Friday, June 30 : Saint Francis Xavier

According to the people here we run two dangers. The first is that, after taking our money, our guide may leave us on some deserted island or throw us into the sea so as to escape the governor of Canton. The second is that, supposing he leads us to Canton and we come into the governor’s presence, the latter will treat us badly or throw us into prison. For our proceeding is unheard of. Numerous decrees prevent any one at all from gaining access to China and it is strictly forbidden for foreigners to make their way in without the king’s authorization. Besides these two dangers there are many other even greater ones, that the locals know nothing about. It would take a good deal of time to describe them all; however, I will not pass by without citing some of them. The first is to lose our hope and trust in God’s mercy. It is for his love and service that we go to make known his law and Jesus Christ his Son, our Redeemer and Lord. He well knows this since it was he, in his blessed mercy, who gave us these desires. But to lack confidence in his mercy and might in the midst of the hazards into which we may fall for his service’ sake is an incomparably greater danger than all the evils the enemies of God might raise up against us. For indeed, if his greater service requires it, he will keep us from the dangers of this life, while without God’s permission and authorization, the devils and their attendants can do nothing at all to harm us.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team