St. Francis Xavier Novena in 98th year

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press 

WORCESTER – The St. Francis Xavier Novena practically filled St. John’s Church again – with social distancing taken into account, of course.  

It was the midday Mass on the second day of the 98th annual Novena of Grace. 

The coronavirus pandemic, which the popular novena barely avoided last year, triggered a request that participants reserve seating this March so social distancing could be maintained. 

Unchanged was the fact that members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) were among guest preachers for this devotion to one of their order’s founders. March 5 the homilist was Jesuit Father James M. Hayes, an associate chaplain at the College of the Holy Cross. 

He compared St. Francis Xavier to Christ and held the saint up as an example and intercessor for people today.  

“If we are open to God, God will use us in marvelous ways,” he said. In regards to the first reading, he noted how God used Joseph to save his people from famine after he was sold for silver, and how St. Francis Xavier was sent to the Indies as a last-minute replacement for another Jesuit. 

“King John of Portugal wanted to send a member of this new religious community to Goa, headquarters of the Portuguese colony in India,” Father Hayes said. “The pope designated Francis Xavier to be his papal nuncio to the Indies.” 

Francis, a missionary for 11 years, was not martyred, but “poured himself out imitating the self-emptying love of Jesus Christ,” Father Hayes said. “He was not the stone rejected but became a cornerstone for the Christians in India.”  

Francis feared if he did not baptize thousands, they would be damned to hell, Father Hayes said. He posed a threat to the Brahmin cast of Hindu priests, but the outcasts welcomed him, admiring the simplicity of his teaching. Like Jesus, he often performed healings, which made him even more compelling. His holy life, poverty, joy, and humble, patient manner impressed the people. 

After he ministered to the people of the Fishery Coast and Ceylon, his destination was Malacca, Father Hayes said. He ministered to the sick, the Portuguese, women, slaves, prisoners, soldiers. 

“Even the Muslims were drawn to his character and grace,” Father Hayes said. “Francis demonstrated that an edifying life was the best sermon.”  

In Malacca St. Francis got to know Anjiro, a Japanese nobleman who wanted to be a Christian and who became his guide when he went to Japan.   

“Francis Xavier discovered that he could no longer wear his simple black cassock in Japan,” Father Hayes said. “He had to dress in silk robes, and present gifts to the local leaders in order to secure permission to preach. The customs of the Japanese challenged Francis in countless ways. He wrote to his confreres, ‘In Japan one must trust in God alone.’ …  

“When one reviews the years of the missionary journeys of Francis, one realizes how many days he spent at sea, how many storms he encountered, how much time he spent in prayer gazing up at the heavens,” Father Hayes said. “To be this kind of missionary Francis Xavier had to battle with his own heart.” 

St. Francis Xavier, unlike Jesus, wasn’t rejected to the point of death, Father Hayes said. He met resistance, but persevered. 

“Each (of us) has been called to give witness to the good news of God’s love,” Father Hayes continued. “The best example we can offer is to make every effort to be united with God. We must do battle with our own heart so we can allow Jesus to shine through our lives. We need to adapt our lives, trusting in God completely for what we need. We must rely on helpers who come to our assistance like angels. We must be fearless in our faith.  We will win over countless people by demonstrating our great trust in God.  

“As Teilhard de Chardin wrote, ‘Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence.’ May we become agents of joy in this sorrowful world as Francis was.” 

Father Hayes said he believes that “we must rely on the intercession of the saints, particularly Saint Francis Xavier, to help us to be disciples of Jesus, who … sends us into the world because the laborers are few and the harvest is great.” 

Editor’s note: The Novena of Grace in honor of St. Francis Xavier continues through March 12 at St. John Church, 44 Temple St. To reserve seats visit the website www.stjohnsworcester.org or call 508-756-7165.