A SHORT HISTORY OF THE XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND |
At its founding in 1900, inspired by a group of dedicated lay women and aided by a Jesuit priest, Rev. Joseph Stadelman, S.J., Xavier Society was the only Catholic publishing house to make such writings available to the blind, and all services were provided free of charge, a tradition that continues to the present.
In 1904, the Xavier Society became legally incorporated. Its first major undertaking was a transcription of the Bible into Moontype, then New York Point and finally Braille in 1918.
Since its founding, the Xavier Society has continued its pioneering mission by adding large print, audiocassette and most recently digital formats to its Braille offerings. In 1995, the Xavier Society was the first to transcribe the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church, including footnotes and indices, into all three formats. As new translations of Scripture and readings and prayers for the Mass are approved, the Xavier Society will be ready to transcribe and offer them to our clients.
Father John R. Sheehan continues the tradition of this Jesuit-led ministry today, working with 15 other staff members and 80 volunteers to assure that “those without sight may see.”
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The Patron saint of our work is St. Francis Xavier, one of the first Jesuits, who spent his life helping to spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world. He is the patron of missionaries, and ours is very much a missionary venture, taking the word of God to those who need assistance in whatever form best helps them to hear it. A popular devotion to St. Francis is the Novena, a series of prayers recited over a nine-day period. One form of the "Novena of Grace" as it has come to be called is printed here below:
The Novena of Grace In Honor of
Novena Prayers
V. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O Jesus, answer our petitions as we kneel before Thee.
R. O Heart of Jesus, hear and grant our prayers.
V. Let us pray. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful. Enkindle I them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy spirit and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O most lovable and loving Saint Francis Xavier, in union with you I reverently adore the Divine Majesty. While giving thanks to God for the singular graces bestowed on you during your life and your glory after death, I humbly implore you to be pleased to obtain for me, through your powerful intercession, the greatest of all blessings: the grace of living a holy life and dying a holy death. Moreover, I ask you to obtain for me {here mention the spiritual or temporal favor(s) you wish to obtain}.But if what I ask does not serve the glory of God and the good of my soul, then please obtain for me what is more conducive to both.
Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
V. 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 was pleased to add to Thy Church the nations of the Indies, mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits may imitate his virtues, through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
History of Novena of Grace from The Catholic Encyclopedia
The novena in honor of St. Francis Xavier originated in 1633 when Father Mastrilli, SJ was at the point of death as the result of an accident, when St. Francis Xavier, to whom he had a great devotion, appeared to him and urged him to devote himself to the missions of the Indies. Fr. Mastrilli then made a vow before his provincial superior that he would go to the Indies if God spared his life, and in another apparition (3 January 1634) St. Francis Xavier exacted of him a renewal of this promise, foretold his martyrdom, and restored him to health so completely that on that same night Fr. Mastrilli was in a condition to write an account of his cure, and the next morning to celebrate Mass at the altar of the saint and to resume community life. He soon set out for the Japanese missions where he was martyred, 17 October 1637. The renown of the miracle quickly spread through Italy, and inspired with confidence in the power and goodness of St. Francis Xavier, the faithful implored his assistance in a novena with such success that it came to be called the “Novena of Grace”. This novena is now made publicly in many countries from 4 to 12 March, the latter being the date of canonization of St. Francis together with Saint Ignatius Loyola.
Litany of Saint Francis Xavier
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 Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy 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
Legate of the Holy See,
Preacher of the truth and doctor of the nations,
Vessel of election, to carry the Name of Jesus Christ to the kings of the earth,
Shining light to those who sat in the shadow of death,
Full of burning zeal for the glory of God,
Unwearied propagator of the Christian Faith,
Most watchful shepherd of souls,
Most constant meditator on divine things,
Most faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
Most ardent lover of evangelical poverty,
Most perfect observer of religious obedience,
Thou who didst burn with the fire of Divine Love,
Who didst generously despise all earthly things,
Most able guide in the way of perfection,
Model of apostolic men,
Model of all virtues,
Light of infidels and master of the faithful,
Angel in life and manners,
Patriarch in affection for and care of God’s people,
Prophet mighty in word and works,
Whom all the nations and the Church have with one voice associated with the glorious choir of Apostles,
Who was adorned with the crown of virgins,
Who didst aspire to the palm of martyrs,
Confessor in virtue and profession of life,
In whom we reverence, through the Divine Goodness, the merits of all the saints,
Whom the winds and see obeyed,
Who didst take by assault the cities that had revolted from Jesus Christ,
Who was the terror of the armies of infidels,
Scourge of demons and destroyer of idols,
Powerful defense against shipwreck,
Father of the poor and miserable,
Sight to the blind and strength to the lame,
Protector in time of war, famine, and plague,
Wonderful worker of miracles,
Who was endued with the gift of tongues,
Who was endued with the wondrous power of raising the dead,
Resounding trumpet of the Holy Spirit,
Light and glory of the East,
Saint Francis Xavier, we beseech thee, hear us.
Through the cross, which thou didst so often raise among the Gentiles, we beseech thee, hear us.
Through the Faith which thou didst so marvelously propagate, we beseech thee, hear us.
Through thy miracles and prophecies, etc.
Through the perils and shipwrecks which thou didst endure,
Through the pains and labors, in the midst of which thou didst so ardently exclaim, “Still more! Still more!”
Through thy heavenly raptures in the midst of which thou didst so fervently exclaim: “Enough, enough, Lord, enough!”
Through the glory and happiness which thou now dost enjoy in Heaven,
Friend of the Heavenly Bridegroom,
Intercede for us.
Blessed Francis Xavier, beloved of God and men,
Intercede for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. 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 was pleased to add to Thy Church the nations of the Indies, mercifully grant that we who venerate his glorious merits may imitate his virtues, through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.