Exceptionally rare pamphlet in honour of one of the miracles performed by Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1522), the founder of the Jesuits, and the leader of the first Christian mission to Japan. In 1659, the Portuguese Jesuit congregation organised a novena devoted to him, which ended on the 12th of March, the date of Xavier's canonisation. The novena was centred around one of his miracles: the healing of the Italian Jesuit Alexandre Philipucci (dates unknown), which, coincidentally, had also taken place on March 12. Printed to coincide with the novena, the present pamphlet describes this miracle, and also pleads for the growth (both spiritual and worldly) of the parts of the Indies and other provinces visited by Xavier, for the smooth progress of the missions, and for the preservation of the Portuguese kingdom and the protection of its monarch.
The vellum is somewhat stained, the foot of the front board is slightly damaged, the sewing supports are broken, but the structural integrity of the binding is still intact. The work is lightly browned, with a small worm hole in the lower margin throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Iberian books 121791; OPAC SBN PBEE009185 (1 copy); Porbase 369886 (2 copies, BnP); USTC 5092538 (9 copies); WorldCat 460874676 (1 copy); not in Innocencio.