From the Office of Matins

If you'd like to know a little more about St Francis Xavier, this is the third reading from the Office of Matins. As usual from divinumofficium.

V. Iube Domine, benedicere Benedictio. Ad societatem civium supernorum perducat nos Rex Angelorum. Amen. Lectio 3 Francíscus, in Xavério diœcésis Pampelonénsis nobílibus paréntibus natus, Parísiis sancto Ignátio sese cómitem et discípulum iungit, et brevi mira vitæ austeritáte et rerum divinárum assídua contemplatióne cláruit. A Paulo tértio apostólicus núntius pro Indiis creátus, províncias innúmeras pédibus semper, et sæpe nudis, peragrávit. Fidem Iapóniæ et sex áliis regiónibus invéxit. Multa centéna hóminum míllia ad Christum in Indiis convértit; magnósque príncipes regésque complúres sacro fonte expiávit. Ea tamen erat humilitáte, ut sancto Ignátio, præpósito suo, fléxis génibus scríberet. Eius dilatándi Evangélii ardórem multitúdine et excelléntia miraculórum Dóminus roborávit. Demum in Sanciáno Sinárum ínsula, die secúnda Decémbris, óbiit plenus méritis laboribúsque conféctus. Eum Gregórius décimus quintus inter Sanctos rétulit, Pius autem décimus sodalitáti et óperi Propagándæ Fídei cæléstem patrónum constítuit. V. Tu autem Dómine miserére nobis. R. Deo grátias.

19 V. Grant, Lord, a blessing. Benediction. May He that is the Angels' King to that high realm His people bring. Amen. Reading 3 Francis was born of noble family at Xavier in the diocese of Pamplona. In Paris, he joined the companions and disciples of St. Ignatius, and in a short time became a shining example of austerity of life and untiring contemplation of divine things. Paul III made him apostolic nuncio to India, and he traveled about through countless provinces, always on foot and often barefoot. He brought the faith to Japan and six other regions. In India he converted many hundreds of thousands to Christianity, cleansing many princes and kings in the holy waters of baptism. His humility was so great that, when he wrote to St. Ignatius, his general, he always did so on his knees. By many and wonderful miracles, the Lord confirmed his zealous work in spreading the Gospel. Finally, on the Chinese island of Sancian, he died on the 2nd of December, rich in merits and worn out with his labors. Gregory XV enrolled him among the Saints, and Pius X, appointed him the heavenly patron of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and of its work. V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God