HWP: St. Francis Xavier

Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, one of the first Jesuits and a man whose zeal for the Lord rivaled that of the Apostles. As we continue in this Advent season, we pray to grow in God's grace and in zeal for souls by this week's Half-Way Prayer:

A Prayer of St. Francis Xavier

My God, I love thee; 

not because I hope for heaven thereby, 

nor yet because who love thee not are lost eternally. 

Thou, O my Jesus, 

thou didst me upon the cross embrace; 

for me didst bear the nails and spear, 

and manifold disgrace. 

And griefs and torments numberless and sweat of agony; 

even death itself, 

and all for one Who was thine enemy. 

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ 

should I not love thee well? 

not for the hope of winning heaven, 

or of escaping hell. 

not with the hope of gaining aught, 

nor seeking a reward, 

but as thyself has lovèd me, 

O ever-loving Lord! 

Even so I love thee, and will love 

and in thy praise will sing, 

solely because thou art my God, 

and my eternal king.