L 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 fervant St. Francis Xavier, to whom thou gavest fingular power to expel devils from bodies and fouls. I befeech 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. L THE FIFTH DAY. ORD God of the Virtues, by whofe means thou workest miracles and prodigies peculiar to thy fovereign 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 figns and wonders of thy bleffed 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 fought 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 of thy providence prefide over all inferior fpirits, and fubmit themselves to thy will, being ever ready to fulfil it, I offer unto thee the merits of these excellent spirits, and those of thy fervant St. Francis Xavier, who though he excelled many, yet humbly submitted himself to all fuperiors, and readily fulfilled their commands, in them acknowledging thy majefty. I beseech thee to grant me ready and perfect obedience to all my fuperiors, and that special petition which I make in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen. L THE SEVENTH DAY. ORD God of the Thrones, on whom thou doft repofe as on the feat of thy glory, and chair of thy majesty, I offer unto thee the merits of these fupreme spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, that throne of thy glory, that vessel of election to convey thy name to heathen nations, who denied himself to himself, and to all worldly things, cafting them out of his heart, that thou alone mighteft poffefs it. I befeech thee to grant that I may despise all worldly things, and rest in thee alone; grant me alfo the petition I make in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen. L THE EIGHTH DAY. ORD God of the Cherubim, who are adorned with the most perfect wisdom, I offer unto thee the merits of these moft glorious spirits, and those of thy fervant St. Francis Xavier, to whom thou didst give the grace of fupereminent wifdom, and to whom thou didst reveal most profound fecrets, that he might teach thy law to many people and nations. I beseech thee to 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; grant me also the favour I beg in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen. L THE NINTH DAY. ORD God of the Seraphim, who are inflamed with most ardent love of thee, I offer unto thee the merits of these moft fervent fpirits, and those of thy fervant St. Francis Xavier, who like a Seraph, was inflamed with thy love, conquering innumerable hardships and dangers of life to please thee, and to make those know and love thee, who before offended thee and knew thee not. I beseech thee to grant that I may love thee, my only God and Lord, and may endeavour to bring all men to the knowledge and love of thee; grant me also that which I ask in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen. Here fay thrice the Lord's Prayer and thrice the Hail Mary, and then the following prayer to St. Francis Xavier. OST holy father Francis Xavier, who didst receive praise from the mouths of innocent children, I humbly K implore thy bountiful charity, for the fake of the most precious blood of Jefus, and of the immaculate conception of our Bleffed Lady, Mother of God, to obtain of God's infinite goodnefs, that at the approach of my last hour, my heart may be feparated and withdrawn from all worldly thoughts and diftractions, and be fixed in the most ardent love of him, and the defire of a happy eternity; fo that, laying afide all earthly things, which have hitherto perplexed me, I may moft diligently feek and perfectly find that one thing which is neceffary, to die and reft in peace, under the protection of the moft holy Virgin Mary, in the wounds of Jefus her most bleffed Son, in the fweet embraces of my God, and in thy prefence, holy Saint, through whofe interceffion I hope to obtain this mercy. But yet, whilft it fhall please the divine providence to preserve my life, I beseech thee, my loving protector and 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, that fo my temporal death may be to me a paflage into life everlasting. I also befeech thee to obtain for me, that which I ask in this Novena, if it be for the glory of God and for the good of my foul. Amen. E TERNAL God, Creator of all things, remember that thou alone didit create the fouls of infidels, framing them to thy own image and likeness: and yet behold, O Lord, how to thy dishonour they daily become a prey to the Evil One. Remember, O Lord, thy only Son Jefus Chrift, who fuffered for them, most bountifully fhedding his precious blood, and permit not that he be any longer defpifed by the infidels; but rather, being appeased by the entreaties and prayers of thine elect, of the Saints, and of the Church the most bleffed spouse of thy Son, vouchfafe to be mindful of thy mercy, and forgetting their idolatry and infidelity, cause them alfo to know him thou didst fend, Jefus Chrift thy Son our Lord, who is our health, our life, and our refurrection, through whom we are made free and are faved, and to whom be all glory for ever. Amen. Ant. Well fare thee, good and faithful fervant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. 7. The Lord hath led the just man by right ways. R. And he hath shown him the kingdom of God. Let us pray. GOD, who waft pleased to reduce to the bofom of thy church the nations of the Indies, through the preaching and miracles of St. Francis Xavier, mercifully grant that we may imitate the virtues of him whose glorious merits we commemorate. Through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. Commemoration of St. Ignatius Loyola. Ant. This man defpifing the world, and triumphing over earthly things, heaped up riches in heaven both by word and work. 7. The Lord hath loved him and hath adorned him. Ry. He hath clothed him with a robe of glory. Let us pray. GOD, who for the increase of the greater glory of thy name, haft, by bleffed Ignatius, ftrengthened the church militant with new auxiliaries; vouchsafe that combating upon earth by his affistance and imitation, we may deferve to be crowned with him in heaven. Through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. Commemoration of St. Gregory the Great, Apostle of England. Ant. O moft excellent Doctor, light of the Holy Church, bleffed Gregory, lover of God's law, fupplicate the Son of God for us. . The Lord hath chosen him a priest unto himself. R. To offer up unto him the sacrifice of praise. Let us pray. GOD, who haft bestowed the rewards of eternal bleffedness on the foul of thy fervant Gregory, mercifully grant that we, who are depreffed with the weight of our fins, may by his prayers be delivered. Through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. |