Prayers

I join with you, Saint Francis, in bowing before the God of all Creation. When I look at the great things you did during life, I see what marvels can be achieved by a person blessed by God. I join with you in praising God and giving thanks for all the good things I have been given. Dear Saint Francis, please pray to God for me and ask that I may live and die in God’s favour. In the end, my only wish is for whatever gives glory to God and is good for my health in body, mind and spirit. Amen.

O God, you used Francis Xavier
to take the Christian message to the East.
You inspired his teaching,
supported him in his work
for the poor, sick and oppressed,
and strengthened him
in times of loneliness and trial.
May we who are inspired
by the life of Saint Francis Xavier
imitate his virtues,
and come to our eternal joy with you,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymns

The words of the first hymn are based on a prayer written by Francis Xavier.
The English translation is old, and somewhat dated; however, it is still
sung energetically in many churches where the Novena is traditional.

1. My God, I love thee,
   not because I hope for Heav’n thereby;
   Nor yet since they who love thee not,
   must burn eternally.

Refrain: E’en so I love thee, and will love,
And in thy praise will sing;
Solely because thou art my God and my eternal King.
Solely because thou
art my God and my eternal King.
Thou art my God and my eternal King.

2. Thou, O my Jesus,
   thou dist me upon the Cross embrace;
   For me didst bear the nails
   and spear and manifold disgrace.
   Refrain
3. And griefs and torments
   numberless and sweat of agony;
   E’en death itself –
   and all for me who was thine enemy.
   Refrain
4. Then why, O Blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love thee well? For thou thyself has loved me, O ever-loving Lord! Refrain

Hymn to St Francis Xavier – The Novena hymn – O Thou Who Hearkened

O thou who hearkened to the call
the words Ignatius once let fall:
“What doth it profit man’s desire?”
“Go thou! and set
the world on fire”.

Refrain: St Francis Xavier, hear my prayer,
Bestow thy blessings, everywhere;
Let but God’s holy will be done
and my own soul’s salvation won.
St Francis Xavier, hear my prayer,
St Francis Xavier hear my prayer.

O thou whose trust remained unshaken
in Jesus’ loving heart forsaken;
Now help me wash away with tears
the sinful record of past years.
Refrain

O thou whom love did capture take, a
nd of thy heart a furnace make,
Inflame my soul with burning zeal;
May far off lands hear Christ’s appeal.
Refrain