy Apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one Hail Mary, in honour of the transfiguration and ascension of our most dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the ineffable love of the Holy Ghost in all his manifestations to his creatures. Our Father, Hail Mary.

Most holy Virgin and exalted Mother of God, who wast above all other creatures disposed to receive the Holy Ghost, and who didst receive him with

greater fulness than all others; dispose, we beseech thee, by thy gracious aid, our cold hearts for the approaching solemnity of Pentecost. We fly to thee, most benignant Mother of sinners, that thou mayst obtain for us a lively contrition for our sins; so that, although we cannot receive the Holy Spirit, as innocent, like thyself, yet may we receive him as true penitents, together with those meek penitents who received him in the upper room. Grant this, most holy Mother, not for our merits, for we have none, but out of thine own exceeding goodness, and that great love which thou bearest to the same blessed Spirit, who hath chosen thee to be his Spouse. Amen. Come O Holy Ghost. etc.

V. and R. Send forth, etc.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the splendour of thy brightness may shine upon us; and that the light of thy light may, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, confirm the hearts of those who by grace are regenerate; through our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same.

Amen.

May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and remain with us always. Amen.

Novena of St. Francis Xavier.

LORD

LET US PRAY.

didst

ing and miracles of St. Francis Xavier to join unto thy Church the countries of the Indies; grant, we beseech thee, that we who reverence his glorious merits, may also imitate his example; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, my Creator and my Redeemer, for thy sake, and because I love thee above all things, I am truly sorry for having offended thee: I firmly purpose never again to fall into sin, to shun all occasions of offending thee, to confess my sins, to 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, my actions, and my sufferings, in satisfaction for my sins; and I trust in thy infinite goodness and mercy, that thou wilt forgive me, through the merits of thy precious Blood and Passion, and that thou wilt also 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 that which I desire to obtain by performing this Novena be for the glory of God and for thy honour, do thou intercede for it with our Lord; if otherwise, do thou obtain for me some grace more conformable to his divine will, by which I may the more surely promote thy honour and benefit my own soul.

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PRAYER FOR THE FIRST DAY.

ORD God of the Angels, to whom thou dost commit the guardianship of men, I offer unto thee the merits of these heavenly spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, who also was called an angel for his purity, and because he preserved men from many spiritual and corporal dangers. I beseech thee to 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 greater honour and glory. Amen.

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THE SECOND DAY.

ORD God of the Archangels, to whom thou dost intrust the most weighty concerns of thy glory I offer unto thee the merits of these most diligent spirits, and those of thy great servant St. Francis Xavier, whom thou didst make the minister of thy glory, and to whom thou didst commend the spiritual welfare of innumerable souls. I beseech thee to grant that I may perform those duties which thy most holy 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.

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THE THIRD DAY.

ORD God of the Principalities, through whom thou dost enlighten, instruct, and govern mankind, I offer unto thee the merits of these most zealous spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, who, not only by himself, but also by his disciples and followers, enlightened and converted many provinces and kingdoms, and in them innumerable souls instructing, teaching, and baptizing. I beseech thee to grant me the zeal of this holy Apostle, and the particular petition I make in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

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THE FOURTH DAY.

ORD God of the Powers, to whom it especially belongs to curb the infernal spirits, I offer unto thee the merits of these mighty spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, to whom thou gavest singular power to expel devils from bodies and souls. I beseech thee to grant me the grace to overcome all the temptations of the devil; grant also that which

I beg of thee in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

THE FIFTH DAY.

ORD God of the Virtues, by whose means thou

L workest miracles and prodigies peculiar to thy

sovereign power, I offer unto thee the merits of these most wonderful spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, whom thou didst make a worker of new and prodigious miracles, renewing in him the signs and wonders of thy blessed Apostles, that he might make known the gospel to strange nations. I beseech thee to grant me that profound humility wherewith St. Francis Xavier amidst so many miracles sought thy glory, and not his own honour, as also that which I beg in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

THE SIXTH DAY.

ORD God of the Dominations, who as ministers

providence all inferior spirits,

and submit themselves to thy will, being ever ready to fulfil it, I offer unto thee the merits of these excellent spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, who though he excelled many, yet humbly submitted himself to all superiors, and readily fulfilled their commands, in them acknowledging thy majesty. I beseech thee, to grant me ready and perfect obedience to all my superiors, and that special petition which I make in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

THE SEVENTH DAY.

LORD God of the Thrones, on whom thou dost repose as on the seat of thy glory and chair of thy majesty, I offer unto thee these merits of the