Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, SJ

Today we remember St. Francis Xavier,(1506-1562) the great Jesuit Saint , who was one of the original companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He spent his life as a missionary in India and Japan. The picture to the left is from his tomb in Goa, India on the western coast. His body, which is incorrupt, is still enshrined in a glass casket at in the church which formerly belonged to the Society which he founded. In the year 1614, by order of Claudius Acquaviva, the current General of the Society of Jesus, the right arm was severed at the elbow and conveyed to Rome. An altar was erected to receive it in the church of the Gesu, where it is still on display today. My wife and I visited there in 2008.

The Litany of St. Francis Xavier

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God,
Pray for us.
Saint Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus,
Pray for us.
Saint Francis Xavier, the glory and second pillar of that holy Institute, etc.
Apostle of the Indies and Japan,
Legate of the Holy Apostolic See,
Preacher of the truth and doctor of the nations,
Vessel of election, to carry the Name of Jesus Christ to the kings of the earth,
Shining light to those who sat in the shadow of death,
Full of burning zeal for the glory of God,
Unwearied propagator of the Christian Faith,
Most watchful shepherd of souls,
Most constant meditator on Divine things,
Most faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
Most ardent lover of evangelical poverty,
Most perfect observer of religious obedience,
Thou who didst burn with the fire of Divine Love,
Who didst generously despise all earthly things,
Most able guide in the way of perfection,
Model of apostolic men,
Model of all virtues,
Light of infidels and master of the faithful,
Angel in life and manners,
Patriarch in affection for and care of God's people,
Prophet mighty in word and works,
Whom all nations and the Church have with one voice associated
with the glorious choir of Apostles,
Who wast adorned with the crown of virgins,
Who didst aspire to the palm of martyrs,
Confessor in virtue and profession of life,
In whom we reverence, through the Divine Goodness, the merits of all Saints,
Whom the winds and the sea obeyed,
Who didst take by assault the cities that had revolted from Jesus Christ,
Who wast the terror of the armies of infidels,
Scourge of demons and destroyer of idols,
Powerful defense against shipwreck,
Father of the poor and refuge of the miserable,
Sight to the blind and strength to the lame,
Protector in time of war , famine, and plague, Wonderful worker of miracles,
Who wast endued with the gift of tongues,
Who wast endued with the wondrous power of raising the dead,
Resounding trumpet of the Holy Ghost,
Light and glory of the East,
Through the cross, which thou didst so often raise among the Gentiles,

Saint Francis Xavier,
we beseech thee, hear us.
Through the Faith, which thou didst so marvelously propagate,
we beseech thee, hear us.
Through thy miracles and prophecies, etc.
Through the perils and shipwrecks which thou didst endure,
Through the pains and labors, in the midst of which
thou didst so ardently exclaim, "Still more! Still more!"
Through thy Heavenly raptures, in the midst of which thou didst
so fervently exclaim, "Enough, enough, Lord, enough!"
Through the glory and happiness which now thou dost enjoy in Heaven,

Friend of the Heavenly Bridegroom,
intercede for us.
Blessed Francis Xavier, beloved of God and men,
intercede for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Pray for us, Saint Francis Xavier,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray.
O God, Who by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis
wast pleased to add to Thy Church the nations of the Indies,
mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits
may imitate his virtues, through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son,
Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth,
one God, world without end. R. Amen.