Liturgy & Prayer

“An education in the fullness of humanity should be the defining feature of Catholic schools” Pope Francis (December 7, 2015)

St Francis Xavier’s College is a Diocesan school steeped in the Marist charism. Our mission includes sharing in Mary’s work of bringing Christ’s life to birth in young people, and of nurturing its growth in them.  As members of this school community, we aim to bring the love and goodness of Christ into the world around us through our words and actions, using Mary as an example. St Marcellin taught the first Brothers ‘To make Jesus known and loved’ and that is what we too aim to foster.

We plan and act so that upon leaving St Francis Xavier’s College, our students:

  • have developed a sense of the spiritual and sacred and are courageous in exploring their relationship with God;
  • appreciate the value of ritual, silence, prayer, sacramentality and retreat in building a mature spiritual life;
  • live justly with compassion, understanding and empathy, and;
  • appreciate the interdependence of spiritual, emotional, relational and physical wellbeing.

The unique Catholic prayer and liturgical life at St Francis Xavier’s College are grounded in the Marist Charism. Our prayer and Liturgical celebrations help to build dynamic faith communities and strong relationships and provide enriching faith transformation opportunities for all involved. As a College we honour major feast days and holy days central to our Marist charism, as well as the charism of each of our additional three House Patrons – Dominican, Josephite and Mercy. We also celebrate the feast of our patron Saint Francis Xavier. Students willingly accept their responsibility to participate in a variety of prayer and liturgical celebrations throughout their time at the College.

As a Catholic school the celebration of the Eucharist throughout the year is central. Eucharistic celebrations at St Francis Xavier’s include:

  • Friday morning Mass available for staff and students in the College Chapel
  • College Opening Mass
  • Year 12 Graduation Mass
  • St Francis Xavier Day Mass

There are regular opportunities for the community to come together for prayer and liturgical celebrations. These include:

  • Daily prayer in Tutor Group
  • Staff Monday morning prayer
  • Staff Commencement Liturgy
  • Commissioning of Year 12 School Leaders Liturgy (whole school event)
  • Year 11 Getting to Know You Day Liturgy
  • Year 7 Camp
  • Ash Wednesday
  • Commissioning of Year 11 Tutor Group Representatives Liturgy (House or whole form event)
  • Easter Liturgy
  • Feast day liturgies for St Marcellin Champagnat, St Dominic, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Venerable Catherine McAuley
  • Year 12 Retreats
  • Staff Spirituality Day
  • Student Concluding School Year Christmas Liturgy
  • Staff Concluding Christmas Liturgy