Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your
home.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 32, Verse 26-27
26
I said: I will make an end of
them and blot out their name from human memory, 27
had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, that their foes might
misunderstand, and say, “Our own hand won the victory; the LORD had nothing to
do with any of it.”
Meditate on the humility
of Saint Joseph this day; ask his assistance and special protection.
“Blessed are the poor in
spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 5:3)
Saint Joseph[1]
ST. JOSEPH was descended
from the kingly line of David, and was a kinsman of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Matt. i. 1-16). The Gospel gives him the praise of being just (Matt. i. 19),
that is, a man distinguished for all virtues. And surely, as he was chosen from
all other men by God to be the foster-father of His Son, he undoubtedly
excelled, in virtues and sanctity, all saints then living. Of his youth nothing
certain is known to us, and of his later life we know only what the Gospel
relates. He was a carpenter (Matt. xiii. 55), and lived at Nazareth, in Galilee
(Luke ii. 4). Being espoused to Mary, he was inclined, upon learning that she
was with child, to put her away privately, not wishing to expose her to public reproach
but being instructed by an angel, he took her to himself, in obedience to the
command of God, went with her to Bethlehem, and afterwards, with Mary and the
new-born child, fled, without timidity, to Egypt (Matt. ii. 13). At the command
of the angel he returned thence, and again dwelt in Nazareth (Matt. ii. 23). From
this place they went every year to the feast at Jerusalem, where it happened
that Jesus, then twelve years old, remained behind them in the temple, and was
anxiously sought for by them. More than this is not told us. At the time of the
marriage at Cana it would seem that he was no longer living, since there is no
mention made of him. Though little is said of him, that little is rich in
profitable instruction. How worthy to be admired and imitated is his example
his chastity, his tenderness towards Mary, his forbearing to pronounce a
judgment in regard to her condition when he could not explain it, his quick and
unreserved obedience towards God and the commands of authority, his love for
Jesus, and his care for both the mother and the child. On account of his
sanctity God has specially distinguished him by miracles, and the Church honors
him in a particular manner. In the Litany of the Saints he is named among the
patriarchs, and the feast of his patronage is celebrated on the third Sunday
after Easter. Venerate, therefore, St. Joseph choose him for your protector in
life and in death, and make yourself worthy of his protection by following his example.
Instruction
To encourage us to
veneration for St. Joseph St. Teresa wrote “I do not remember to have asked St.
Joseph for anything which he did not grant me. The great favors which God has
granted me through him, and the many dangers of soul and body from which he has
freed me, truly deserve admiration. It seems that God has granted to other
saints the grace of assisting, in particular needs, those who invoke their
intercession; but this glorious saint assists in all needs. The Lord seems
thereby to indicate that, as He was subject to Joseph on earth, so now He
grants him whatever he asks for. The same thing has been experienced by persons
whom I have advised to recommend themselves to him.” “I would gladly advise
every one,” says St. Alphonsus, to have a great devotion towards this saint, since
I have experienced what graces he can obtain from God. For several years I have
asked him, on his feast, for some particular grace, and every time my petition
has been granted. As we all have to die, we should have a particular devotion
towards St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death for all Catholic
Christians consider him to be an intercessor for the dying, and that he
assists, at the hour of death, those who venerate him; and this for three
reasons 1. Because Jesus loves him, not only as a friend, but as a father, on
which account his intercession is more powerful than that of any other saint.
2. Because St. Joseph obtained special power against the evil spirits who tempt
us at the hour of death. 3. The assistance which Jesus and Mary gave to Joseph
at the hour of his own death procured for him the right to obtain a holy and
easy death for his dependents. If in their dying hour they invoke his aid, not
only will he assist them, but he will obtain for them the assistance of Jesus
and Mary. “Ought not these words of a great saint encourage you to venerate St.
Joseph every day? Should not the hope of dying one day under the protection of
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, move you to devotion to the foster-father of Jesus?”
Prayer to St. Joseph.
O most chaste Joseph, who,
by thy purity and other exalted virtues, wast worthy to be chosen for the
spouse of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus, I beseech thee, by the great
graces of which thou wast made partaker, that thou wouldst, by thy
intercession, obtain for all parents grace to rear their children piously; for
all married persons who are distressed and afflicted through poverty and
tribulations consolation and encouragement; for all unmarried persons who have
devoted their chastity to God the grace of perseverance; and, finally, for all
the dying the grace to come, after a happy death, to thy fosterchild, Jesus
Christ, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God,
world without end. Amen.
Spring Begins Top Events and Things to Do[2]
·
Visit
a nursery and purchase seeds or plants.
·
Start
your spring cleaning.
·
Plan
your flower beds and garden.
·
Put
away winter clothes and prepare summer clothes.
International Day of Happiness[3]
International Day of Happiness
Facts & Quotes
·
The theme for International Day of Happiness
2016 was Climate Action for a Happy Planet.
·
In 2016, Red from the Angry Birds was appointed
as Honorary Ambassador for International Day of Happiness in order to further
promote the year's theme of addressing climate change.
·
There are currently about 1.8 billion young people
in the world, more than ever before, creating an unprecedented opportunity for
economic and social progress. Many studies have proved the link between
happiness and productivity.
·
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.- Mahatma Ghandi
·
At this time of grave injustices, devastating wars, mass displacement, grinding poverty and other manmade causes of suffering, the International Day of Happiness is a global chance to assert that peace, well-being and joy deserve primacy.— UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
International Day of Happiness
Top Events and Things to Do
·
Print out and hang up posters of the Ten Keys to Happier Living.
Research has proven that these ten keys have a positive impact on happiness and
well-being.
·
Make the effort to cross an item off of your
bucket list. We all have dreams and goals and fulfilling them creates happiness
and a sense of accomplishment.
·
Give to others. Whether it's donating to a charity
of your choice, volunteering or giving a thoughtful gift, studies have found
that giving makes us happier.
·
Reduce the stress in your life. According to the
American Psychological Association, these are the 5 best ways to manage stress:
1) Take a break from the stressor
2) Exercise
3) Smile and laugh
4) Get social support
5) Meditate
1) Take a break from the stressor
2) Exercise
3) Smile and laugh
4) Get social support
5) Meditate
·
Watch a movie about happiness. Our suggestions: Hector
and the Search for Happiness (2014), Eat, Pray, Love (2009), The
Pursuit of Happiness (2008), Bruce Almighty (2003), Click
(2006) and The Bucket List (2007).
True Happiness[4]
Daily Devotions/Prayers
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