The Novena of Grace
The Church has always rejoiced in the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) who are the saints. These men and women, over the generations and in so many places, have shown what it is to live the Christian life, sometimes to the point of surrendering their own lives in martyrdom. Their earthly lives may have ended but their prayers continue in heaven. The Church has long believed that the saints intercede on our behalf, asking God for the graces and blessings which we forget to ask for or for which we find no time to pray: “Their intercession is their most exalted service to God’s plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church n.2683).
This novena is nine days of prayer, in the company of St Francis Xavier, through the letters he wrote. As a Jesuit, Francisco underwent and then, in turn, led others through the Spiritual Exercises of his great friend St Ignatius Loyola.
The present form of the Novena was begun in the seventeenth century by Fr Marcello Mastrilli SJ (1603-37). While working in Naples, he sustained serious head injuries in an accident. Prayers were offered to St Francis Xavier and Fr Mastrilli recovered. In his own prayer, Fr Mastrilli heard the promise that whoever took time each year to complete the nine days of the Novena would ‘experience Francis’s protection and might hope with great assurance that any grace they asked of God would be granted, provided it be for their good and the glory of God.’
Fr Mastrilli is credited with recovering the body of Francis Xavier from Sancian Island, off the coast of China, and taking it to Goa where it remains today. Fr Mastrilli was himself martyred at Nagasaki in Japan on 17th October 1637 during the Tokugawa shogunate which had banned Christianity in 1614.
The Novena of Grace is traditionally prayed either from 4th to 12th March (the day Francis was declared a saint in 1622) or from 25th November to 3rd December (St Francis Xavier’s feast day). But it is a devotion that may be prayed at any time.
Praying with Saint Francis Xavier: The Novena of Grace (Jesuit Institute London 2018)
A 16-page booklet with readings from the writings of Francis Xavier, reflections and prayers for each of the nine days of the Novena. Also includes the traditional Novena prayer by Fr. Marcello Mastrilli SJ (1603-37).
