Novena
The Novena of Grace (Saint Francis Xavier)
Nine-day novena to Saint Francis Xavier · begins 4 March, ending on 12 March; also the nine days before his feast on 3 December
Nine days of prayer to the great missionary of the Indies and Japan, kept from 4 to 12 March. The received prayer adores the Divine Majesty in union with the saint, rejoices in the graces God gave him, and asks through his intercession for the blessing of living and dying in the state of grace before it asks for anything else.
Background
The novena takes its name from the recovery of the Jesuit Marcello Mastrilli at Naples in 1634, after which the devotion spread from the Society of Jesus through the whole Church; the dates 4-12 March end on the anniversary of St. Francis Xavier's canonisation in 1622. It is also made in the nine days before his feast on 3 December. This is a devotional novena, not a liturgical rite. The received form repeats one prayer on each of the nine days, with the versicle Pray for us, Saint Francis Xavier, an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, and the saint's own prayer for unbelievers; the day-by-day subjects below are editorial and the prayer is unaltered.
Days
Intention
the grace of living and dying in God's friendship, missionary zeal, and one particular favour asked in submission to God's will
Usually begun
4 March, ending on 12 March; also the nine days before his feast on 3 December
Structure
nine_days
Duration
9 days
Content subtype
full_novena