[The] manner of performing the Novena, or, The nine days devotion to St. Francis Xaverius: of the Society of Jesus, and apostle of India. As also the devotion of the ten Fridays to the same saint.

THE Manner of Performing the NOVENA, OR, The Nine Days Devotion.

THis Novena commences on the 4th of March, and continues Nine Days, that is, till the 12th of March, upon which Day, in the Year 1622. Pope Gregory the XV. Canoni∣zed St. Francis Xaverius. The Per∣sons 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 Xa∣verius; always endeavouring to repose an entire Confidence in the Merits of this Apostle, and hoping through his

means to obtain from God, whatsoever they shall ask, provided it shall be con∣ducing to their Salvation, and the Good of their Souls; or that otherwise, in∣stead 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 Ad∣vocates the Nine Quires of Heavenly Spirits, making particular mention of the Principal Vertues of St. Francis Xaverius, and they are to observe other Directions which shall be given hereaf∣ter. It will be convenient to Confess and Communicate the first Day, that so the Soul being cleansed from Sin, and honoured with the Sacred Eucha∣rist, 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 obtain∣ing their Petition.

In Barcelona, Valencia, and other Cities of Spain, this Novena is perfor∣med in the Church, with great Solem∣nity, great Concourse of People, and daily Sermons upon the Vertues of St. Francis Xaverius. And this is the bet∣ter way, not only because God in the Church, as being the House of Prayer, is more enclin'd to grant our requests; but also, because the Prayer of many together, is more acceptable to God; and when all beg for all, every indivi∣dual the more easily obtains his desire, by reason that Charity adds Force to Prayer, and God is more ready to hear us, when we are united in him; for Christ himself assured us, that where∣soever two or three are gathered to∣gether in his Name, he is in the midst of them. When this Novena is not performed in the Church with the Ge∣neral Concourse of the People, it were convenient, that if it be done in a pri∣vate House, all the Family should joyn in performing it, altogether begging that of God for every one, which each apart begs for himself.

For the Conveniency of such as stand in need of farther Direction, we will here set down those Prayers that are

proper to be said every Day; never∣theless such as are more Devout, may beg the same thing of this Saint, in such Terms and Language, as their Devotion shall dictate, and may direct their Pra∣yer as they think fit: When many to∣gether perform the Novena, one of them may read the Prayers, changing the Singular Number into the Plural, and saying, we desire, we beg, &c. The others may repeat the Prayer after him, or else only hear it with Atten∣tion, inwardly desiring and begging that which is asked in it.

INSTRUCTIONS For the exact Performing of the NOVENA.

THose who perform the Novena, are to observe these Instructions upon all, and each of the Nine Days. First, They are to endeavour to imi∣tate some one of this Saint's Virtues, by practising some exterior Act, or Acts thereof; as for instance, his Zeal,

Humility, Patience, &c. Secondly, they are to do some Work of Mercy, either Spiritual or Corporal, for the Bene∣fit 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 Mor∣tal Sin, &c. Thirdly, They are to offer up to this Saint some particular Mortification, as Fasting, wearing of Hair-Cloth, Disciplining, using them∣selves with less Tenderness, &c. Fourth∣ly, They are to curb their Senses, their Eyes, and Ears, and their Tongue, en∣deavouring to avoid even the least of Sins. Fifthly, They are to read some Chapter or Passage of the Life of this Saint; or meditate a while upon some one of his Vertues (of which you will find many in the Devotoin of the Ten Fridays) with an earnest desire to imi∣tate them. Sixthly, They are to endea∣vour, for the Glory of God, to excite some Person to bear Devotion to this Saint. 7thly, It will be convenient they every Day invoke the Intercession of some one Rank of the Saints, as they do of the Quires of Angels, to the end, that their Advocates and Interces∣sors

being multiplyed (as the Church expresses it) they may the more readi∣ly obtain what they ask. The Classes of Saints may be divided into Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Bishops, Doctors, Priests, Religious, Confes∣sors, Virgins, and other Saints in Hea∣ven. For the more effectual prevail∣ing with St. Francis Xaverius, it will be convenient every Day, to make a spe∣cial Commemoration of St. Ignatius of Loyola, whom St. Francis Xaverius honoured, respected, and loved, as his Father, Master, and Superior.

Upon one of the Nine Days, the Per∣son performing this Devotion, must Confess and Communicate, making a most diligent Preparation to please God and St. Francis Xaverius, for the more ready obtaining of the thing desired.

Such as cannot read, may cause ano∣ther to read these Prayers to them, they giving great Attention to them, and offering them up to St. Francis; or instead thereof they may say Ten Pater Nosters and Ten Ave Maria's, with Ten Gloria Patri's, in Honour of the Ten Years that St. Francis Xaverius spent in Preaching in the

Indies; begging of the Saint whatso∣soever they desire, and praying, as he did, for the Conversion of Infidels.

Tho' the properest time for perfor∣ming this Novena, be from the 4th of March to the 12th, which is the Day of the Canonization of St. Francis Xa∣verius; yet it may be performed at any other time of the Year. Pope Alex∣ander the VII. granted many Indul∣gences to those that Celebrate this No∣vena, in the Church of St. Roch, of the Society of Jesus in Lisbon, which is a tacite Approbation of this Devo∣tion.

How much the Devotion of this No∣vena daily spreads, is well known: On this account St. Francis has obtained Favours for several Persons, as they themselves testify. In the Year 1688 it was perform'd at Madrid with ex∣traordinary Solemnity, in the Royal Chappel of the Palace, their Catho∣lick Majesties being every Day there present.

THE First Day of the NOVENA.

THE Person performing this Devo∣tion, kneeling before an Altar, or the Image of St. Francis Xaverius, 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 Xaverius, and to all the Angels and Saints of Hea∣ven, he shall make the Sign of the Cross, and say the following Prayer.

O Lord Jesus Christ, true God and Man, my Creator and Re∣deemer, for thy sake alone, and be∣cause I love thee above all things; I am sorry from the Bottom of my Heart, for having offended thee; and I do firm∣ly 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 enjoyn'd me; and to make Restitution and Satisfaction, wherever it shall be due from me: For

the Love of thee, I forgive all my Ene∣mies; to thee I offer up my Life, A∣ctions, and Sufferings, in Satisfaction for my Sins; and since I humbly beg it of thee, I trust in thy Goodness and in∣finite Mercy, that thou wilt forgive me them, through the Merits of thy pre∣cious Blood and Passion, and wilt give me Grace to amend my Life, and to persever in thy Service unto my Death. Amen.

MOst Glorious St. Francis Xave∣rius, Apostle of the Indies, if it be for the Glory of God and to thy Ho∣nour, 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.

O God and Lord of the Angels, whom thou dost intrust 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 Xaverius, who was call'd an Angel for his Purity; and be∣cause

he preserved Men from many Spiritual and Corporal Dangers. I be∣seech thee, grant me that Purity of Soul and Body, which thou didst con∣fer on this thy holy Apostle, and that particular Grace, which I beg in this Novena, to thy greater Honour and Glory. Amen.

Here say three Pater Nosters and three Ave Maries, and then the following Prayer to St. Francis Xaverius.

MOst Holy Father Francis Xave∣rius, who receivedst thy Praises from the Mouth of innocent Children; I most humbly implore thy bountiful Charity, for the Sake of the most pre∣cious Blood of Jesus, and of the Im∣maculate Conception of our Blessed La∣dy, Mother of God; to the end thou may'st obtain of God's infinite Good∣ness, that at the Approach of my last Hour, my Heart may be separated and withdrawn from all wordly Thoughts and Distractions, and be fixed in the most ardent Love of him, and a vehe∣ment Desire of an 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 thee, my most loving Pro∣tector, and most affectionate Father, to obtain for me of his Divine Majesty, that I may Live, ••s 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 so my temporal Death may be to me a Passage into Life Everlasting: I also beseech thee to ob∣tain 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 Xaverius the particular Fa∣vour you desire to obtain, heightning as much as in you is, your Confidence in him; with such Words as your affectionate Thoughts shall suggest, or with such Aspi∣rations,

as your Devotions shall dictate.

Then the more to please this Holy A∣postle, in Imitation of him, say that Pra∣yer, 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 Disho∣nour, Hell daily is replenished with them: Remember, O Lord, thy on∣ly 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 Intreaties 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 forgeting their Ido∣latry 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. ••••en.

Then conclude with the Prayer proper to this Saint.

Antiph. Well fare thee, good and faithful Servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place the over many things: Enter in∣to the Joy of thy Lord.

Vers. Our Lord hath guided the just Man by right Ways.

Resp. And hath shewed him the Kingdom of God.

The Prayer.

O God, who wert pleased to re∣duce to the Bosom of thy Church the Nations of the Indies, thro' the Preaching and Miracles of S. Francis Xaverius, mercifully grant us, that we may imitate his Vertues, whose glo∣rious Merits we hold in Veneration. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Commemoration of St. Ignatius de Loyola

Antiph. This man despising the World, and triumphing over Earthly things, heaped up Riches in Heaven by Word and Work.

Vers. Our Lord hath guided the just Man by right Ways.

Resp. And hath shewn him the King∣dom of God.

The Prayer.

O God, who for the Propagation of the greater Glory of thy Name, hast by Blessed Ignatius, streng∣then'd the Church Militant with new Auxiliaries; graciously vouchsafe, that we by his Assistance and Imitation, so∣licitously combating upon Earth, may obtain with him an everlasting Crown in Heaven.

A Commemoration of St. Gregory the Great, Apostle of England.

Antiph. O most excellent Doctor, Light of the Holy Church, Blessed Gregory, Lover of God's Law, suppli∣cate the Son of God for us.

Vers. Our Lord hath, as above.

The Prayer.

O God, who hast bestowed the Re∣wards of Eternal Blessedness on the Soul of thy Servant Gregory, Grant mercifully, that we, who are deprest with the Weight of our Sins, may by his Prayers be delivered. Through our Lord.

The Second Day.

Lord Jesus Christ, true God and Man, &c. as before on the First Day.

Most Glorious St. Francis Xaverius, &c. as the First Day, and so on all the following Days.

A Prayer for this Day.

LOrd God of the Archangels, whom thou dost intrust 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 Xaverius, whom thou ma∣dest the Minister of thy Glory, and to whom thou recommendedst the Spi∣ritual Welfare of innumerable Souls. I beseech thee grant, that I may per∣form those Duties, which thy most Ho∣ly and Divine Will has 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.

The Third Day.

LOrd God of the Principalities, who according to the Disposition of the Divine Will, by means of An∣gels and Archangels, takes care of the Welfare of Mankind, enlightning, in∣structing, and governing them; I offer up to thee the Merits of these most zealous Spirits, and those of thy Ser∣vant St. Francis Xaverius, who en∣lightned and converted many King∣doms and Provinces, and in them innu∣merable Souls, not only by himself, but by his Disciples and Followers, In∣structing, 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.

The Fourth Day.

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 singu∣lar

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 greater Honour and Glory. Amen.

The Fifth Day.

LOrd God of the Virtues, by whose means thou workest Mi∣racles and Prodigies peculiar to thy Sovereign Power: I offer up to thee the Merits of these most Stupendious Spirits, and those of thy Servant St. Francis Xaverius, whom thou madest a new Thaumaturgus, or Worker of new and prodigious Miracles, renewing in him the Signs and Wonders of thy Blessed Apostles, that he might discover the Gospel to new Nations. I beseech thee, grant me that profound Humility, wherewith St. Francis Xaverius, a∣midst 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.

LOrd God of the Dominations, which preside over all inferior Spirits, as Ministers of thy Providence, and submit themselves to thy Will, be∣ing ever ready to fulfil it: I offer up to thee the Merits of these excellent Spirits, and those of St. Francis Xa∣verius, who tho' Superior to many, yet humbly submitted himself to all Su∣periors, 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. Amen.

The Seventh Day.

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 Me∣rits of these supream Spirits, and those of St. Francis Xaverius, that Throne of thy Glory, that Vessel of Election to convey thy Name to new Nations, who denyed himself to himself, and to

all worldly things, casting them out of his Heart, that thou alone mightest 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.

The Eighth Day.

LOrd God of the Cherubins, who are adorned with most perfect Wisdom. I offer up to thee the Me∣rits of these most knowing Spirits, and those of thy Servant St. Francis Xa∣verius, whom thou didst grace with supereminent Wisdom, and to whom thou didst reveal most profound Se∣crets, that he might teach thy Law to many People and Nations. I be∣seech thee, grant that I may learn to fear and please thee, which is true Wisdom, and that by Word and Ex∣ample 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.

The Ninth Day.

LOrd God of the Seraphins, who are inflam'd with most ardent Love of thee: I offer up to thee the Merits of these most fervent Spirits, and those or thy Servant St Francis Xaverius, who like a Seraphin, was enflamed 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 wilt grant me that which I ask in this Novena, to thy grea∣ter Honour and Glory. Amen.

The Rapture of an affectionate Soul be∣fore a Crucifix: Compos'd in Latin by St. Francis Xaverius.

O God, I love thee, not that thou Shouldst love me for't; nor love I do, 'Cause Hell for those that love thee not, Will be their Everlasting Lot. Thou, thou my Jesus didst embrace Me wholly on thy Cross of Grace, Thou bor'st for me in thy last Trance The Thorns, the Nails, the Gall, the Lance, Pains, Anguishes, and bloody Sweats, Much Ignominy, and more evil Treats; And Death: and all for sake of me, For me a Sinner. O Love's Prodigy! Why then, most loving Jesus why, Should I not love thee till I die? Not to avoid the Pains of Hell, Nor yet in Heaven for e'er to dwell, But meerly 'cause thou lovedst me; Not for Reward will I love thee, Will I love thee with all my Heart; Because my God, my Lord thou art.

Amen

This Prayer may be said at the End of both Devotions.

MOst Glorious St. Francis Xave∣rius, Apostle of the Indies, and mighty in thy Works; for the great Compassion thou showest to all Men, and for that most ardent Zeal, with which, during the Term of ten Years, thou didst labour in the East, for the Salvation of Souls; I beseech thee, that thou wilt efficaciously interceed with God for the Conversion of Infi∣dels, and of all Sinners; that thou wilt pray for the afflicted Souls in Pur∣gatory, and for the true Peace and Prosperity of Christians, especially of those that are devoted to thee; and that thou wilt obtain for me of our Lord this Grace and Favour, which I N. beg of thee with the most sincere Affection I am able: Holy Saint, as thou art favourable and loving to all Persons, be so also to me, tho' an un∣worthy Sinner: Grant me this Request, to the Glory of God, and to thy own Honour. Amen.

FINIS.