supreme spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, that throne of thy glory, that vessel of election to convey thy name to heathen nations, who denied himself to himself, and to all worldly things, casting them out of his heart, that thou alone mightest possess it. I beseech thee to grant that I may despise all worldly things and rest in thee alone; grant me also the petition I make in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

THE EIGHTH DAY.

ORD God of the Cherubim, who are adorned with

L the most perfect wisdom, I offer unto thee the

merits of these most glorious spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, to whom thou didst give the grace of super-eminent wisdom, and to whom thou didst reveal most profound secrets, that he might teach thy law to many people and nations. I beseech thee to grant that I may learn to fear and please thee, which is true wisdom, and that by word and example I may teach others to keep thy commandments; grant me also the favour I beg in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

L

THE NINTH DAY.

ORD God of the Seraphim, who are inflamed with most ardent love of thee, I offer unto thee the merits of these most fervent spirits, and those of thy servant St. Francis Xavier, who, like a Seraph, was inflamed with thy love, conquering innumerable hardshipsand dangers of life to please thee, and to make those know and love thee who before offended thee and knew thee not. I beseech thee to grant that I may love thee, my only God and Lord, and may endeavour to bring all men to the knowledge

and love of thee: grant me also that which I ask in this Novena, to thy greater honour and glory. Amen.

Here say thrice the Lord's Prayer and thrice the Hail Mary, and then the following prayer to St. Francis Xavier:

MOST holy father Francis Xavier, who didst receive

praise from the mouths of innocent children, I humbly implore thy bountiful charity, for the sake of the most precious Blood of Jesus, and of the immaculate conception of our Blessed Lady, Mother of God, to obtain of God's infinite goodness that, at the approach of my last hour, my heart may be separated and withdrawn from all worldly thoughts and distractions, and be fixed in the most ardent love of him, and the desire of a happy eternity; so that, laying aside all earthly things, which have hitherto perplexed me, I may most diligently seek and perfectly find that one thing which is necessary, to die and rest in peace, under the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, in the wounds of Jesus her most blessed Son, in the sweet embraces of my God, and in thy presence, holy Saint, through whose intercession I hope to obtain this mercy: But yet, whilst it shall please the divine providence to preserve my life, I beseech thee, my loving protector and affectionate father, to obtain for me of his divine majesty, that I may live as one that is to die, and as I would wish to have lived at the hour of my death; ever imitating thy virtues, and fulfilling the most holy will of God, that so my temporal death may be to me a passage into life everlasting. I also beseech thee to obtain for me that which I ask in this Novena, if it be for the glory of God and for the good of my soul. Amen.

Novena of St. Joseph.

Say each day one of the following prayers, with three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys:

ON THE FIRST DAY.

LESSED St. Joseph, chosen to be the guardian of Jesus, the protector and consoler of Mary! make powerful intercession for me, that my pious resolutions may not prove abortive; that I may be born to an interior and spiritual life; that I may have such an increase of sanctity, so ardent a love of purity, so great a conviction of my own vileness, so clear a light of the emptiness and vanity of worldly grandeur, as to esteem and relish only things that are eternal: Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

ON THE SECOND DAY.

MNIPOTENT Creator, whose unerring providence adds joy every moment to the angels in heaven, and to the saints upon earth! I most humbly beg, through the intercession of St. Joseph, that I may cheerfully acquiesce and rejoice in everything that comes from thy fatherly hand; that I may be vigorous in executing thy divine will, and glorify thee in my present state. Grant me the true spirit of mortification, to subdue my stubborn passions, to satisfy for what is past, and to be a preservative from future dangers. Grant that by purity of intention, the meanest of my actions may be acceptable to thee, as was the mite of the poor widow, which was put into the treasury of the temple: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ON THE THIRD DAY.

MNIPOTENT God, at whose command every tree

grant, the

intercession of Mary and Joseph, that I may serve thee faithfully in the state in which thou hast placed me. I firmly believe all thou hast revealed: protect me, lest I should be found among the number of those foolish virgins, who carried lamps without oil. Assist me with thy powerful grace, that I may be humble, charitable, and chaste; and not be like the barren fig tree, fit only to become fuel for eternal flames. This grace I implore through the infinite merits of Jesus, my Saviour. Amen.

ON THE FOURTH DAY.

HOLY Ghost, God of all comfort! If thou seest

it expedient for the security of my salvation that I should be oppressed with tribulation, permit me not to fall. Infinite power! bear me up; thou knowest my weakness. Favour me with thy grace, that I may be compassionate towards my neighbour, and govern myself with the same spirit of lenity and charity as if the case were my own. I deplore my censorious temper, and resolve to be upon my guard. I return thee thanks for inspiring me with the resolution of becoming better; but of myself I am not able to persevere in my good intentions. I beg thy assistance, that I may fulfil what thou commandest; and then, dear Lord, command what thou pleasest. Afflict me with such crosses as I can endure, that I may discharge at least a part of the great debt due to the divine justice. Grant, through the intercession of St. Joseph, that after my temporal trials, whether exterior or interior, I may find that permanent joy with which thou renderest Him and His Immaculate Spouse eternally happy: Through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.

ON THE FIFTH DAY.

INFINITE God! how truly may it be said of me, The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib, but thou knowest not thy Lord. I admire thy love and charity! I am ashamed of my tepidity and ingratitude. Infinite goodness! I come too late to love thee, but although it be the eleventh hour, bestow on me the promised reward: be to me a Saviour. Thou hast died for me, let me partake of thy eternal charity. Grant that, through the intercession of St. Joseph, my good resolutions may be perfected. I also beg that when I entertain thee in the most Blessed Sacrament, I may be favoured with the same sentiments of adoration, love and thanksgiving that St. Joseph experienced when he received thee from Simeon, to restore thee to thy blessed Mother. Amen.

JE

ON THE SIXTH DAY.

ESUS, my Maker and my Master, without whose merciful assistance I walk in darkness and perish! I most humbly beg, through the intercession of St. Joseph, that thou wilt grant me grace to escape from the servitude of sin, under which I have so long groaned, in order that I may enjoy the liberty of thy faithful servants. I have frequently experienced thy goodness, and I know thy power; my trust is in both. O grant me constancy to despise the allurements of the world, and to remain undaunted under afflicting terrors. My dear Redeemer, I have too often lost thee by sin; I have willingly and wilfully parted with thee, to follow my corrupt inclinations. O God! who didst come to seek sinners, take pity on me who am the greatest. Thou art now pleased