Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/617



ORD God  of  the  Archangels,  to  whom  thou  dost intrust the  most  weighty  concerns  of  thy  glory I offer unto  thee  the  merits  of  these  most  diligent spirits, and  those  of  thy  great  servant  St.  Francis Xavier, whom  thou  didst  make  the  minister  of  thy glory, and  to  whom  thou  didst  commend  the spiritual welfare  of  innumerable  souls. I beseech thee to  grant  that  I may  perform  those  duties  which thy most  holy  will  hath  imposed  upon  me,  and  also that I may  obtain  that  particular  grace  which  I beg of thee  in  this  Novena,  to  thy  greater  honour  and glory. Amen.

ORD God  of  the  Principalities,  through  whom thou dost  enlighten,  instruct,  and  govern  mankind, I offer  unto  thee  the  merits  of  these  most  zealous spirits, and  those  of  thy  servant  St.  Francis  Xavier, who, not  only  by  himself,  but  also  by  his  disciples and followers,  enlightened  and  converted  many  provinces and  kingdoms,  and  in  them  innumerable  souls instructing, teaching,  and  baptizing. I beseech thee to grant  me  the  zeal  of  this  holy  Apostle,  and the particular  petition  I make  in  this  Novena,  to thy  greater  honour  and  glory. Amen.

ORD God  of  the  Powers,  to  whom  it  especially belongs to  curb  the  infernal  spirits,  I offer  unto thee the  merits  of  these  mighty  spirits,  and  those  of thy  servant  St.  Francis  Xavier,  to  whom  thou  gavest singular power  to  expel  devils  from  bodies  and  souls. I beseech thee  to  grant  me  the  grace  to  overcome  all the temptations  of  the  devil;  grant  also  that  which