St. Francis Xavier

Confessor

Greater Double

If in First Vespers only a Commemoration is made of this Feast, mtv

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui Indiárum gentes beáti Francísci prædicatióne et miráculis Ecclésiæ tuæ aggregáre voluísti : concéde propítius ; ut, cujus gloriósa mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque imitémur exémpla.  Per Dominum

Let us pray.
O God, who by the preaching and wondrous works of blessed Francis didst unite unto thy Church the peoples of India : mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits, may likewise follow him in all virtues and godly living.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui Indiárum gentes beáti Francísci prædicatióne et miráculis Ecclésiæ tuæ aggregáre voluísti : concéde propítius ; ut, cujus gloriósa mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque imitémur exémpla.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the preaching and wondrous works of blessed Francis didst unite unto thy Church the peoples of India : mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits, may likewise follow him in all virtues and godly living.  Through.

Oremus.
Deus, ómnium largitor bonórum, qui in fámula tua Bibiána cum virginitátis flore martyrii palmam conjunxísti: mentes nostras ejus intercessióne tibi caritáte conjúnge ; ut, amótis perículis, præmia consequámur ætérna.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O God, the giver of all good gifts, who didst bestow on thy servant Bibiana both the flower of virginity and the palm of martyrdom ; we pray thee, that, by her intercession, our hearts may in such wise be joined in charity unto thee ; that we, being defended against all dangers, may attain unto the rewards of everlasting salvation.  (Through.)

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

Commemoration of the Feria

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  If, however, they are to be taken from the Common, they are read from that of a Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1,  Beatus vir.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Confessors
 

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Francíscus, in Xavério diœcésis Pampelonénsis nobílibus paréntibus natus, Parísiis sancto Ignátio sese cómitem et discípulum junxit.  Ipso magístro eo brevi devénit, ut in rerum divinárum contemplatióne defíxus, a terra aliquándo sublímis elevarétur : quod illi sacrificánti coram pópuli multitúdine aliquóties evénit.  Has ánimi delícias magnis sui córporis cruciátibus merebátur.  Nam interdícto sibi, non carnis solum et vini, sed panis quoque tritícei usu, vílibus cibis vesci sólitus, per bíduum subínde triduúmque omni prorsus aliménto abstínuit.  Férreis in se flagéllis ita sæviit, ut sæpe copióso cruóre difflúeret ; somnum brevíssimum humi jacens carpébat.

Francis was of noble family, and was born in the castle of Xavier, in the diocese of Pamplona.  He was a companion of St. Ignatius at Paris, and one of his earliest disciples.  Under his teaching, he learnt to become so wrapt in the contemplation of divine things, that he was sometimes lifted in ecstasy off the ground, which happened to him several times when he was saying Mass in public before large congregations.  He earned these refreshments of the soul by the sharpest punishment of the body.  He gave up the use not only of meat and wine, but also of wheaten bread ; he lived on the vilest food, and ate only once every two or three days.  He used an iron scourge till his blood ran freely ; he shortened the hours of his rest, and lay only on the ground.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  And gave him perpetual glory.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Vitæ austeritáte ac sanctitáte apostólico múneri jam matúrus, cum Joánnes tértius Lusitániæ rex áliquot nascéntis societátis viros a Paulo tértio pro Indiis postulásset ; sancti Ignátii hortátu, ab eódem Pontífice ad tantum opus cum apostólici núntii potestáte delígitur.  Eo appúlsus, íllico variárum géntium difficíllimis et váriis linguis divínitus instrúctus appáruit.  Quin eum quandóque único idiómate ad divérsas gentes concionántem, unaquæque sua lingua loquéntem audívit.  Províncias innúmeras pédibus semper, et sæpe nudis, peregrávit.  Fidem Japóniæ et sex áliis regiónibus invéxit.  Multa centéna hóminum míllia ad Christum in Indiis convértit ; magnósque príncipes, regésque complúres sacro fonte expiávit.  Et cum tam magna pro Deo ágeret, ea erat humilitáte, ut sancto Ignátio, tunc præpósito suo, fléxis génibus scríberet.

The hardness and holiness of his life had made him meet to be called to be an Apostle, and when John III, King of Portugal, asked Pope Paul III to send to the Indies some members of the then new Society of Jesus, the Pontiff, by the advice of St. Ignatius, sent Francis to enter on that vast field of labour with the powers of Apostolic Nuncio.  When he began his work, it seemed as though God himself taught him the many and difficult languages of the natives.  It even happened that when he preached in one language to a mixed congregation of different nationalities, each one heard him in his own tongue wherein he was born.  He travelled over countless districts, always walking, and often bare-footed.  He introduced the faith into Japan, and six other countries.  In India he turned many hundred thousands to Christ, and regenerated many chiefs and kings in the holy font.  And notwithstanding that he was doing all these great things for God's service, so deep was his lowliness that when he wrote to St. Ignatius, the General of the Society, he did so on his knees.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Hunc dilatándi Evangélii ardórem multitúdine et excelléntia miraculórum Dóminus roborávit.  Cæco visum réddidit.  Tantum marínæ aquæ signo crucis convértit in dulcem, quantum quingéntis vectóribus, qui siti adigebántur ad mortem, diu suffécit : qua in várias quoque regiónes asportáta, ægri plúrimi súbito curáti sunt.  Plures mórtuos revocávit ad vitam, inter quos prídie sepúltum érui jussum e túmulo suscitávit, duósque álios, dum efferéntur, apprehénsa eórum manu, paréntibus e féretro vivos restítuit.  Prophetíæ spíritu passim afflátus, plúrima et loco et témpore remotíssima enuntiávit.  Demum in Sanciáno Sinárum ínsula, die secúnda Decémbris, óbiit plenus méritis, laboribúsque conféctus.  De mórtui cadáver viva calce per multos menses bis óbrutum, sed pénitus incorrúptum, odóre et sánguine manávit ; et ubi Málacam delátum est, pestem sævíssimam conféstim exstínxit.  Dénique ubíque terrárum novis maximísque fulgéntem miráculis, Gregórius décimus quintus Sanctis adscrípsit.  Pius autem décimus ipsum sodalitáti et óperi Propagándæ Fídei cæléstem patrónum elégit atque constítuit.

God was pleased to support his zeal for spreading the Gospel with many and great miracles.  He gave sight to a blind man.  On one occasion the supply of fresh water failed when he was at sea, and five hundred sailors were in danger of perishing by thirst, but the servant of God, by the sign of the Cross, turned salt water into fresh, and they used it for a considerable time.  Some of this water was also carried into different countries, and a great number of sick persons were instantaneously cured by it.  He called several dead men to life, among whom was one who had been buried the day before, and who was disinterred by command of the saint ; and likewise two others who were being carried to the grave, and whom he took by the hand and restored living to their parents.  He had the spirit of prophecy, and foretold many things, remote both in place and time.  Utterly worn out with his labours, he died full of good works in the island of Sanchan in the Canton River.  His body was buried in quick lime, and, being again taken up, was again buried in the same, but at the end of many months it was found entirely incorrupt, and sweet, and, when cut, blood flowed freely from it.  From China it was carried to Malacca, and, as soon as it reached that place, a plague, which was raging there, ceased.  At length, when he had become famous throughout the whole world for new and wonderful miracles, Gregory XV added his name to the list of the Saints.  And Pius X chose and appointed him as heavenly patron of the association and work of the Propagation of the Faith.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.

R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace
(Romans 10 : 15)

If this Feast be reduced to the rank of Simple, and Lesson IX of this Feast is to be said according to the Rubrics, the following abbreviated version may be used.

Francíscus, in Xavério diœcésis Pampelonénsis nobílibus paréntibus natus, Parísiis sancto Ignátio sese cómitem et discípulum jungit, et brevi mira vitæ austeritáte et rerum divinárum assídua contemplatióne cláruit.  A Paulo tértio apostólicus núntius pro Indiis creátus, províncias innúmeras pédibus semper, et sæpe nudis, peragrávit.  Fidem Japóniæ et sex áliis regiónibus invéxit.  Multa centéna hóminum míllia ad Christum in Indiis convértit ; magnósque príncipes regésque complúres sacro fonte expiávit.  Ea tamen erat humilitáte, ut sancto Ignátio, præpósito suo, fléxis génibus scríberet.  Ejus dilatándi Evangélii ardórem multitúdine et excelléntia miraculórum Dóminus roborávit.  Demum in Sanciáno Sinárum ínsula, die secúnda Decémbris, óbiit plenus méritis laboribúsque conféctus.  Eum Gregórius décimus quintus inter Sanctos rétulit, Pius autem décimus sodalitáti et óperi Propagándæ Fídei cæléstem patrónum constítuit.

Francis was born of a noble family at Xavier in the diocese of Pamplona.  In Paris, he joined the companions and disciples of St. Ignatius, and in a short time became a shining example of austerity of life and untiring contemplation of divine things.  Paul III made him Apostolic Nuncio to India, and he travelled about through countless provinces, always on foot and often barefoot.  He brought the faith to Japan and six other regions.  In India he converted many hundreds of thousands to Christianity, cleansing many princes and kings in the holy water of baptism.  His humility was so great that, when he wrote to St. Ignatius, his General, that he always did so on his knees.  By many and wonderful miracles, the Lord confirmed his zealous work in spreading the Gospel.  Finally, on the Chinese island of Sanchan, he died on the 2nd day of December, rich in merits, and worn out with his labours.  Gregory XV enrolled him among the Saints, and Pius X appointed him the heavenly patron of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and of its work.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

The Tomb of St. Francis Xavier
in the Basilica of the Bom Jesu, Goa, India

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Third Nocturn

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis : Eúntes in mundum univérsum prædicáte Evangélium omni creatúræ.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus said unto his disciples : Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Potest omnis creatúræ nómine omnis nátio Géntium designári.  Ante enim dictum fúerat : In viam Géntium ne abiéritis ; nunc autem dícitur : Prædicáte omni creatúræ : ut scílicet prius a Judæa Apostolórum repúlsa prædicátio tunc nobis in adjutórium fíeret, cum hanc illa ad damnatiónis suæ testimónium supérba repulísset.  Sed cum discípulos ad prædicándum Véritas mittit, quid áliud in mundo facit, nisi grana séminis spargit?  Et pauca grana mittit in sémine, ut multárum méssium fruges recípiat ex nostra fide.

By the words Every creature we may understand every tribe of the Gentiles.  Of aforetime it had been said, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, but now, Preach the Gospel to every creature, that, since the Jews had proudly rejected the preaching of the Apostles, that might become our gain which was the seal of their condemnation.  But when the Eternal Truth sendeth forth his disciples to preach, what doth he but scatter seed over the field of the world?  He scattereth abroad a few grains for seed, that he may afterward reap an abundant harvest in our faith.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocates with God.
R.  Amen.

Neque étenim in univérso mundo tanta fidélium messis exsúrgeret, si de manu Dómini super rationálem terram illa elécta grana prædicántium non veníssent.  Séquitur : Qui credíderit et baptizátus fúerit, salvus erit : qui vero non credíderit, condemnábitur.  Fortásse unusquísque apud semetípsum dicat : Ego jam crédidi, salvus ero.  Verum dicit, si fidem opéribus tenet.  Vera étenim fides est, quæ in hoc, quod verbis dicit, móribus non contradícit.  Hinc est enim quod de quibúsdam falsis fidélibus Paulus dicit : Qui confiténtur se nosse Deum, factis autem negant.

The great harvest of faithful souls throughout the whole world would never have sprung up, if the hand of the Lord had not first scattered those chosen grains of preachers over the reasonable soil of men's minds.  Then is written, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved : but he that believeth not, shall be damned.  Now, perchance, thou sayest in thine heart : I believe, and therefore, I shall be saved.  True, if to thy faith thou dost add works.  He only hath a living faith whose life doth not give the lie to his profession.  It is of this that Paul speaketh, where he saith of certain vain believers, They profess that they know God ; but in works they deny him.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Signa autem eos qui creditúri sunt, hæc sequéntur : In nómine meo dæmónia ejícient, linguis loquéntur novis, serpéntes tollent : et si mortíferum quid bíberint, non eis nocébit : super ægros manus impónent, et bene habébunt.  Numquídnam, fratres mei, quia ista signa non fácitis, mínime créditis?  Sed hæc necessária in exórdio Ecclésiæ fuérunt.  Ut enim ad fidem crésceret multitúdo credéntium, miráculis fúerat nutriénda : quia et nos, cum arbústa plantámus, támdiu eis aquam infúndimus, quoúsque ea in terra jam coaluísse videámus : et si semel radícem fíxerint, irrigátio cessábit.  Hinc est enim quod Paulus dicit : Linguæ in signum sunt non fidélibus, sed infidélibus.

And these signs shall follow them  that believe : In my name they shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  My brethren, these signs do not follow us.  Do we, then, not believe?  Nay.  The truth is, these things were needful when the Church was young.  That she might grow by the increase of the faithful, she needed to be nourished with miracles.  So we, when we plant a young tree, continually water and tend it, till we see that it hath taken firm root in the earth : but when once it hath taken firm root, it can grow of itself.  Hence Paul saith of tongues : Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lauds

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui Indiárum gentes beáti Francísci prædicatióne et miráculis Ecclésiæ tuæ aggregáre voluísti : concéde propítius ; ut, cujus gloriósa mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque imitémur exémpla.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the preaching and wondrous works of blessed Francis didst unite unto thy Church the peoples of India : mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits, may likewise follow him in all virtues and godly living.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

St. Francis Xavier Chapel
Basilica of the Bom Jesu, Goa, India

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT