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Incorrupt body of Saint Francis Xavier


From the letters to Saint Ignatius[Loyola]by Saint Francis Xavier, priest

Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel


We have visited the villages of the new converts who accepted the Christian religion a few years ago.No Portuguese live here-the country is so tterly barren and poor. The native Christians have no priests. They know only that they are Christians. There is nobody to say Mass for them; nobody to teach them the Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Commandments of God's Law.

I have not stopped since the day I arrived. I conscientiously made the rounds of the villages. I bathed in the sacred waters all the children who had not yet been baptised. This means that I have purified a very large number of children so young that, as the saying goes, they could not tell their right hand from their left. The older children would not let me say my Office or eat or sleep until I taught them one prayer or another. Then I began to understand: "The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I could not refuse so devout a request without failing in devotion myself. I taught them, first the confession of faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; then the Apostles; Creed, the Our Father and Hail Mary. I noticed among them persons of great intelligence. If only someone could educate them in the Christian way of life, I have no doubt that they would make excellent Christians.

Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Chrisitans for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians. Again and again I have thought of going round the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and everywhere crying out like a madman, riveting the attention of those with more learning than charity:"What a tragedy: how many souls are being shut out of heaven and falling into hell, thanks to you?"

I wish they would work as hard at this as they do at their books, and so settle their account with God for their learning and the talents entrusted to them.

This thought would certanly stir most of them to meditate on spiritual realities, to listen actively to what God is saying to them. They would forget their own desires, their human affairs, and give themselves over entirely to God's will and his choice. They would cry out with all their heart: Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do? Send me anywhere you like-even to India!

1 posted on 12/03/2002 4:46:10 PM PST by Lady In Blue
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To: *Catholic_list; father_elijah; Salvation; nickcarraway; Siobhan; NYer; JMJ333
ping
2 posted on 12/03/2002 5:01:03 PM PST by Lady In Blue
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To: Lady In Blue
BUMP
4 posted on 12/03/2002 5:11:01 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: Lady In Blue
Hi LIB. Sorry I wasn't here to read this story last night. I enjoyed it this morning and have some nice thoughts to think about instead of feeling gloomy. Its cold, rainy, and some sleet is mixed in--not a ray of sunshine in sight. Anyway, I like St. Francis. Thanks for the lovely graphics. You are nice to be so diligent and always post these. I have learned a lot. j+m+j
7 posted on 12/04/2002 7:02:33 AM PST by JMJ333
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To: Lady In Blue

BTTT on 12-03-04, Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, great disciple to the eastern nations!


9 posted on 12/03/2004 6:59:07 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Lady In Blue; father_elijah; nickcarraway; SMEDLEYBUTLER; Siobhan; attagirl; goldenstategirl; ...
Saint of the Day Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Saint of the Day Ping List.

10 posted on 12/03/2004 6:59:48 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Lady In Blue

Praise God and All Saints!


12 posted on 12/03/2004 9:40:44 AM PST by JesseHousman
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To: Lady In Blue

BUMP


13 posted on 12/03/2004 9:45:05 AM PST by nickcarraway
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To: Lady In Blue
Litany of St. Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier, second of St. Ignatius Loyola's original seven followers and proved to be perhaps the greatest individual missionary to the heathen since St. Paul the Apostle; born 1506 in Javier Castle in Navarra, Spain, of noble parents; helped form the Company of Jesus (1534) at Paris, was ordained at Venice with St. Ignatius in 1537; in ten brief years from 1542 he did the work of a thousand ordinary missionaries; died 1552 at Sancian when about to enter China, is enshrined at Goa, was beatified 1619, canonized with St. Ignatius 16221 Feast December 3 (d. maj. in Lat. Ch.); by Pope Pius X was named Patron of foreign missions and of Propaganda; is chief Patron of Navarra and of Fathers of the Precious Blood. Above approved litany written before 1851 when it was included in the Sadlier Golden Manual.

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

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, We beseech thee, hear us.
Through the perils and shipwrecks which thou didst endure, We beseech thee, hear us.
Through thy pains and labors, in the midst of which thou didst so ardently exclaim: Still more! still mo !, We beseech thee, hear us.
Through thy heavenly raptures, in the midst of which thou didst so fervently exclaim: Enough, Lord, enough! We beseech thee, hear us.
Through the glory and happiness which now thou dost enjoy in heaven, We beseech thee, hear us.

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.

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: grant mercifully, 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 livest and reignest, one God, world without end. R. Amen.

Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944


21 posted on 12/03/2005 1:54:07 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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