Novena of Grace of Saint Francis Xavier

March 4, 2020 — We invite you to join us in praying the Novena of Grace of Saint Francis Xavier (March 4-12). Below are links for each of the days, providing a printable Novena prayer PDF and a thoughtful reflection on Francis Xavier from Jesuits who share his name.

The present form of the Novena of Grace was begun in the 17th century by Fr. Marcello Mastrilli, SJ (1603-1637). While working in Naples, he sustained serious head injuries. Prayers were offered to St. Francis Xavier and Fr. Mastrilli recovered. In his prayer, Fr. Mastrilli heard the promise that whoever took time each year to complete the nine days of prayer would “experience Francis’s protection and might hope with great assurance that any grace they asked of God would be granted, provided it be for their good and the glory of God.”

The Novena of Grace is traditionally prayed in the nine days leading up to March 12, the day Francis was declared a saint in 1622.

As you offer up your petitions during the Novena, please keep in your prayers our Jesuit men in formation who are discerning a life of service to others as a Jesuit priest or brother, and to our senior Jesuits who continue to dedicate their lives praying for the Church and for the Society of Jesus.

Novena of Grace Reflections 

Day 1: March 4

Day 2: March 5

Day 3: March 6

Day 4: March 7

Day 5: March 8

Day 6: March 9

Day 7: March 10

Day 8: March 11

Day 9: March 12

David Inczauskis, SJ

David was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, and raised in Homer Glen, Illinois. A graduate of Wake Forest University, he met the Jesuits while studying liberation theology at Oxford University and joined the Society after graduation in 2014. 

As a Jesuit, David has been particularly active in academics: studying or working at a university every year since taking first vows in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2016. He published two books in Spanish, one in 2019 on Honduran theater and one in 2022 on Honduran cinema. His current research as a doctoral student in philosophy at Loyola University Chicago focuses on critical phenomenology and Latin American liberation philosophy. Also at Loyola Chicago, he serves as chaplain to the men’s volleyball team and to the Spanglish Christian life community. Off campus, he works as a community organizer with the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership.

After ordination, David will continue as a doctoral student in philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.