Reflection on St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

“In Thee, O Lord, have I put my hope. Let me never be confounded.”

"O my God, I love You! Not because You have the power to grant heaven or hell, but simply because You are my God." 

As we commemorate this first week of Advent, we recognize one of the Church’s great missionaries on his feast day, December 3: St Francis Xavier. He was born in the 1506 in the kingdom of Navarre in present-day Spain. His family had its castle near the important city of Pamplona. His family is of Basque origin and his family spoke the Basque language. He left home to study in Paris, where he met Ignatius of Loyola, who is from the same Basque region. Xavier and Ignatius were ordained priests in 1537. Along with several other companions who were all studying for the priesthood at the University of Paris, they founded the Society of Jesus in 1538, a new religious order commonly known to the Catholic world as the Jesuits. He heart called him to go to the missions. He left for India as a missionary, stopping in different Jesuit missions in Africa along the way. In 1549, Xavier began the first Christian mission in Japan where he served  for over two years. In 1552, he set sail to begin the first Christian mission in China. However, he was not allowed to disembark his ship. He died of an illness while awaiting entry as he stayed on a nearby island off the coast of mainland China. He was canonized a saint by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, at the same time as Ignatius Loyola.

St Francis Xavier ranks among the greatest missionaries in Christian history. Historians place the number of baptisms that he administered at roughly 30,000 people, but that number may be much higher. A great deal can be learned from Xavier in the way he conducted his life and work with meaning and purpose. He was very driven in bringing Christ’s Gospel to others, yet he he saw God not just as a source of rewards or consequences, but always saw God as the ultimate source of love and grace. His missionary work was always accompanied by great enthusiasm and joy. He was always open to learning new things and open to adapting the Gospel message to a new culture. 

James 1:22 - Be doers of God's word

You must do what the Word tells you and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves. 

James 1:22

(New Jerusalem Bible translation) 

Catholic blessing of the Advent wreath at Mass - first Sunday of Advent - 30 November 2025

Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: 
he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
 he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
 he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God,
 let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
 May the wreath and its light
 be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
 May he come quickly and not delay.
 We ask this through Christ our Lord.
 R/. Amen.

Catholic readings for Thanksgiving day mass - 27 November 2025

Reading 1 -  (Sirach 50:22-24)

Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Gospel - Luke 17:11-19

Reading I  - A reading from the book of Sirach: 

     And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will!
     May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; may his goodness toward us endure in Israel to deliver us in our days.

The word of the Lord. 

Responsorial Psalm

R.    I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. 

R.    I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. 

R.    I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your justice.

R.    I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.
The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.

R.    I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might.

R.       I will praise your name for ever, Lord. 

Reading II - A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians:

     Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The word of the Lord.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Gospel acclamation: 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel - A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke: 

      As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
      And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.  And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.  He was a Samaritan.
      Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

The Gospel of the Lord. 

Readings for a Catholic Funeral

1st Reading - Revelation 22:1-5a,6b-7

23rd Psalm 

2nd reading - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Gospel - John 14:1-6

A reading from the book of Revelation

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away."

The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son."

The Word of the Lord

Psalm 23


R: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me in right paths for his name sake. 


R: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. 

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, 

for you are at my side. 

With your rod and your staff that give me courage. 




R: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. 

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  


R: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. 

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.




R: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. 

A reading from the second Letter of St Paul to Timothy:

Beloved: The time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John:

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
 You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
 If there were not, would I have told you
  that I am going to prepare a place for you?
 And if I go and prepare a place for you,
 I will come back again and take you to myself,
 so that where I am you also may be.
 Where I am going you know the way.”
 
Thomas said to him,
  “Master, we do not know where you are going;
  how can we know the way?”
 
Jesus said to him,
 “I am the way and the truth and the life.
 No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Gospel of the Lord. 

prayers of the faithful for a Catholic funeral

Priest:  My brothers and sisters, Christ is risen from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father, when he intercedes for us.  In confidence, we now join our prayers to his prayers as we pray for our brother. 

The response to each prayer will be: Lord hear our prayer.  

1. In baptism, our brother was given the pledge of eternal life. May he now be admitted to the company of saints. We pray to the Lord.  

2. For our brother who received the body of Christ, the bread of life, that he may be raised up on the last day. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For all gathered here today, that they may be sustained by their faith and by the knowledge that they will be reunited with their brother one day in God’s heavenly Kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 

4.  Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the Kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the family and friends of our brother, that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord, who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. We pray to the Lord.

6. Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day.  Show your mercy to those who suffer unjustly these sins against your love. Gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts today. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Lord God, giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of our Redeemer and the voices of your people.  Grant all those who sleep in Christ a place in your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.  

27 November 2025 - prayers of the faithful for Thanksgiving Day Mass - prison ministry

Introduction: As we gather for Mass on Thanksgiving Day, let us recall our blessings and what we are thankful for. Let us bring to our minds the specific times when we have felt the presence of God who has gifted us with life and love, with mercy and salvation, and with goodness beyond our imagination.

Penitential Rite:

Lord Jesus - you call us to have joyful and grateful hearts.

Christ Jesus - you join us to give thanks to our Heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life - Lord have mercy.

Priest: With grateful hearts and with confidence in God’s care and mercy, we place our prayers before him this Thanksgiving day:

1. We pray in gratitude for God’s loving care, we pray that God will guide our Church leaders, including Pope Leo XIV and Bishop Kopacz. We pray to the Lord.

2. We pray for our nation and our state of Mississippi. We pray for God’s help for our president, our governor, and all our national, state, and local elected officials. We pray to the Lord.

3. We pray for our family, friends, and loved ones. We pray for God’s blessings for them today, especially those most in need of God’s assistance at this time. We pray that all of our families feel our love and prayers reaching out to them.  We pray to the Lord.

4. We pray for the faithful departed and for our loved ones and family members who have gone before us, that God may grant them entrance to eternal life. We pray to the Lord.

5. We pray in gratitude for those who keep us safe: our first responders, the men and women in the military, and our medical professionals, especially those who are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their families. We pray to the Lord.

7. In the silence of our hearts, we present our personal prayer petitions this morning. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: Hear our prayers, loving Father, on this Thanksgiving Day. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever. Amen.