December 3
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
Liturgical colour : White
3rd classSt Francis Xavier, Confessor
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Commemoration of the Advent feria
Saint Francis Xavier is commemorated today as one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church, renowned for his evangelizing work in Asia. Born in the Kingdom of Navarre in 1506, he became a founding member of the Society of Jesus, inspired by his friendship with St. Ignatius of Loyola. Responding to the call of missionary zeal, Francis Xavier was sent to the East Indies, arriving first in Goa. Over the next decade, he labored tirelessly to bring the Gospel to India, Sri Lanka, Malacca, the Moluccas, and most strikingly, Japan. He is famous for his methodical and deeply compassionate approach: learning native languages, baptizing tens of thousands, and showing profound care for the poor and sick. His spirituality was marked by deep trust in Providence and ardent charity, often risking his health and enduring great hardships for the sake of Christ.
The feast is kept on this day, the anniversary of his death in 1552 on the island of Sancian, near the coast of China. Honoring Francis Xavier during Advent is especially appropriate, as his life embodies the spiritual themes of hope and preparation for Christ’s coming—not only in the world, but into the hearts of those who had never heard His name. The liturgical rank of the feast ensures it is celebrated fittingly but without overshadowing the solemn progression of Advent. Francis Xavier’s legacy continues to inspire missionaries and all Christians to zeal for souls, prayer, and total abandonment to Christ’s will.
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The liturgical day
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
IntroitPs 118:46-47
Latin
Ps 118:46-47
Loquébar de testimóniis tuis in conspéctu regum, et non confundébar: et meditábar in mandátis tuis, quæ diléxi nimis.
Ps 116:1-2
Laudáte Dóminum, omnes gentes, laudáte eum, omnes pópuli: quóniam confirmáta est super nos misericórdia eius, et véritas Dómini manet in ætérnum.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Loquébar de testimóniis tuis in conspéctu regum, et non confundébar: et meditábar in mandátis tuis, quæ diléxi nimis.
English
Ps 118:46-47
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Ps 116:1-2
Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify Him, all you peoples! For steadfast is His kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Deus, qui Indiárum gentes beáti Francísci prædicatióne et miráculis Ecclésiæ tuæ aggregáre voluísti: concéde propítius; ut, cuius gloriósa mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque imitémur exémpla.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio Feria V infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Excita, quǽsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: ut ab imminéntibus peccatórum nostrórum perículis, te mereámur protegénte éripi, te liberánte salvári:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Deus, qui Indiárum gentes beáti Francísci prædicatióne et miráculis Ecclésiæ tuæ aggregáre voluísti: concéde propítius; ut, cuius gloriósa mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque imitémur exémpla.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio Feria V infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Excita, quǽsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: ut ab imminéntibus peccatórum nostrórum perículis, te mereámur protegénte éripi, te liberánte salvári:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
O God, You Who were pleased to gather into Your Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honor his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration Thursday in the First Week of Advent
Put forth Your power, O Lord, we beseech You, and come, that with You as our protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with You as our deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
O God, You Who were pleased to gather into Your Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honor his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration Thursday in the First Week of Advent
Put forth Your power, O Lord, we beseech You, and come, that with You as our protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with You as our deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
LessonRom 10:10-18
Latin
Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Romános
Rom 10:10-18
Fratres: Corde enim créditur ad iustítiam: ore autem conféssio fit ad salútem. Dicit enim Scriptúra: Omnis, qui credit in illum, non confundétur. Non enim est distínctio Iudǽi et Græci: nam idem Dóminus ómnium, dives in omnes, qui ínvocant illum. Omnis enim, quicúmque invocáverit nomen Dómini, salvus erit. Quómodo ergo invocábunt, in quem non credidérunt? Aut quómodo credent ei, quem non audiérunt? Quómodo autem áudient sine prædicánte? Quómodo vero prædicábunt, nisi mittántur? sicut scriptum est: Quam speciósi pedes evangelizántium pacem, evangelizándum bona! Sed non omnes obédiunt Evangélio. Isaías enim dicit: Dómine, quis crédidit audítui nostro? Ergo fides ex audítu, audítus autem per verbum Christi. Sed dico: Numquid non audiérunt? Et quidem in omnem terram exívit sonus eórum, et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Rom 10:10-18
Brethren: With the heart a man believes unto justice, and with the mouth profession of faith is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, Whoever believes in Him shall not be disappointed. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is the same Lord of all, rich toward all who call upon Him. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then are they to call upon him in Whom they have not believed? But how are they to believe Him Whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear, if no one preaches? And how are men to preach unless they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace; of those who bring glad tidings of good things! But all did not obey the Gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report? Faith, then, depends on hearing, and hearing on the word of Christ. But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, indeed, Their voice has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 36:30-31
Latin
Ps 36:30-31
Os iusti meditábitur sapiéntiam, et lingua eius loquétur iudícium.
℣. Lex Dei eius in corde ipsíus: et non supplantabúntur gressus eius. Allelúia, allelúia.
Ps 111:1
Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: in mandátis eius cupit nimis. Allelúia.
English
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right.
℣. The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps do not falter. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 111:1
Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands. Alleluia.
GospelMarc 16:15-18
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secúndum Marcum
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Marc 16:15-18
In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus discípulis suis: Eúntes in mundum univérsum, prædicáte Evangélium omni creatúræ. Qui credíderit, et baptizátus fúerit, salvus erit: qui vero non credíderit, condemnábitur. Signa autem eos, qui credíderint, hæc sequéntur: In nómine meo dæmónia eiícient: linguis loquéntur novis: serpéntes tollent: et si mortíferum quid bíberint, non eis nocébit: super ægros manus impónent, et bene habébunt.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Marc 16:15-18
In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus discípulis suis: Eúntes in mundum univérsum, prædicáte Evangélium omni creatúræ. Qui credíderit, et baptizátus fúerit, salvus erit: qui vero non credíderit, condemnábitur. Signa autem eos, qui credíderint, hæc sequéntur: In nómine meo dæmónia eiícient: linguis loquéntur novis: serpéntes tollent: et si mortíferum quid bíberint, non eis nocébit: super ægros manus impónent, et bene habébunt.
English
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Mark
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Mark 16:15-18
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who believe: in My name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak in new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick and they shall get well.
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Mark 16:15-18
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who believe: in My name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak in new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick and they shall get well.
OffertoryPs 88:25
Latin
Orémus.
Ps 88:25
Véritas mea et misericórdia mea cum ipso: et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu eius.
Ps 88:25
Véritas mea et misericórdia mea cum ipso: et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu eius.
English
Let us pray.
Ps 88:25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted.
Ps 88:25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted.
Secret
Latin
Præsta nobis, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nostræ humilitátis oblátio et pro tuórum tibi grata sit honóre Sanctórum, et nos córpore páriter et mente puríficet.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio Feria V infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Hæc sacra nos, Dómine, poténti virtúte mundátos ad suum fáciant purióres veníre princípium.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio Feria V infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Hæc sacra nos, Dómine, poténti virtúte mundátos ad suum fáciant purióres veníre princípium.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Grant us, we beseech You, almighty God, that the offering of our lowliness may be pleasing to You in honor of Your Saints and may purify us in both body and mind.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration Thursday in the First Week of Advent
May these offerings, O Lord, cleanse us by their mighty power and thus make us come purer before You Who are their author.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration Thursday in the First Week of Advent
May these offerings, O Lord, cleanse us by their mighty power and thus make us come purer before You Who are their author.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
CommunionMatt 24:46-47
Latin
Matt 24:46-47
Beátus servus, quem, cum vénerit dóminus, invénerit vigilántem: amen, dico vobis, super ómnia bona sua constítuet eum.
English
Matt 24:46-47
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui cœléstia aliménta percépimus, intercedénte beáto Francísco Confessóre tuo, per hæc contra ómnia advérsa muniámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio Feria V infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Suscipiámus, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam in médio templi tui: ut reparatiónis nostræ ventúra sollémnia cóngruis honóribus præcedámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui cœléstia aliménta percépimus, intercedénte beáto Francísco Confessóre tuo, per hæc contra ómnia advérsa muniámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio Feria V infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Suscipiámus, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam in médio templi tui: ut reparatiónis nostræ ventúra sollémnia cóngruis honóribus præcedámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
We pray You, almighty God, that we who have received heavenly nourishment may thereby, through the intercession of blessed Francis, Your Confessor, be sustained against all harm and danger.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration Thursday in the First Week of Advent
May we receive Your mercy, O Lord, in the midst of Your temple, and thus prepare with due observance for the coming festal season of our redemption.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
We pray You, almighty God, that we who have received heavenly nourishment may thereby, through the intercession of blessed Francis, Your Confessor, be sustained against all harm and danger.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration Thursday in the First Week of Advent
May we receive Your mercy, O Lord, in the midst of Your temple, and thus prepare with due observance for the coming festal season of our redemption.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium