Stand erect and raise your heads: The example of St. Francis Xavier

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on December 3, 2024 at Ernescliff College, Toronto. Jesus addresses a word of hope to His disciples: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Luke 21, 28). During the time of advent, a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord, we may feel a faint whisper of sadness, maybe discomfort. The Lord invites us to stand erect. This is what the life of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was like. What an example of zeal and apostolate. Music: Regi Stone, All Heaven Declares, from Catholic Music Youtube channel