Saint José Manyanet, a priest in 19th-century Spain, fervently promoted devotion to St. Joseph and the Holy Family. He prophesied that a “time of St. Joseph” would soon arrive in the life of the Church. He wrote:
Here is a list a list of remarkable events that have taken place over the past 150 years that show St. Joseph’s increasing importance in the life of the Church. They clearly indicate that we are living in an unprecedented time of St. Joseph.
- 1868 —
Blessed Jean-Joseph Lataste, OP, writes a letter to Blessed Pope Pius IX
asking him to declare St. Joseph the “Patron of the Universal Church.”
- 1870 —
Blessed Pope Pius IX declares St. Joseph the “Patron of the Universal
Church.”
- 1871 —
Founding of the Josephites by Cardinal Herbert A. Vaughan
- 1873 —
Founding of the Congregation of St. Joseph by St. Leonardo Murialdo
- 1878 —
Founding of the Oblates of St. Joseph by St. Joseph Marello
- 1879 —
Apparitions at Knock, Ireland. Saint Joseph appears with the Blessed
Virgin Mary, St. John the Apostle, and Jesus (appearing as the Lamb of
God).
- 1889 — Pope
Leo XIII writes Quamquam
Pluries, an encyclical letter on St. Joseph.
- 1895 —
Blessed Petra of St. Joseph begins construction on a shrine to St. Joseph
in Barcelona, Spain. It is consecrated in 1901. At her beatification in
1994, St. John Paul II calls Blessed Petra the “apostle of St. Joseph of
the 19th century.”
- 1904 — Saint
André Bessette constructs an oratory dedicated to St. Joseph in Montreal,
Canada. It expands, is declared a minor basilica, and finally is completed
in 1967. Today, it is known as St. Joseph’s Oratory and is considered by
many to be the preeminent international center of devotion to St. Joseph.
- 1908 — Saint
Luigi Guanella begins constructing a church dedicated to St. Joseph in
Rome. It is completed and consecrated as a basilica in 1912.
- 1909 — Saint
Pope Pius X officially approves the Litany of St. Joseph.
- 1914 — Saint
Luigi Guanella founds the Pious Union of St. Joseph for the Salvation of
the Dying.
- 1917 —
Apparitions at Fatima, Portugal. During the last apparition on October 13,
St. Joseph appears holding the Child Jesus and blessing the world.
- 1921 — Pope
Benedict XV inserts the phrase “Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste
spouse” into the Divine Praises.
- 1947 —
Spanish Discalced Carmelites found Estudios Josefinos, the first theological journal
devoted to St. Joseph.
- 1950s — The
alleged apparitions of Our Lady of America given to Sr. Mary Ephrem
emphasize a renewed devotion to St. Joseph, and St. Joseph himself speaks
to the visionary about this devotion.
- 1955 —
Venerable Pope Pius XII establishes the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, to
be celebrated on May 1.
- 1962 — Saint
Pope John XXIII inserts St. Joseph’s name into the Canon of the Mass
(Eucharistic Prayer I).
- 1989 — Saint Pope John Paul II writes Redemptoris Custos, an apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph.
- 2013 — Pope
Francis, echoing and fulfilling the intentions of Pope Emeritus Benedict
XVI, inserts the name of St. Joseph into all Eucharistic Prayers. He also
consecrates Vatican City State to St. Joseph.
There are many reasons, but I believe there are two that are especially important.
First, we need the spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph to help us protect marriage and the family. Marriage and the family have always been under attack, but in modern times, the threats have reached extraordinary heights. Many people no longer know what it means to be a man or a woman, let alone what constitutes a marriage and a family. Many countries even claim to have redefined marriage and the family. There is great confusion on these matters, greater confusion than in any previous era of human history. The Servant of God Sr. Lucia dos Santos, the longest-lived visionary of the Fatima apparitions, knew the seriousness of the times and made a powerful statement about this issue. She wrote:
Second, the entire world needs to be re-evangelized, including the vast majority of baptized Christians. Saint Joseph was the first missionary. Today, he desires again to bring Jesus to the nations. Many nations and cultures that were previously Christian have fallen away from their Christian roots and are on a path of self-destruction. Countries once established on Judeo-Christian principles have become overrun by ideologies and organizations that seek to strip society of all that is sacred. Without a major turnaround, civilization itself is going to self-destruct.
In an apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph in 1989, St. John Paul II reminded us of the necessity of invoking St. Joseph in the work of re-evangelizing the world. He wrote:
What exactly is consecration to St. Joseph? In other words, what does it mean for a person to be consecrated to St. Joseph? Well, it basically means that you acknowledge that he is your spiritual father, and you want to be like him. To show it, you entrust yourself entirely to his paternal care so that he can help you acquire his virtues and become holy. Total consecration to St. Joseph means you make a formal act of filial entrustment to your spiritual father so that he can take care of your spiritual well-being and lead you to God. The person who consecrates himself to St. Joseph wants to be as close to their spiritual father as possible, to the point of resembling him in virtue and holiness. Saint Joseph, in turn, will give those consecrated to him his loving attention, protection, and guidance.
Perhaps someone reading this has already consecrated themselves entirely to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is wondering if they can consecrate themselves to St. Joseph and entrust everything to him, as well. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” God desires that all children be committed to the love and care of a mother and a father. You are not a member of a single-parent spiritual family. Mary is your spiritual mother, and St. Joseph is your spiritual father. The spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph is extremely important for your spiritual growth. Total consecration to Mary is not diminished by total consecration to St. Joseph. Mary wants you to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! Jesus wants you to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! Everything you have given to Jesus and Mary can also be given to St. Joseph. The hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are one.
So, is there a book that offers a method of consecration to St. Joseph? Yes, there is! It’s called Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of our Spiritual Father and it follows a method similar to the tried-and-true 33-day preparation method employed by St. Louis de Montfort in his Marian consecration. The 33-day program can be done by individuals, parishes, and entire diocese. Through this program, I hope to spark the first worldwide movement of consecration to St. Joseph!
Consecration to St. Joseph has endorsements from Cardinal Raymond Burke, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Jim Caviezel, Scott Hahn, and many others. Get your copy of Consecration to St. Joseph and be part of the movement! Go to www.consecrationtostjoseph.org to find out more!
Lord, have mercy on us
|
Christ, have mercy on us.
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Lord, have mercy on us.
|
|
Jesus, hear us,
|
Jesus, graciously hear us.
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God the Father of heaven,
|
have mercy on us.
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God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
|
have mercy on us.
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God the Holy Spirit,
|
have mercy on us.
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Holy Trinity, one God,
|
have mercy on us.
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Holy Mary,
|
pray for us.
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St. Joseph,
|
pray for us.
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Renowned offspring of David,
|
pray for us.
|
Light of Patriarchs,
|
pray for us.
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Spouse of the Mother of God,
|
pray for us.
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Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
|
pray for us.
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Foster father of the Son of God,
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pray for us.
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Diligent protector of Christ,
|
pray for us.
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Head of the Holy Family,
|
pray for us.
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Joseph most just,
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pray for us.
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Joseph most chaste,
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pray for us.
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Joseph most prudent,
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pray for us.
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Joseph most strong,
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pray for us.
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Joseph most obedient,
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pray for us.
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Joseph most faithful,
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pray for us.
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Mirror of patience,
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pray for us.
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Lover of poverty,
|
pray for us.
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Model of artisans,
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pray for us.
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Glory of home life,
|
pray for us.
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Guardian of virgins,
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pray for us.
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Pillar of families,
|
pray for us.
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Solace of the wretched,
|
pray for us.
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Hope of the sick,
|
pray for us.
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Patron of the dying,
|
pray for us.
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Terror of demons,
|
pray for us.
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Protector of Holy Church,
|
pray for us.
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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
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spare us, O Jesus.
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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
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graciously hear us, O Jesus.
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Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
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have mercy on us, O Jesus.
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He made him the lord of his household
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And prince over all his possessions.
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Day 2[1]
Lord, have mercy on us
|
Christ, have mercy on us.
|
Lord, have mercy on us.
|
|
Jesus, hear us,
|
Jesus, graciously hear us.
|
God the Father of heaven,
|
have mercy on us.
|
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
|
have mercy on us.
|
God the Holy Spirit,
|
have mercy on us.
|
Holy Trinity, one God,
|
have mercy on us.
|
Holy Mary,
|
pray for us.
|
St. Joseph,
|
pray for us.
|
Renowned offspring of David,
|
pray for us.
|
Light of Patriarchs,
|
pray for us.
|
Spouse of the Mother of God,
|
pray for us.
|
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
|
pray for us.
|
Foster father of the Son of God,
|
pray for us.
|
Diligent protector of Christ,
|
pray for us.
|
Head of the Holy Family,
|
pray for us.
|
Joseph most just,
|
pray for us.
|
Joseph most chaste,
|
pray for us.
|
Joseph most prudent,
|
pray for us.
|
Joseph most strong,
|
pray for us.
|
Joseph most obedient,
|
pray for us.
|
Joseph most faithful,
|
pray for us.
|
Mirror of patience,
|
pray for us.
|
Lover of poverty,
|
pray for us.
|
Model of artisans,
|
pray for us.
|
Glory of home life,
|
pray for us.
|
Guardian of virgins,
|
pray for us.
|
Pillar of families,
|
pray for us.
|
Solace of the wretched,
|
pray for us.
|
Hope of the sick,
|
pray for us.
|
Patron of the dying,
|
pray for us.
|
Terror of demons,
|
pray for us.
|
Protector of Holy Church,
|
pray for us.
|
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
|
spare us, O Jesus.
|
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
|
graciously hear us, O Jesus.
|
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
|
have mercy on us, O Jesus.
|
He made him the lord of his household
|
And prince over all his possessions.
|
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
· The fatherhood of St. Joseph reflected the presence of the heavenly father in the life of Jesus.
· What the Heavenly Father Did for Jesus He Wants to Do for You.
There are few other reasons that enlighten us as to why St. Joseph is so crucial for the Church as a fatherly model for the Christian life. Although he was in the Davidic line, Joseph was not a political agitator, haughtily complaining of Roman occupation and stirring up support for his own cause. Rather, and more positively, he was a builder. The Greek tekton certainly can be translated as carpenter, but also has a broader connotation of craftsman or builder. Joseph, the kingly carpenter, would teach the Son of God, through whom all things were made, to fashion things with his hands. To be a builder or craftsman is fitting for one who is like God, sharing in God’s own creative work. It is from Joseph that Jesus the Creator learned to create. St. John Paul II draws this out in his encyclical Laborem Exercens, describing Christ’s “gospel of work,” and how “he who proclaimed it was himself a man of work, a craftsman like Joseph of Nazareth.”
We also see in Joseph the importance of the role of husband and father. St. Joseph is necessary right now as a model of fatherhood as we face its near extinction. In a piece called The Crisis of Fatherhood, Ray Williams describes how “America is rapidly becoming a fatherless society, or perhaps more accurately, an absentee father society” and gives startling statistics on the effects of the absence of fathers. Fathers have to be spiritual and moral leaders, as it has been widely noted that fathers are the number one influence on the religious practice of their children. St. Joseph’s courageous care for his wife and foster child, through poverty, danger, and hardship, is a model for us as we seek to restore fatherhood to its foundational role in society and the Church.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Knighthood[3]
A knight is a man granted an honorary title of knighthood by a monarch, bishop or other political or religious leader for service to the monarch or a Catholic church, especially in a military capacity. Examples of some orders include Knights of Columbus, Knights of St. Malumba, Knights of St. John, Knights of the Cross and Knights of the Blessed Sacrament.
Pontifical knighthoods are honors conferred by the papal court on laymen who are of irreproachable (fine) character, who have promoted the welfare of society, the Church, and the Holy See (office of the pope). These decorations are bestowed by motu proprio (without any formal request from another person) and forwarded by the Secretary of State, or when petitioned by a bishop expedited through his chancery.
The papal orders of knighthood are:
Day 8[1]
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Joseph was probably a young man, strong, virile, athletic, handsome, chaste, and disciplined; the kind of man one sees sometimes shepherding sheep, or piloting a plane, or working at a carpenter’s bench. Instead of being a man incapable of love, he must have been on fire with love… Instead, then, of being dried fruit to be served on the table of the king, he was rather a blossom filled with promise and power. He was not in the evening of life, but in its morning, bubbling over with energy, strength, and controlled passion.
St. Joseph practiced virtue in a heroic fashion which transformed him into a man’s man.
Virtue. Aristotle says that “excellence is an art won by training and habituation” and that virtue is essentially practicing good habits. To be an excellent man like St. Joseph, is to be virtuous.
Four simple steps to forming virtue.
1. Start Small
When you embark on the journey to practice virtue, you must start small. Don’t try to practice every virtue all at once.
If you desire to become more patient, start by putting up with that one really annoying person at work. Or if you desire to be milder and gentler, start holding your road rage at bay on your commute into work. If you desire to be more pious, start by waking up in the morning and making the Sign of the Cross.
Whatever virtue you decide to tackle, start small.
2. Be Mindful of Your Negative Thoughts and Temptations
Once you begin to form a new habit, you will be tempted to fall back into your old ways. Temptation comes from the world, the flesh, and the devil.
The world is the people and influences around you. They can either lead you to greatness or keep you in mediocrity. I heard it once said, “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” The world will tempt us to be mediocre, but we are called to greatness.
The flesh is your own weak humanity that is further weakened by the effects of original sin. Our love for bodily comforts can tempt us away from virtue. But the man endeavoring to live a life of virtue must “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt. 16:24).
The devil, the third source of temptation, is the last person who wants us to be virtuous. St. Joseph is called the terror of the devils because he was virtuous. Don’t let the devil tempt you from being virtuous.
3. Have A Plan for When You Falter
Needless to say, that when begin to struggle for virtue, we will falter. Have a plan for when you do falter.
Perhaps that really annoying guy at work is beginning to grate on your nerves, have a compliment or kind word ready for him to help you regain your patience.
4. Rejoice at The Small Victories
All virtues are obtained by a hard-fought struggle and with the help of God’s grace. When you win that struggle and the good habit is transformed into a virtue, rejoice!
“For you O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy” (Psalm 92:4)
St. Joseph was able to share in the fatherhood of God because he was virtuous.
If you are single man and hope one day to be a husband and father, you must struggle for virtue like St. Joseph. If you are a married man and you are already a father, you must be virtuous like St. Joseph by being an excellent father.
If you are a single lady who is looking for a husband, ask God to send you a virtuous man. If you are a married woman, be like Our Lady and help your husband be a virtuous man.
St. Joseph, pillar of families and glory of home life, pray for us!
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Vision of Venerable Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God:
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
On Day 17 Father Calloway points out that Joseph was a virgin just as Mary was herself. Joseph desired to love the Lord his God with his entire heart for “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Keeping your heart true to something is being chaste. Saint Joseph has three treasures: Jesus, Mary and you. As his children we have a father with a hearth that is strong, protective, and gentle. He is a father, king, warrior and chaste man of God.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Father Calloway emphasizes
· Saint Joseph will help you have a chaste heart.
Father Calloway states that lust is the predominant vice at work in the hearts of men and women today. Indeed, Mary warned St. Jacinta that many souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh. We are at war with the World, the flesh and the devil. Our sexuality is part of the objective in this battle. It is a double-edged sword that if used via the will of God will cut for us; but if used improperly will cut against us. Joseph as your mentor will help you to be victorious in this battle to be pure in mind, heart, and soul. Seek the protection of the cloak of St. Joseph. If men were to reverence their wives as holy temples, families will be renewed and the devils attacks on the dignity of the human person will be overcome.
Jewish Sexuality
Judaism regards sex as a "divine gift" from God, for the purpose of procreation, as well as for the purpose of companionship and happiness. The core belief is that sexuality is good, and healthy for human beings. This gift from God is a strong drive that Judaism affirms must be under control because it is not just a mere physical act, solely for procreation, but an encounter that involves the whole being. Judaism regards sex as the cord that secures the union of two lovers for life: for shared strength, joy, and ease, and for the rearing of children". In this way, sex becomes a "mitzvah," which is a good deed or meritorious act. One of the most notable attitudes in Judaism is the fact that while it regards sex as a healthy and necessary part of a couple's life, it also asserts that the purpose of the sexual relationship within the bounds of a marriage is to satisfy the needs of the woman first of all.[2]
In an interview by “Our Sunday Visitor” Father Calloway explains the need to go along with St. Joseph.
Our Sunday Visitor: What were some of the more interesting things you learned about St. Joseph?
Father Calloway: A lot of awesome stuff. I discovered the ring that St. Joseph gave to the Virgin Mary on their wedding day is still in existence. It’s known as the Santo Anello, “The Holy Ring,” and it’s housed in the cathedral, in a gigantic reliquary, in Perugia, Italy, which is really close to Assisi. And it’s exposed every year for the faithful to venerate. Married couples and those who are engaged are given the privilege of going up and touching their wedding ring to the Santo Anello. That was just mind-blowing to me. And then, the Holy House of Loreto, the home of the Holy Family in Nazareth, which was transported by angels to Italy in the 13th century. It’s been in Loreto, Italy, ever since. It’s one of the greatest relics on the planet, and I have in my book all the saints who visited it and what they said about it. That stuff was just awesome.
Our Sunday Visitor: It’s fair to say that St. Joseph is often overlooked. Why do you think that is?
Father Calloway: I think part of it is that we don’t have one word from him in the New Testament. For him, actions speak louder than words. Unfortunately, in the early Church, there were a lot of false documents circulating about different things associated with the life of the Holy Family. They’re not approved or inspired writings, they’re apocrypha, but they unfortunately set in motion an image of St. Joseph that he was old, widowed from a previous marriage with children. All that stuff is a legend; it’s never been the teaching of the Church, but all that stuff got into art, and people just looked at St. Joseph like, “Well, he’s not really important. He didn’t say anything, and he was old, and was just there as kind of a fill-in.” People didn’t really pay much attention to him. But now, especially in the last 150 years, the Church has done more to promote St. Joseph than in the previous 1,800 years of Christianity. It’s really building, and I think it’s crescendoing now with this movement of consecration to St. Joseph.
Our Sunday Visitor: That he is not even quoted in Scripture, did that make it difficult for you to do research on him?
Father Calloway: When it comes to a primary source, yes. But it wasn’t too difficult, because you can unpack his actions, his obedience, his faith from the things that he did. Even though he didn’t say anything, his actions speak really loudly. And then you can just look at what was required of a first-century Jewish husband and father with the working and the incredible amount of walking. What would have been going on with him when he had to take his family and flee to Egypt and be there for many years? And then you fill it in with what popes have said, with what saints have said, what mystics have said in the Catholic tradition. After a while, you get a really good picture of who this guy was.
Our Sunday Visitor: What is the image like of St. Joseph that began to emerge as you studied his life?
Father Calloway: You get an image of a guy who was not old. If you do the math, he was required by Jewish law to walk to Jerusalem three times a year to fulfill certain rites of the Jewish religion. If he had to do that three times a year, for let’s say 30 years, if you add up the distance, St. Joseph walked around the planet. There’s no way an old man could do this. You had to be young. So as the model of manhood for his son, our Savior, he had to be young and strong. We call him the Model of Workmen, the Pillar of Families, the Glory of Domestic Life, the Terror of Demons — those are not the titles of an old man who’s taking afternoon naps and forgetting things. You get an image of St. Joseph that he was strong, a worker, really in a certain sense the first knight of the Virgin Mary. He’s the first one who called her “My Lady.” He’s the first one to give his life for Jesus and Mary and sacrifice himself. We’re talking about extraordinary holiness here.
Our Sunday Visitor: You’ve mentioned elsewhere that you encountered difficulties in writing this book, even of a supernatural kind. What do you mean by that?
Father Calloway: Some of it, I can’t go into that much, but the devil did not want the book published. There was resistance. The devil was really trying to destroy the book and not let it get into the hands of people, because the devil knows the power St. Joseph has in his intercession with God. There were some really difficult things in trying to get the book published.
Our Sunday Visitor: What are the spiritual fruits of consecrating oneself to St. Joseph?
Father Calloway: The greatest thing is for us to be drawn closer to Jesus through this. Ultimately, it’s all about Jesus, just like Marian consecration helps us to draw closer to Jesus. The second thing would be, if we are spiritual sons and daughters of St. Joseph, all children are called to resemble their parents. He’s not a biological father, of course, but we can resemble him in his virtues. That litany unpacks many of his virtues. He’s patient, he’s courageous, obedient, faithful. So if we want to be like him, we have to imitate him. That’s a key fruit of seeking to imitate him in our lives. Some people have asked, “Can you really consecrate yourself to St. Joseph if you’ve already consecrated yourself to Mary?” Yes. We’re not members of a one-parent spiritual family.
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]http://www.mesacc.edu/~thoqh49081/StudentPapers/JewishSexuality.
Day 18[1]
On Day 18
Father Calloway points out that Joseph was a gentle soul that was never too
lenient nor too harsh. Joseph’s principal virtue was that of prudence. Prudence
is necessary in the avoidance of erroneous extremes. A prudent man has the
perfect balance of self-restraint, fairness and courage.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph
Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Father Calloway emphasizes
· Saint Joseph will help you develop the virtue of Kings and Rulers: PRUDENCE.
St. Joseph had prudence that was supercharged with the love of God. Unlike human prudence that guides a person to avoid difficulty, suffering and hardship. Joseph sought God’s heart which moved him to always strive for the greater good of God and man, even if it caused him suffering.
St Joseph’s Prudence[2]
1. St. Joseph never acted on impulse. He always reflected before acting. What husband would not have put away his wife without any delay when he discovered that she was about to give birth to a child that was not his’ Not so St. Joseph. He waited and pondered and prayed, and gradually formed the prudent resolve of sending her back in secret to her friends. Even after deciding on this plan as the best, he again waited and commended it to God, turned it over and over in his own mind, prayed still more before proceeding to act. It was this prudence of his, this charitable delay, that earned for him the solution of his doubts by an angel’s voice.
2. St. Joseph had entrusted to him the training up of Jesus. The formation of the character of the divine Child was committed to him. What prudence, what perfect prudence must he have possessed whom God considered as the fit guardian of the Eternal Word! If I were more prudent, God would entrust to me greater works to be done for Him.
3. Our Lady must have had wonderful confidence in the prudence of her spouse when she arose unhesitatingly at dead of night to fly with him to Egypt, just because he told her he had had a dream warning him to do so. But she knew not only how naturally careful and wise he was, but that he had an infused and supernatural prudence that could not be deceived. If I were more prudent, others would trust me more, and listen with greater confidence to my advice or commands.
Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys[3]
Over the centuries there grew many different devotions to St. Joseph, expressing a deep filial love for the foster-father of Jesus. Among them was the powerful Seven Sunday’s devotion.
According to Salt and Light Media, “The story goes that two Franciscan monks who were shipwrecked at sea clung to a plank for two days, and were saved by a man of venerable appearance who miraculously brought them to shore. When they asked who he was, he replied, ‘I am Joseph, and I desire you to honor my seven sorrows and seven joys.'”
Whatever the origins may be, a devotion was developed where the seven sorrows and seven joys of Joseph became the focus of meditation on the seven Sundays preceding his feast on March 19. The first Sunday of these meditations is typically either the last Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February.
Below are the following joys and sorrows of St. Joseph, along with their respective passages in scripture. One approach to these Sundays is to read each passage and consider how Joseph would have felt in the situation. This is a form of lectio divina or “divine reading,” where you are able to put yourself into the scene and see Joseph’s expressions during each episode.
When praying the Seven Sunday’s devotion, it is customary to pray for a specific intention, asking St. Joseph’s powerful intercession for your needs.
1st Sunday
Sorrow (Matthew 1:19) The Doubt
of St. Joseph
Joy (Matthew 1:20) The Message of the Angel
2nd Sunday
Sorrow (Luke 2:7) The
Poverty of Jesus’ Birth
Joy (Luke 2:10-11) The Birth of the Savior
3rd Sunday
Sorrow (Luke 2:21) The
Circumcision
Joy (Matthew 1:25) The Holy Name of Jesus
4th Sunday
Sorrow (Luke 2:34) The
Prophecy of Simeon
Joy (Luke 2:38) The Effects of the Redemption
5th Sunday
Sorrow (Matthew 2:14) The
Flight into Egypt
Joy (Isaiah 19:1) The Overthrow of the Idols of Egypt
6th Sunday
Sorrow (Matthew 2:22) The
Return from Egypt
Joy (Luke 2:39) Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth
7th Sunday
Sorrow (Luke 2:45) The Loss
of the Child Jesus
Joy (Luke 2:46) The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/march-month-st-joseph/march-26th-st-josephs-prudence/
[3]https://aleteia.org/2018/01/28/what-is-the-powerful-seven-sundays-devotion-to-st-joseph/
Day 19[1]
On Day 19
Father Calloway points out that Joseph feared nothing, other then, offending
God and exercised tremendous fortitude in his protection of Jesus and Mary.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Father Calloway emphasizes
· Saint Joseph is a man of courage.
· Saint Joseph will help you to be courageous.
· Saint Joseph will increase the virtue of fortitude in you.
St. Joseph was the biblical example of a US Marine for he was “Always Faithful”. It takes courage and humility to be in the presence of the two most holy humans in the world, Jesus and Mary. It takes courage to love more than you fear evil and suffering. To be a Saint, like Joseph, you must not hesitate to enter enemy territory or undergo spiritual combat. Saint Joseph feared no man because God was with him. St. Joseph could not be intimidated. With St. Joseph as your spiritual father you have nothing to be afraid of. Once your face is set never look back.
Old Men don’t Walk to Egypt[2]
Old men don’t walk in all types of weather 80 miles from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Have an all-night vigil at the birth of their first-born son and then at the command of God walk another 40 miles from Bethlehem to Egypt. An old man then, at the death of Herod, will not be able to walk another 120 miles from Egypt to Nazareth. Joseph, the father of Christ, was a vigorous energetic man who walked wherever he needed to go, guarded his family, worked hard to provide for his family; and spent himself physically and spiritually in the service of his family and his God.
Jesus’ in the Sermon on the mount described a way of life he observed in Joseph. In Joseph, Christ observed a spirit of sacrifice, hard work and devotion to God, his family, and his fellowman. It was in Joseph that Christ observed a man who lived the beatitudes Christ talked about in the sermon.
We too, like our spiritual father, Joseph, must be men who live the beatitudes. Men who love God with their entire mind, heart, soul and strength. Yet, being mere men, we often go astray, walking away from God and becoming lukewarm of heart. When we find ourselves in this condition we must turn around. We must pray for ourselves, reflect on our shortcomings and pray for others who do so as well.
Below is a hike or walk you can pray the Divine Mercy Prayers and reflect on ways you may have been walking away from God.
Beatitudes
Hike[3]
During this hike you will be
praying the Divine Mercy Prayer, Christ asked that we pray for the lukewarm.
"Today bring to
Me the Souls of persons who have become lukewarm and immerse them in the abyss
of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the
most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They
were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your
will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, you are
Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate
Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses,
filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most
Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into
the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for
nothing is beyond Your power. Eternal Father turn Your merciful gaze upon
lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of
Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His
three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy.
Amen.[4]
During this hike you will meditate on each of the
ways you may have been walking away from God; marking each of the points as you
hike stopping multiple times to pray. On the return hike, you will meditate
using the walking towards God meditations. Remember every journey away from
something is a journey toward something—the first meditations are the seven
deadly sins with fear added as an eighth; and you will be meditating on the
Beatitudes of Christ on the way back in reverse order.
Pray the chaplet first or if you
wish after you finish the meditation on the deadly sins. This meditation uses
synonyms of fear, pride, envy, anger, avarice, sloth, gluttony and lust. Words are the music of the human heart;
different words carry different emotions and meanings. If a certain word strikes your heart-it is
the Lord speaking to you.
Walking Away from GOD
(Have I been/Shown?)
1.
FEAR: Terror, Dread, Horror, Fright;
Panic, Alarm, Trepidation, Apprehension.
2.
PRIDE/HUBRIS: Arrogant, Conceit,
Smugness, Self-importance, Satisfaction, Pleasure, Delight.
3.
ENVY: Jealousy, Desire, Resentment,
Spite, Malice, Meanness.
4.
WRATH: Anger, Annoyance, Rage, Fury,
Aggravation, Frustration.
5.
AVARICE: Greed, Materialism,
Covetousness, Acquisitiveness.
6.
SLOTH: Laziness, Idleness, Sluggishness,
Inactivity, Indolence (condition that is slow to develop or be healed and
causes no pain-i.e. fail to resist evil) Apathy.
7.
GLUTTONY: Excess, Exclusivity, Overindulgence,
Intemperance.
8.
LUST: Yearn, Desire, Long for, Hanker
for, Hunger for, Ache for, Crave.
Walking toward GOD
(Have I failed to be, do or show?)
8. CHASTITY (PURITY OF HEART): Cleanliness, Wholesomeness, Spotlessness,
Clarity; Transparency, Knowledge, Honesty, Wisdom. Opposing Deadly Sin: LUST
Blessed are the clean of heart, for
they shall see God. The clean of heart are those who preserve with care the
innocence with which they are invested at holy Baptism, or seek to regain it,
when lost, by penance; those who keep their hearts and consciences unspotted
from all sinful thoughts, particularly from all unchaste thoughts, desires,
words, and acts, and who endeavor in all things to have a pure intention
directed to God alone. They shall see God, that is, they shall know Him even
here upon earth, for as the eye that is to see must be clean, so only souls
that are pure and unstained can behold God. But further, our knowledge is like
our hearts; the purer the heart the clearer and greater is the knowledge of
God. But in the world above they shall see, know, and possess Him as He is.
What blessedness! Strive, therefore, to keep your heart clean. (Goffine’s
Devout Instructions, 1896)
7. TEMPERANCE (POOR IN SPIRIT): Sacrifice, Give Up, Forgo, Let Go, Surrender,
Tithe, Self-Control, Abstention. Opposing Deadly Sin: GLUTTONY
The poor in spirit are:
·
Those
who, like the apostles, readily forsake all earthly things, and for Christ’s
sake become poor.
·
Those
who, happening to lose their property by misfortune or injustice, suffer the
loss patiently, in resignation to the will of God.
·
Those
who, like Jesus, are content with their poor and humble position, seek no
higher or happier one, and would rather suffer want than enrich themselves by
unlawful acts, by fraud or theft.
·
The
rich and noble who set not their hearts upon the riches and greatness of the world
who use their riches and influence to relieve the misery of the needy and
oppressed.
·
Finally,
the truly humble, who, convinced of their weakness, their helplessness and
misery, think lowly of themselves, and regard themselves but as beggars, who
are always in need of the grace of God. To all these, therefore, in whose
hearts the world has no place, there is assured, as their inheritance, the
kingdom of heaven; here the kingdom of grace there the kingdom of glory.
(Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896)
6.
DILIGENCE
(HUNGER & THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS):
Fairness, Impartiality; Righteousness, Evenhandedness, Fair Dealing,
Persistence, Effort, Ethics, Rectitude. Opposing Deadly Sin: SLOTH
Blessed are they that hunger and
thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill. Hunger and thirst denote
the most ardent longing after those virtues which constitute Christian perfection,
such as humility, meekness, the love of God and of our neighbor, penance.
Whoever longs for these virtues as the hungry man does for food and drink and
prays to God for them with perseverance and earnestness, shall have his fill;
that is, he shall be enriched with them, and one day shall be satisfied with
eternal Happiness. (Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896)
5. CHARITY (MERCIFUL): Compassion; Kindness, Pity, Bigheartedness,
Clemency, Openhandedness, Forgiveness, Liberality, Understanding, Leniency,
Will, Benevolence, Generosity. Opposing Deadly Sin: AVARICE
Blessed are the merciful, for they
shall obtain mercy. The merciful here spoken of are:
·
Those
who willingly forgive the injuries done to them.
·
Those
who have compassion on their poor neighbors, and, according to their ability,
sustain them by alms. These shall obtain mercy; that is, God will forgive them
their sins and endow them abundantly with the goods of this world and of the
world to come. Thus, God deals with us as we deal with others. (Goffine’s
Devout Instructions, 1896)
4. PATIENCE (PEACEMAKERS): Relations, Mediation, Negotiation—Prevents Destruction,
I.E. Stem Cell/Abortion, Sufferance. Opposing Deadly Sin: WRATH
Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of God. By peacemakers we are to understand
those who have peace with themselves, that is, a quiet conscience, and who
endeavor to maintain peace among others, or to restore it when broken. Such are
called the children of God, because they follow God, Who is a God of peace, and
Who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world with Him, and to bring down
upon earth that peace which the world itself could not give. (Goffine’s Devout
Instructions, 1896)
3. KINDNESS (MOURNING): Grief, Sorrow; Remembrance, Respect, Loyalty,
Integrity. Opposing Deadly Sin: ENVY
Blessed are they that mourn, for
they shall be comforted. By them that mourn we are not to understand such as
grieve and lament over a death, a misfortune, a loss of worldly goods, or the like;
but those who are grieved that God should be in so many ways offended by
themselves and by others that His Church should be so heavily oppressed, and
thereby so many souls lost that have been redeemed with the precious blood of
Christ. The only evil really to be grieved for is sin, and the tears shed on
account of sin are the only tears that are profitable, for they shall be
recompensed with everlasting joy. (Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896)
2. HUMILITY (MEEK): Modesty, Not Assuming, Reverence, Altruism.
Opposing Deadly Sin: PRIDE/HUBRIS
Blessed are the meek, for they
shall possess the land. That man is meek who does not murmur against God for
sending afflictions upon him, who is not angry at men who do him injury, but
who rather suppresses impatience, anger, envy, and revenge, nay, who seeks to
recompense the evil done him by his neighbor with good. Such a one is greater
than he who takes by storm fortified cities (Prov. xvi. 32); he possesses an
unfailing fountain of peace, quiet, and cheerfulness; by his meekness prevails
over the most hostile minds, is by such means truly a ruler upon earth, and
will one day, for his portion, obtain heaven, the land of the living, there to
enjoy eternal peace. (Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896)
1. LOVE & COURAGE (FAITH-BE NOT
AFRAID): Affection, Adoration,
Friendship, Confidence, Courageous, Trust, Valiant, Reliance, Heroic,
Assurance, Bold, Conviction, Daring, Belief, Fearless, Devotion, Plucky,
Loyalty. Opposing Deadly Sin: FEAR
Love Brothers and sisters do not be
afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. Help the Pope and all those who
wish to serve Christ and with Christ’s power to serve the human person and the
whole of mankind. Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his
saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the
vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid. Christ
knows “what is in man”. He alone knows it. So often today man does not know
what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain
about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt
which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and
trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal
life.[5]
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/march-month-st-joseph/march-26th-st-josephs-prudence/
[3]http://www.lulu.com/shop/http://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-havermale/divine-mercy-hikes/paperback/product-23710456.html
[5]http://www.catholicvote.org/john-paul-iis-first-homily-sacrifice-humility-courage/#sthash.coO9xfTF.dpuf
Day 20[1]
On
Day 20 Father Calloway points out that Joseph was obedient, to his God, his
countrymen, and the laws of the temple, but he was obedient to God first.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph was quick to obey the laws of Judaism and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit; he even obeyed in his sleep. Obedience requires trust. One of the major ploys of the evil one is to instill doubt. Joseph did not doubt. We must obey the 10 commandments; attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days and go to confession. Also, we must defend the laws of the church regarding marriage and the protection of children in the womb. We must be also prepared to suffer mocking or even violence for our obedience to the laws of God.
·
Saint
Joseph is model of obedience.
· Saint Joseph will increase the virtue of obedience in you.
Sleeping St. Joseph[2]
According
to Father Calloway God loves sleep-He made it. In fact, Saint Joseph’s sleep
was so important and powerful that Satan fears it. God wants us to rest-remember
the sabbath. Sleep is pleasing to God.
This is the secret to being indefatigable[3]
Just
sleep. Why don’t people make use of it. I’ve given this secret to everyone,
says God, I haven’t sold it. He who sleeps well, lives well. He who sleeps,
prays. (He who works, prays too. But there’s time for everything. Both for sleep
and for work. Work and sleep are like two brothers. And they get on very well together.
And sleep leads to work just like work leads to sleep. He who works well sleeps
well, he who sleeps well works well.)
Sleep[4].
Something we all need more of, but never seem to get. (If only
we had more time, right?) Today
we’re going to cover how you can. First stop and think!
Sleep is important, and you should get more
of it!
“When you lie
down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
(Proverbs
3:24)
Before we cover why sleep
is important, let’s talk about what happens when you don’t get enough
For example: If you manage to only get four hours of sleep, a sleep deprived body can actually act similarly to an
intoxicated body.
Getting less
sleep than average regularly? This is correlated with increased bodyfat
percentage, more issues with insulin sensitivity, and even a disproportionate
decrease in lean muscle mass when eating a caloric deficit. We all know missing
sleep can make us grouchy, miserable, unfocused, and unproductive. I know I’m
going to have a crappy day in the gym when I don’t get enough sleep the night
before. I know not sleeping enough AFTER a workout day can further hinder
the muscle building process.
So, what else happens when you don’t get enough sleep? “One study found that skipped sleep led to a shrinking brain. The heart and kidneys also take a beating as does your blood pressure. You, in fact, put yourself at continually increased risk for a whole host of lifestyle diseases, including obesity and diabetes.
What is the logical extension of this pattern? Numerous studies link partial sleep
deprivation/disruption and increased
mortality risk!”
Conversely, let’s talk about the awesomeness that is
sleep. Here are the benefits associated with getting enough shut eye:
· Sleep
will enhance your memory performance and creative problem solving skills.
You know, those things that make you smart.
· Sleep can boost your athletic performance.
And we all know appearance is a consequence of fitness.
· Sleep triggers the release of human growth hormone (HGH),
which plays a huge role in muscle and cellular regeneration.
· Sleep cuts your
risk for the common cold (Corona Virus) and
other basic illnesses. Less sick days at work = more productivity, more
awesome, more leveling up.
· Sleep makes you
more resilient to daily stress. aka more willpower!
Moral of the story: Sleep is awesome. Yes, some adults can function perfectly on only five hours of sleep, while others need 9-10 hours of sleep to thrive. Most people will fall in that 7-9 range for sleeping needs. So, let’s get to the root of the problem for most: “I know I need to sleep more, but my day is too busy, and I just can’t get to bed sooner or wake up earlier.” First and foremost, you’re not alone. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly a third of all working Americans get six hours or fewer of sleep a night.
Does any of this
sound like you? I am always freaking tired, and I need five cups of
coffee to get through the day. Even on days when I get enough sleep, I wake up
groggy. I get to ‘bed’ but I toss and turn and it takes me forever to fall
asleep. I hit snooze half a dozen times before miserably crawling out of bed.
A perfect night of sleep
Let’s imagine a
perfect night:
· You go to bed
at a time that you’re happy with.
· You’re not
stressed out because you didn’t just watch The Walking Dead.
· You’re reading
a good book in bed that’s putting you
closer to sleep rather than checking your smart phone or screwing around on the
internet (damn you Twitch.tv).
· You sleep
uninterrupted through the night
· . You have good
dreams.
· When you wake
up, either naturally or with an alarm…you immediately get out of bed, without a
single snooze, and you feel damn good.
· You then crush
your morning routine and dominate your day.
If you’re looking at your screen and laughing right now, you’re not alone. I’d guess this is a pipe dream for a huge majority of our society because they’re not sure how sleep actually works, and thus have NOT made sleep a priority.
It’s time to start
looking at sleep as one of your most important tasks.
How to get better sleep
We have a circadian rhythm (a daily biological clock) that ebbs
and flows throughout the day. Our body uses outside stimuli and
our own activity to produce certain hormones at certain times to make our body
more prepared for the required functions at that time (alertness vs
restfulness).
· When the sun rose, our bodies
are signaled “the day has begun! Get cracking!” We reduce the hormones that
make us sleepy and produce more hormones that allow us to do the things that
need to get done.
· As the sun went down, our
body starts to produce more melatonin, which produces that sleepy feeling and
encourages us to rest/recover. Our only option for light back then was a
candle or campfire. If that went out, we’d have moonlight and nothing else.
· While sleeping, our bodies
knew to cut back on urine production, decrease body temperature, decrease heart
rate, and muscle activity. Our brains are still highly active during our
sleeping.
Unfortunately,
these days, our bodies aren’t tied to the rise and fall of that giant ball of
gas above us. Instead, we use electricity, alarm clocks,
computer screens, smart phone screens, and all other sorts of outside stimuli
to adjust our natural sleeping schedule. This means that our bodies often
have no effin’ clue what time it is!
Here’s how we can get back to our roots:
Trying to get to
bed sooner or fall asleep sooner? Limit your exposure to the
blue glow of your computer screens, TV screens, and phones later in the
evening. Our bodies look at blue light and think “Sun is up! Sky is blue!
Energy! WEEE!” Conversely, lights with a red/orange hue are more reminiscent of
a campfire or candle.
· If you are
somebody who has to spend time on your computer at night, consider installing a
program like F.lux – it syncs with the sunrise and sunset in your time
zone, gradually shifting your screens hue from Blue and bright to red and dim.
I’ve been using the app for over a week now and have quickly adjusted to
it.
· Purchase old-man blue blocker glasses which
limits the colors your eyes are exposed to after the sun has gone.
· Consider
purchasing red lightbulbs to install in your
bedroom.
· Consider getting black-out curtains for your
bedroom windows, especially if you live in a city.
· No TV in bed. This
might be incredibly difficult for you if you’ve been falling asleep to TV for
years. Instead of falling asleep with the blue glow of a TV at the foot
of your bed, read a book – real books or read on a Kindle, no iPads! trust me, it will put you
right to sleep.
· Buy the right TYPE of Mattress for you
· Have allergies? Try a hypoallergenic
pillowcase! Your allergies could be affecting you while you
sleep and having the proper pillowcase can make a world of a difference.
How to get more sleep
Are you doing the
important tasks first?
Are you watching
late night shows long after they’ve become enjoyable, simply
because your DVR records them?
Are you checking
your smart phone while in bed, watching Vine videos, or using your
laptop to watch more shows you don’t really care about on Netflix?
Here are the best
practical tips for giving you the greatest chance at getting into bed earlier:
· Don’t drink caffeine after lunch if possible. Caffeine
can have an effect up to 6 hours after consumption. We love caffeine for many reasons (in moderation);
however, you want to make sure it’s not consumed too late or your body
will revolt.
· Turn off the electronics sooner. I
have to enforce a “laptops closed by 11PM” or a “TV off after 10PM” rule on many
nights or I never get to bed. I get lost in internetland far too easily.
Putting in actual barriers really helps. If you find yourself
checking Facebook and Twitter and other sites incessantly, BLOCK
YOURSELF from those sites after a certain time.
· Stop watching crap TV shows! DVRs
can be helpful, but it’s so easy to record shows without second thought…and
then we end up spending WAY too much time watching TV.
· Shift things by 15 minutes every week. If
you want to get to bed sooner, don’t just try to get to bed an hour earlier
than normal. You’ll probably lie in bed for that whole hour wondering why you
can’t fall asleep, stressing yourself out and making things worse. I shifted my
pattern by waking up 15 minutes earlier and getting to bed 15 minutes sooner.
Then I repeated that process over a series of weeks. Eventually, you can shift
your bedtime by an hour or two but do it gradually!
How to wake up better
Is there any more annoying sound in the world than the “beep
beep beep” of an alarm clock? So here you are, dreaming about riding a
dragon with Daenerys Targaryen, doing improv with Liam Neeson, and playing poker with Iron
Man and Spock…and that damn alarm clock wakes you up. You are now
incredibly groggy and miserable.
Here’s what’s
happening: Remember earlier how we talked about different sleep
cycles? Depending on which cycle you were woken up during, your body can
struggle to move from “asleep” to “wide awake.” Wake up in the right phase and you can feel
energized and ready to go. Wake up in the wrong phase and you will feel
lethargic and sleepy. Because we’re often waking up at times when we’re not
ready to wake up, we need to use technology to our advantage.
This is why snoozing is a horrible idea!
Instead of snoozing, set your alarm for 30 minutes later and
SKIP snoozing entirely. If this is an issue for you, put your alarm
across the room so you need to physically get out of bed to turn it off!
I’ve been using the Sleep
Cycle App to wake up and it’s been really interesting. You simply put
the time in which you want to wake up, put your phone on your bed, and it will
wake you up slowly and quietly in at the best point in a 30-minute window.
Because it also tracks your sleep incredibly accurately, it’s probably the best
99 cents I’ve ever spent on an app. Try a dawn-simulator alarm clock.
Rather than waking yourself up in the pitch black with a disgusting beeping
noise, why not gradually rise as if there was a natural sunrise in your room?
Still feeling
groggy? Go for a walk first thing; a mile every morning, if you can. Walking
outside and seeing that blue sky can trigger your body to release the hormones
that encourage you to feel more awake and alive.
What about naps?
Although generally
not part of a day here in the states, we’re actually programmed to desire a
quick nap in the early afternoon. In other countries, naps are more
socially acceptable (Siesta? Si, por favor!). If you feel bad that
you get tired in the early afternoon, it’s not because you’re lazy. It’s
because you’re naturally wired for naptime. Now, you might still be lazy,
but it’s not related to your nap schedule.
What about second sleep? Biphasic Sleep is sleeping
in two distinct periods. We’re gonna go back in the day again: during winter
months, nighttime could last 12-14 hours. With our bodies production of
melatonin (the “sleepy time” hormone) kicking into high gear when that sun
drops, people had nothing else to do (no TV, PS4, or iPads) and would fall
asleep early. Then they would wake up for an hour or two in the middle of
the night to read, pray, or think, and then fall back asleep for another 4-5
hours before waking up for the day.
If you’ve ever gone to bed at a normal hour, and then
woke up in the middle of the night without being able to fall back asleep for
an hour or so, you know what I’m talking about. Here’s the thing: this is actually quite natural!
Rather than freaking the heck out and lying in bed wondering why you can’t fall
asleep…consider it something that is more common
than our current sleep schedule. Don’t be afraid to turn on the light and
read a book or use the time for meditation until you can fall back asleep. This
one ‘mental shift’ alone can keep your stress levels down and let you get back
to sleep faster and provide you with BETTER sleep.
o Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/march-month-st-joseph/march-26th-st-josephs-prudence/
[3] https://humanumreview.com/articles/the-surrender-of-sleep
[4]https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/are-you-making-these-mistakes-with-your-sleep/
Day 21[1]
On
Day 21 Father Calloway points out that Joseph is a flawless model for us of the
three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most
Faithful, Pray for Us.
Joseph loved God more than Mary. Joseph shows us that a Christian’s relationship with God is a spiritual marriage and for this marriage to work there must be mutual love, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Joseph also never doubted the divinity of Jesus nor his power to conquer evil. He trusted and was faithful in good times and bad.
·
Saint
Joseph is a model of Faith.
· Saint Joseph will increase your Faith.
Adorer of Christ[2]
Father
Calloway points out that Joseph was one of the first Adorers of Christ.
·
"We cannot help but marvel at the faith of
Saint Joseph. Tormenting doubts harass his soul and he is on the point of
leaving Mary. But an angel appears to him and all his doubts and fears vanish.
On the angel's word He accepts the mystery of the Incarnation. In the ensuing
years his faith was to be frequently put to the test. At Bethlehem he had to
content himself with a stable for a home where the Incarnate Word might be
born. Soon after, he was forced to flee in order to save the Infant God, and
when later he returned to the tiny village of Nazareth it was to live there
unknown and in dire poverty. All these trials only tempered his faith. Although
he sees only the Child's wretchedness and poverty, his faith pierces the shroud
and uncovers the hidden God within this weak baby frame. Because his faith was
so strong, Joseph's mind and heart bowed in perfect adoration. Imitate his
faith as you kneel before the humble Christ annihilated in the Eucharist.
Pierce the veil which covers this furnace of love and adore the hidden God. At
the same time respect the veil of love and make the immolation of your mind and
heart your most beautiful homage of faith."
·
"Words cannot express the perfection of his
adoration. If Saint John leaped in the womb at the approach of Mary, what
feelings must have coursed through Joseph during those six months when he had
at his side and under his very eyes the hidden God! If the father of Origen
used to kiss his child during the night and adore the Holy Spirit living within
Him, can we doubt that Joseph must often have adored Jesus hidden in the pure
tabernacle of Mary? How fervent that adoration must have been: My Lord and my
God, behold your servant! No one can describe the adoration of this noble soul.
He saw nothing, yet he believed; his faith had to pierce the virginal veil of
Mary. So likewise, with you! Under the veil of the Sacred Species your faith
must see our Lord. Ask St. Joseph for his Lively, constant faith."
·
"At Nazareth Joseph's days were filled with
work which necessarily took him away at times from his Infant God. During these
hours Mary replaced him, but when evening brought him home again, he would pass
the entire night in adoration, never tiring, only too happy for the chance to
contemplate the hidden riches of Jesus' divinity. For he pierced the rough
garments the Child wore, until his faith touched the Sacred Heart. In profound
adoration he united himself to the special grace of each one of the events in
the life of Jesus. He adored our Lord in His hidden life and in His Passion and
Death; he adored in advance the Eucharistic Christ in His tabernacles: there
was nothing that our Lord could hide from Saint Joseph. Among the graces which
Jesus gave to His foster-father -- and He flooded him with the graces attached
to every one of His mysteries -- is that special to an adorer of the Blessed
Sacrament. That is the one we must ask of St. Joseph. Have confidence, strong
confidence in him. Take him as the patron and the model of your life of
adoration."
·
St. Joseph worshiped Jesus as no saint before
had done. From his deep, calm soul he poured out a very ocean of love -
tenderest love, humblest love, love shrinking from being like the Father's
love, yet also daring to be like it as Mary's had been like the conjoined loves
of Father and of Spirit, as she was Mother and Spouse conjoined. No angel might
love Jesus as Joseph loved Him, as Joseph was bound to love Him. No temporal
love but Mary's could be more like an eternal love than the love of Joseph for
the Child, because of its likeness to the love of the everlasting Father. Aside
from the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph was the first and most perfect adorer of
Our Lord."
- St. Peter Julian Eymard
o Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/march-month-st-joseph/march-26th-st-josephs-prudence/
Day 22[1]
On
Day 22 Father Calloway confirms Joseph was a man of patience.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Joseph shows us patience in the midst of trouble. In the military we would say it was always, “Hurry up and then wait”. Time is a commodity being patient means trusting and being in the present. At Bethlehem Joseph was patient. Being patient is an act of trust in God and Joseph knew that. Life is never easy, and God asks us to trust and be patient. Father Calloway conveys that:
·
Saint
Joseph is a model of Patience.
· Saint Joseph will increase your Patience.
Being patient during times of trial is a door to strength and holiness. When your heart is filled with anxiety call on Joseph for help. Seek to be always peaceful, kind, calm and never abandon your trust in God. One of the greatest challenges to patience is unpleasant and self-centered people. When dealing with these people remember Gods concern and love for them and ask God to help you deal lovingly with them; seek to be kind, peaceful and merciful.
The Roman Canon[2]
In the Roman Rite Catholic
Latin Mass, the center of the Holy Mass is the Canon or Eucharistic
Prayer. In this very sacred part of the Holy Mass, it is introduced by
the Preface and Trice prayed ‘Holy Holy Holy’, ‘Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus’. At this point of the Holy Mass, the
bells are rung and everyone falls on their knees in humble preparation and
adoration. Everyone humbly gets down on their knees for what they
know will soon to take place; Jesus will truly be made present, by the
words of the priest who is in Persona Christi. He exactly repeats Jesus’
words; “This is My Body”, “This is My Blood”. At this
moment, Jesus, the Lamb of God, offers His eternal Sacrifice of His Body and
Blood on the cross, in an un-bloody manner, to Our Father the remission of our
sins.
Although different readings and saints’ feasts were
added in the Roman Missal, the exact words of the Roman Canon were
never changed since the slight change Pope St. Gregory the Great made in 600
AD, when he added a few words to it. The Roman Canon was unchanged
for 1362 years. It was not altered at all until 1962 when Pope John
XXIII permitted the name of St. Joseph to be inserted. Although St. Joseph is such a wonderful powerful saint for the
Catholic Church, the Church carefully guarded the integrity of the Roman Canon
from any alteration. In 1815, hundreds of thousands of signatures of
clergy and laity were gathered to have his name inserted in the Canon.
But the Church would not dare change it.
What is so
very very interesting to me, is that the leverage that finally changed the
Roman Canon, after all those years, came from my own pastor, Monsignor Joseph
Phelan at St. Joseph’s in Capitola California. He collected over 150,000
signatures to put St. Joseph in the Canon. I was baptized by him in the
traditional Latin Rite when I was only 2 days old. We lived closed to
Capitola, in Aptos California. It was not until later that they built
Resurrection Parish where I attended for the next 20 years.
From this
minute change, this small crack in the Roman Canon, Bugnini and his Concilium
were able to dismantle the whole Roman Missal.
The Roman
Canon was the only Canon in the Holy Latin Mass for 1369 years. The New Mass of Pope Paul VI has 4 Eucharistic Prayers
(Canons) in the main part of the missal and many other optional Eucharistic
Prayers in another part of the missal.
We are so
blessed to be traditional Catholics and to be able to pray and work for the
preservation of the Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus of the Holy Latin Mass.
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]http://www.traditionalcatholicpriest.com/2015/03/17/st-joseph-added-to-traditional-catholic-latin-mass-canon/
Day 23[1]
On Day 23 Father Calloway confirms Joseph was a paramour of poverty.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful,
Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Joseph’s ambition was to do the will of God; he had no desire accept to serve. In monetary wealth the Holy Family was poor, living on Divine Providence. Joseph earned his bread by the sweat of his brow and could only provide a home that was small and simple. However, Joseph was a model for “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Joseph was happy and blessed because he was free and detached from the things of this world. He was not far from the Kingdom of God. Joseph never found happiness in material things. He was the freest man alive being satisfied in God’s overflowing love.
· Saint Joseph will help you be poor in spirit.
Joseph lived with Jesus for 30 years, his vocation was one of perpetual adoration.
Eucharistic Adoration[2]
Eucharistic Adoration is the adoration
of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. In the many churches that have
this adoration, the Eucharist is displayed in a special holder called a
monstrance, and people come to pray and worship Jesus continually throughout
the day and often the night. Christ’s great love for us was shown when He was
crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal
life. He loves us without limit, and offers Himself to us in the Holy Sacrament
of the Eucharist. The worship and custody of the Holy Eucharist, independently
of Mass and Holy Communion, can be traced to post-apostolic times.
In his 1965 encyclical “Mysterium
Fidei,” Pope Paul VI wrote, “The Catholic Church has always devoutly guarded as
a most precious treasure the mystery of faith, that is the ineffable gift of
the Eucharist which she received from Christ her Spouse as a pledge of His
immense love, and during the Second Vatican Council in a new and solemn
demonstration she professed her faith and veneration for this mystery...
“No one can fail to understand that
the Divine Eucharist bestows upon the Christian people an incomparable dignity.
Not only while the sacrifice is offered and the sacrament is received, but as
long as the Eucharist is kept in our churches and oratories, Christ is truly
the Emmanuel, that is, ‘God with us.’ Day and night, He is in our midst, He
dwells with us, full of grace and truth. He restores morality, nourishes,
virtues, consoles the afflicted, strengthens the weak. He proposes His own
example to those who come to Him that all may learn to be, like Himself, meek
and humble of heart and to seek not their own interests but those of God.”
Adoration means coming before the Real
Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. But what does that mean? What, or better
who, is the reality of which we speak when we talk about the Real Presence?
This reality, as the Church has
solemnly defined the truth for the faithful, is the “totus Christus,” the whole
Christ: body and blood, soul and divinity. This is not a rhetorical expression
nor a verse of poetry. It is an article of the undivided Roman Catholic faith.
There can be no doubt what the
faithful are told when they are told to believe in this mystery. Once the words
of consecration have been pronounced by a validly ordained priest, what used to
be bread and wine are no longer bread and wine. Only the appearances or,
rather, only the external physical properties of the former elements, remain.
There is now on the altar Jesus Christ, true God and true man, full God and
full man.
Does this mean that Jesus is present
in the Eucharist? Yes. Is it Jesus in His divine nature? Yes. Is it Jesus in
His human nature? Yes. But if Jesus in the Eucharist is really and truly
present, is He there with all that makes Him not only man, but makes Him this
man? Yes. After all, when God assumed human nature, He assumed this nature as a
particular single human being. The divine Person of the Son of God did not
merely in some abstract sense become human. He became a definite, historically
specific human being.
Thus in the Eucharist is present the
Jesus of history: the one who was conceived of His mother Mary at Nazareth; who
was born in a stable at Bethlehem; who lived for 30 years in Palestine; and who
walked and talked and wept and slept and ate and drank; who shed real red blood
on the cross and who rose from the grave, and after His resurrection had the
incredulous disciples put their fingers into His pierced side.
When, then, we speak of the Real Presence
we imply that part of this reality, which is Christ, is the heart of flesh and
blood that every human being has and also Christ has in the glorified body He
now possesses since the resurrection.
Note what we are saying. We are
affirming that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is not only a historical memory, as
recorded by St. John when he tells us that the sacred side of the Savior was
pierced on Calvary. Nor are we saying merely that, rising from the dead, Christ
is now at the right hand of His heavenly Father in body and soul and therefore
also with His human heart. Nor are we saying simply that in the Eucharist is
some sort of abstract memorial of the real Christ, who is actually in heaven
and no longer on earth. No; we profess on faith that Jesus is now simultaneously
both in heaven and on earth; that He truly ascended into heaven and is truly
still on earth; that although He left us visibly, He is with us really.
This means that the heart of Christ is
in our midst, because Jesus is in our midst. He is the same Jesus in heaven and
on earth. So, He must be present here with His Sacred Heart of flesh, living
and beating in the bosom of a living human being.
He is present with His Sacred Heart,
at once human and divine: human because He has a genuine human nature, like
ours in all things but sin, and a truly divine nature, like that of the Father,
with whom He is one God, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
But that is not all. We know that the
heart of Christ is more than just a physical organ of His human body. It is
also the symbol of God’s love for the human race, and, indeed, of the eternal
love (that obtains) within the Blessed Trinity.
by Caitlin Sica
The first time I went to adoration I was a sophomore
in college, and it was unintentional.
Really. I was on vacation with a group of friends, but
I made sure to check online for the nearest Mass schedule. I pulled into the
parking lot at 10:20—10 minutes to spare, life was good. Except…the parking lot
was empty. I walked to the front of the church—the doors were locked. I looked
at the sign out front and realized I had missed Mass. Slightly panicked; I
wasn’t sure what to do. I walked around for a bit and then remembered that this
parish had perpetual adoration.
Restless
I walked up the hill to this tiny little chapel,
opened the doors, and stepped inside. It was dark, chilly, and extremely quiet.
I slid into a pew, knelt, and began to pray. I thought I could hear myself
thinking. I looked down at my watch…3 minutes had passed. 3 minutes? I could
hardly believe it. I looked next to me at the only other person who was in the
chapel—a monk, who was sitting, barefooted, eyes closed, and smiling.
He made it look so easy, so peaceful. I, on the other
hand, was in agony. I had promised myself I would stay in adoration for an
hour—since that’s about how long Mass was. I closed my eyes, tried to relax.
“Pray, Caitlin,” I coached myself, “it’s not that hard.” I opened my eyes.
Another 5 minutes had gone by. 52 minutes to go, but who was counting?
Then it dawned on me that my whole attitude was wrong.
God wasn’t forcing me to be there, to spend an hour with Him because I had
missed Mass. I was choosing to be there. Did I want to be there? Did I want to
spend time with Jesus? I did. So, I asked God for the grace to let me sit there
with Him, in silence, peacefully.
Body, Soul, Blood and
Divinity
I gazed upon the monstrance, containing Jesus — body,
soul, blood, and divinity — and smiled at the intimacy of it all. I closed my
eyes for the third time and prayed. This time, when I opened my eyes an hour
had gone by! Halleluiah! I was filled with joy—not because I had fulfilled my made-up
requirement, but because God had stilled my heart.
I left that chapel filled with a peace, contentment,
and joy unlike anything I had felt before.
While it would be six months until I would attend
adoration again, God had placed something on my heart—a desire to know Him more
fully in the most Blessed Sacrament.
Today, I am a much different person than I was the first time I sat in
adoration. I no longer dread the form of prayer, but desire it. I try to go to
adoration several times a month. Sometimes, I am able to sit peacefully and
sometimes my heart is more restless. But every time, I am grateful for the
opportunity to sit and gaze upon the Lord.
5 Ways to be Successful in
Adoration
Have
you ever gone to adoration? Have you tried, but felt defeated like I first did,
and occasionally still do? Here’s a list of 5 ways to be successful in
adoration:
1. Be Patient
I
was recently talking with a group of friends about their experiences of
adoration. A lot of them expressed the same frustration—that sometimes, time
seems to stand still, 5 minutes seem eternal. Have you ever been out of shape
and tried to go for a one-mile run? Suddenly, 5 minutes into the run, you’re
huffing and puffing, and you realize you’ve only gone one block. Rather than
focusing on the success — you just ran for the first time in months!! — we tend
to focus on the defeat. Adoration can be a bit of a workout… for your soul. So,
set yourself up for success. If it’s been awhile, or your first time, 5 minutes
of sitting with Jesus is a good goal. Slowly increase your time—you’ll be
amazed at how God increases your capacity to be with Him!
2. Bring Scripture
Reading
scripture is always a good thing, but is especially helpful and meditative
during adoration. There are many prayer books and apps that contain daily
scripture readings. I particularly like reading the Psalms and reflecting on a
verse that speaks to me on that given day. As I read scripture, I ask myself:
How is this scripture speaking to my heart? What changes is God asking me to
take? How will I go about making those changes? I make this part of my prayer.
3. Pray the Rosary
The
rosary is a beautiful prayer, one that many saints have prayed. St. Louis de
Montfort said “’When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more
glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer.” What better way to give
Jesus and Mary glory than to pray the rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament?
There are many guides and apps you can print/download to help guide you through
this form of prayer.
4. Listen to Praise and Worship Music
When
I’m the only one in the Church or chapel, I love to start adoration by
listening to praise and worship music. “Restless” and “I Shall Not Want” by
Audrey Assad, “Lay it Down” and “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher, are just a
few of my favorite songs to listen to during adoration. The music and the
lyrics help me quiet myself and turn my thoughts to God.
5. Be Okay with Silence
It’s
so easy to go a whole day without silence. We get in the car and turn on the
radio, we have our phones, with days’ worth of music, in our pockets, and at
the end of the day there’s Netflix. Even if we are in a quiet environment, we
are usually accustomed to checking our phones—for a text, the latest Facebook
drama, the trending hashtag on Twitter, the newest picture on Instagram, the
list goes on.
Don’t
get me wrong, I fall prey to every one of those habits. Which is why, when I’m
sitting in adoration, I can find it difficult to focus. I’ve become so
accustomed to the business of the world, that being truly still, truly silent,
can seem uncomfortable, foreign. But that discomfort is ok, good even. In
Audrey Assad’s “Restless” she sings “And I’m restless, I’m restless, ‘til I
rest in You.” I find this sentiment to be so true when I am in adoration. Sure,
the first few minutes I am restless as I begin to wind down. But eventually, I
am filled with insurmountable peace. Allow yourself to sit in silence and to
just be with Jesus.
In
an apparition to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Jesus spoke these beautiful words:
“I have a burning thirst to be honored by men in the Blessed Sacrament.” Go to
adoration, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Jesus desires to be with you, to
have you gaze upon Him, as He so lovingly gazes upon you.
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]http://catholicnewsherald.com/faith/198-news/faith/faith-facts/2207-eucharistic-adoration
On
Day 24 Father Calloway states that the devil hates honest and diligent workers.
Work reminds the devil of the love God has for man by humbling himself in
taking human form and making himself capable of manual labor. Jesus learned how
to work as a man by imitating Joseph.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful,
Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience,
Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
St. Joseph is a common working man with an uncommon faith. He models for us, as he did for Jesus, the benefits of hard work to the person, family, and society.
·
Saint
Joseph is the model of workmen.
· Saint Joseph will teach you how to be a diligent worker.
Joseph worked hard because he knew that work is honorable and pleasing to God. However, Joseph also knew that rest is also honorable to God. One need not be a workaholic. There is a time and place for everything; there is a time for Spirit, loved ones, enjoyment, and rest. Joseph could see in the eyes of his young son that God never desires his workmen to burn out from sheer exhaustion and that the divine spirit desires us to delight in the natural world He created for us.
Saint Joseph the Worker[2]
To
foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to
the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII
instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the
long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic
faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work
has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By
work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the
earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the
carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of
human labor.
Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”
Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.”
Reflection
To
capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic liturgy, in 1870, Pope
Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church. In 1955, Pope
Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This silent saint, who was
given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now
cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human
work.
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-joseph-the-worker/
Day 25[1]
On Day 25 Father Calloway asserts that St. Joseph is interested in you and wants you to have a wonderful home life.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient,
Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful,
Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience,
Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray
for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic
Life, Pray for Us.
St. Joseph desires to increase God’s grace in you your family and home.
·
Saint
Joseph wants to bless your home.
· Saint Joseph loves domestic life.
Saint Joseph’s Workshop[2]
Scripture tells us St
Joseph was a craftsman. Some Fathers of the Church add that he was a carpenter.
When talking of the life of Jesus, St Justin says that he made ploughs and
yokes. Perhaps that’s why St Isidore of Seville concludes that St Joseph was a
blacksmith. In any event, he was a workman who supplied the needs of his fellow
citizens with a manual skill acquired through years of toil and sweat.
The Gospels give us a
picture of Joseph as a remarkably sound man who was in no way frightened or shy
of life. On the contrary, he faced up to problems, dealt with difficult
situations and showed responsibility and initiative in whatever he was asked to
do.
I don’t agree with the
traditional picture of St Joseph as an old man, even though it may have been
prompted by a desire to emphasize the perpetual virginity of Mary. I see him as
a strong young man, perhaps a few years older than our Lady, but in the prime
of his life and work.
You don’t have to wait to
be old or lifeless to practice the virtue of chastity. Purity comes from love;
and the strength and gaiety of youth are no obstacle for noble love. Joseph had
a young heart and a young body when he married Mary, when he learned of the
mystery of her divine motherhood, when he lived in her company, respecting the
integrity God wished to give the world as one more sign that he had come to
share the life of his creatures. Anyone who cannot understand a love like that
knows very little of true love and is a complete stranger to the Christian
meaning of chastity.
Joseph was, we have said,
a craftsman from Galilee, just one man among many. What had life to offer to
someone from a forgotten village like Nazareth? Nothing but work: work every
day, with the same constant effort. And at the end of the day, a poor little
house in which to rest and regain energy for the next day.
But the name Joseph, in
Hebrew, means “God will add.” God adds unsuspected dimensions to the holy lives
of those who do his will. He adds the one important dimension which gives
meaning to everything, the divine dimension. To the humble and holy life of
Joseph he added — if I may put it this way — the lives of the Virgin Mary and
of Jesus, our Lord. God does not allow himself to be outdone in generosity.
Joseph could make his own the words of Mary, his wife: “He has looked
graciously upon the lowliness of his handmaid... because he who is mighty, he
whose name is holy, has wrought for me his wonders.”
St Joseph was an ordinary
sort of man on whom God relied to do great things. He did exactly what the Lord
wanted him to do, in each and every event that went to make up his life. That
is why Scripture praises Joseph as “a just man.” And in Hebrew a just man means
a good and faithful servant of God, someone who fulfils the divine will, or who
is honorable and charitable toward his neighbor. So a just man is someone who
loves God and proves his love by keeping God’s commandments and directing his
whole life toward the service of his brothers, his fellow men.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://opusdei.org/en-us/document/in-joseph-s-workshop/
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the
Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us
To Joseph virginity is a treasure.
·
Saint
Joseph will help you be a guardian of virginity and purity.
Saint Joseph, father and guardian of virgins, to whose faithful keeping Christ Jesus, innocence itself, and Mary, the virgin of virgins was entrusted, I pray and beseech you by that twofold and most precious charge, by Jesus and Mary, to save me from all uncleanness, to keep my mind untainted, my heart pure, and my body chaste; and to help me always to serve Jesus and Mary in perfect chastity. Amen.[2]
A Miraculous Staircase in New Mexico[3]
When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel.
Legend
says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel
made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and
final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox
looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed,
and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the
man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some
concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters'
prayers.
The
stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design
was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex
experts today.
The
staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. It is said
that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. Questions also
surround the number of stair risers relative to the height of the choir loft
and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's
construction.
Over the years many have flocked to the Loretto Chapel to see the
Miraculous Staircase. The staircase has been the subject of many articles, TV
specials, and movies including "Unsolved Mysteries" and the
full-length movie titled "The Staircase", starring William
Petersen and Barbara Hershey.
·
If the carpenter were St. Joseph; I contend that as a father, he
would have to have needed help to construct this staircase and as a dad would
he not have called on his son to help him?
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://opusdei.org/en-us/document/in-joseph-s-workshop/
Day 271]
On Day 27 Father Calloway shows that devotion to St. Joseph will help families from falling apart.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
The family was designed by God to be a school of love, something that is beautiful, delightful and life-giving. St. Joseph will help to protect your family which the devil and his cohorts desire to destroy.
·
Saint
Joseph loves the family!
· Saint Joseph wants to be the pillar of your family.
Joseph wants you to establish norms of:
·
Prayer
·
mutual
respect
·
purity
·
honesty
·
forgiveness
·
affection
· and most importantly the supremacy of God as the head of your family.
The TV’s current
representation of the modern family is a lie and deception. Joseph will show
you the means to be a true husband and father. The men represented by Satan are
self-serving and seek to avoid responsibility. Joseph will help you to perfect
your love through a spirit of sacrifice and faithfulness to your wife and
children. You are the vicar of your family and God has appointed you to lead
them to salvation.
TEN COMMANDMENTS OF A HUSBAND
& FATHER[2]
“Take courage and be a man.
Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following His ways and observing
His statutes, commands, ordinances and decrees, that you may succeed in
whatever you do.” – 1 Kings 2:2-3
1.
Develop an intimate, personal
relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to forgive you of your past, to talk to
you, to heal you and to guide you. Then, trust the Holy Spirit in all things.
Trust Him to provide everything you need, including financial help.
2.
Get your priorities in order: Jesus
first, your wife second, your children third, your work fourth, etc.
Develop a weekly schedule, blocking out quality time for the Lord, your wife,
each child and the family as a whole. A husband’s most important time
during any given day is the first five minutes when he gets home from work and
the love and attention, he shows his wife and children at that time.
Remember that your human fatherhood is rooted in the Divine Fatherhood of
Almighty God (cf. Ephesians 3:14-15; cf. Catechism of the Catholic
Church, 2214).
3.
Realize that you are the “vicar”
of the home. It is your primary responsibility to oversee the TV and its
influence, the internet and its influence, as well as the books and magazines
that enter into your home. You must stand firmly against all evil
influences, asking constantly for God’s strength and guidance to lead your
family in living a pure, holy and non-violent lifestyle. Esto vir!
(Be a man!). A father fosters moral virtue within his home first
and foremost by example. Get into the habit of blessing your children –
both alone and with your wife – before they go to sleep at night or before they
leave the house in the morning.
4.
Make sure you know what your children are
being taught at school regarding morals and values. All teachers teach “in your
place” as you and your wife are the primary educators of your children.
If objectionable subjects or materials are being taught in the classroom, you
must stand strong. The primary place for Christian morals and values to
be taught and practiced is within the family home – your home, which you
oversee. This is an awesome responsibility given both to you (as the
“head” of your household) and to your wife (as the “heart” of your household).
Realize that your headship is to be modeled after the headship of the wise
and prudent king who loves and rules over his kingdom and its inhabitants.
Your headship is not to be modeled after the headship of the master
who rules over his slaves. You do not exist as the head of your
family to have your needs met, but rather to have your family’s
needs met. Your headship is not about you being served, but
rather about you serving. Your headship is about sacrificial love
and service. As head of the family, you are called to great
responsibility. Many husbands and fathers want headship without the
responsibility it demands. Dare to discipline with love and
firmness. The wise and prudent king loves all of the subjects within his
kingdom and wishes to see them prosper in the fullness of beauty and
Truth. He desires to bring them all to the fullness of Truth and
prosperity. Jesus Christ Himself is the Head of His Church; He is the
King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Augustine calls the family the “domestic
church.” You are the “head” and “king” and “lord” of this domestic
church: “The place and task of the father in and for the family is of unique
and irreplaceable importance. In revealing and in reliving on earth the
very fatherhood of God (cf. Ephesians 3:14-15), a man is called upon to
ensure the harmonious and united development of all the members of the family”
(Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio [The Role of the Christian
Family in the Modern World], 25).
5.
Pray with your wife and regularly so. Try
to keep a simple, but sincere spiritual journal and share it with her, even if
your entries are just short, inspirational sentences. Trust the Lord to
guide, purify and sanctify your relationship with your wife. She is the
“heart” of the home. Reverence her as such. Love her with the same
love and affection Christ has for His Church. Remember that your sons
will grow up to relate to women much in the same way that they saw you relate
to your wife. Similarly, your daughters will learn from their father what
to expect from men in a relationship. Share with your wife her
burdens, her sorrows and her joys. Ask the Lord for the strength to love
her with the same love and purity with which He loves His Bride, the Church.
6.
Spend quality time with each child. Treat
each child in a unique and personal way. The power of a father’s
affirming love is tremendously overwhelming and something truly
wonderful. Children need it. They require it for their full and
proper development. Let each child share his or her ideas, feelings,
fears and problems with you. Do everything in your power to ensure that
your child can always approach you in any matter. Be sure to share
periodically with your wife your insights concerning each child. Discipline
with firmness and love (again, your model here is that of the wise and
prudent king who rules over the inhabitants of his kingdom with a firm, but
great love and not of the master who rules over his slaves).
7.
Consecrate your home to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus. Set up a “prayer corner” within the home in the room where the family
most gathers. In this room should be an “altar-table.” On this
table place a Bible, a good condensed version of the Lives of the Saints
and a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. On or around
this table also place images (statues, pictures or icons) of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The daily family Rosary is a
powerful prayer. If your children are still small, pray only a decade of
the Rosary and/or vary it daily with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. A
wonderful, fixed time for daily family prayer and spiritual reading (say, a
total of just 15 or 20 minutes) is immediately after supper each evening.
Included here could be the Readings from the Mass of the day; purchase a daily
Roman missal for this. Again, remember that you are the priest of the
home. As such, you are called to be a true leader. A child will
remember well into his adult life these early family practices of the Faith.
They will never be forgotten. A father must be the first Christian
witness to his wife and children. This is both a duty and a
responsibility. Also, be sure to foster the use of sacramentals among
your family members. Sacramentals are “sacred signs which bear a certain
resemblance to the Sacraments and by means of which spiritual effects are
signified and obtained through the prayers of the Church” (Catechism of the
Catholic Church, Glossary). Examples of sacramentals include
the Sign of the Cross, holy water, enrollment in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady
of Mt. Carmel, religious medals, blessings, pilgrimages, processions, the
Stations of the Cross, sacred art, rosaries and the veneration of relics.
While sacramentals do differ from the seven Sacraments, they are still very
important in the life of a Catholic Christian. Also, promote visits to the
Blessed Sacrament with your family members, for instance, when in town running
errands.
8.
Do not let sports or outside activities
become more important to you or to your children than Christ and family. Sports
have become a false god in America today – especially on Sundays – and we tend
to overemphasize them. Spend fun time at home. Do things together
as a family. This calls for creativity, imagination and frequent planning
in advance. Seek suggestions from your wife and older children in this
regard.
9.
Pray that each one of your children may
answer the call to the vocation that Almighty God has chosen for him or her
from all eternity. Never ask your children, “What do you want to be?”
Rather, ask each child, “What do you think God is calling you to be?”
Help them to discern their states-in-life, whether it be singlehood, the
married state or consecrated religious life. Have this
discussion often with your children, especially after they reach the age of 15.
10. Ensure
the frequenting of the Sacraments by your family members. The Sacrament
of Confession should be partaken of at least monthly and the Sacrament of the
Holy Eucharist should be partaken of at least weekly. You must make sure
that your family’s sense of sin is never dulled. Take your family to
Sunday Mass precisely as a family. Do not give your teenagers an option
here. If you do, you are not fulfilling your vocation as a father.
Foster among your family members a great love of the Holy Eucharist.
Tithe regularly and devotedly. Do everything in your power (as the wise
and prudent king of your home) to truly make Sunday the Lord’s Day
and a day of family togetherness; that is, a day of prayer, relaxation and
recreation. Again, this calls for creativity, imagination and frequent
planning in advance. Seek input from your wife and older children in this
regard. Remember, any good and wholesome recreation is really a
“re-creation” of both body and soul.
Silent Witness[3]
Joseph
knew as a father “examples are caught; not taught”. Your actions are a silent
witness. Who do you think modeled the “Our Father” for Jesus? Your attitudes
toward bearing fatiguing work, or wealth/poverty; or in the bearing of
injuries; or in standing up to injustice bear more of a witness that any spoken
words.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://fathersofmercy.com/ten-commandments-of-a-husband-and-father/
[3]https://www.lorettochapel.com/info/staircase
On Day 28 Father Calloway relays that St. Joseph was not only a comfort to his family; he was in fact a comfort to his neighbors for Jewish law required:
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
appears in the Bible for the first time in Leviticus 19:18. In Hebrew, “v’ahavta
l’re’akha kamokha“ (v’a-HAHV-tah l’RAY’ah-KHA Kah-MOE-kha). The verse
ends with, “Ani Adonai” (Ah-NEE Ah-doe-NYE, actually Ani יהוה). It is as
if God signs His signature to the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself, to
give it special emphasis. We
are to do to others as we would wish them to do to us.[2]
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.
Joseph still cares for his neighbor of which you are one.
· Saint Joseph will comfort you in difficult times.
Joseph wants you to know that neither he nor God will ever abandon you. From the Torah Joseph knew:
·
Exodus 15: 1-3
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song
to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and
chariot he has cast into the sea. My strength and my refuge is the LORD and he has become my savior. This is my
God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him. The LORD is a warrior; LORD
is his name!
·
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be
strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your
God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.
·
Joshua 1:9
I
command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the
LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.
·
Nehemiah 8:10
He
continued: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to
those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be
saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD is your strength!”
·
Habakkuk 3:19
GOD,
my Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet swift as those of deer and enables me
to tread upon the heights.
·
Psalm 9:10-11
LORD
is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who
know your name trust in you; you never forsake those who seek you, LORD.
·
Psalm 27:1-3
The
LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should, I fear? The LORD is my life’s
refuge; of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers come at me to devour my
flesh, these my enemies and foes themselves stumble and fall. Though an army
encamp against me, my heart does not fear; Though war be waged against me, even
then do I trust.
Pious Union of St. Joseph[3]
Joseph was a person of hope. He trusted in God, even in
times of uncertainty and suffering, and he has been consoled by the presence of
Jesus, the Son of God and his foster son, and Mary, his wife, and Mother of Our
Lord. He shared his life, feelings, his whole being with them; they were the
source of his strength, faith and courage. Jesus and Mary were with St. Joseph
at the hour of his death.
Saint Louis Guanella, priest (1842 – 1915), was deeply
devoted to St. Joseph and expressed an unconditional trust in his intercession.
Under the protection of Pope St. Pius X, who sponsored his
project, Fr. Guanella began in 1909 to build a church in Rome, named for St.
Joseph and dedicated on March 19, 1912. Today it is a Minor Basilica.
When the construction was complete, he confided to St. Pius
X his desire to establish an association of devotees to St. Joseph, who pray
each day for his intercession for the benefit of the suffering and dying. “Your
idea has been inspired by God,” said the Pope. “We ourselves wanted to suggest
it to you. We will be the first to be enrolled in this great Crusade of
prayer.”
Canonically recognized on February 12, 1914, the Pious
Union of St. Joseph for the Salvation of the Dying was declared a “Primary
Confraternity” by Pope St. Pius X. wrote: “We desire to make known how much we
appreciate this most praiseworthy Association and we wish our name to be the
first inscribed among the members of the same, exhorting all our dear Brothers
in the priesthood not to forget the dying each day in the Divine Sacrifice. We,
likewise, exhort all the faithful, and especially Religious, to accustom
themselves to raise up special prayers to God and to St. Joseph in favor of the
dying”
Fr. Guanella felt deeply, “there is a need to live well,
but there is even a greater need to die well. A peaceful death is everything,
especially today when people value only material things and earthly enjoyments,
rejecting eternal values.”
Members of the Pious Union of St Joseph honor St. Joseph on
his Feast Day, March 19th, and every Wednesday. We rely on his
intercession to aid us all as we pass from this world. We pray to him
every day asking for his intercession for the dying while sacrificing and
offering our good works for their benefit.
Membership is without charge. A free-will offering when
enrolling and an annual stipend accomplishes many good works but is not a
requirement of membership. The sole commitment of membership is to pray every
day to St. Joseph for the benefit of the suffering and dying, trusting in his
intercession while praying the short and powerful prayer of the Pious Union.
If you wish to become a member of
the Pious Union of St. Joseph, first search your heart before making a promise
to pray each day to St Joseph for all those who will die that day.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://www.jewishjewels.org/blog/love-god-love-your-neighbor/
[3] http://www.piousunionofstjoseph.org/
Day 291]
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.
Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us.
Joseph is the hope
of the dying and the health of the sick.
Votive Masses[3]
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most powerful of all
prayers. A votive Mass is a Mass celebrated for a special purpose or occasion.
·
Votive Masses are always optional; they are
never obligatory.
·
The Missale Romanum (1962)
contains many votive Masses.
·
According to the Missale Romanum (1962),
the most fitting choices for particular days of the week are as follows:
|
Monday |
Mass of the Most Holy Trinity |
|
Tuesday |
Mass of the Holy Angels |
|
Wednesday |
Mass of St. Joseph, or Mass of Saints
Peter and Paul, or Mass of All Holy Apostles |
|
Thursday |
Mass of the Holy Spirit, or Mass of the
Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, or Mass of Our Lord
Jesus Christ, Supreme and Eternal Priest |
|
Friday |
Mass of the Holy Cross, or Mass of the
Passion of the Lord, or Mass of the Most Sacred Heart of
Jesus |
Proper’s for Certain Votive Masses:
·
Votive
Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
·
Votive Mass for the Deliverance from Death in Time of
Pestilence (Against Coronavirus COVID 19 Plague)
·
Votive Mass for the Forgiveness of Sins
·
Votive Mass for the Unity of the Church
·
Votive
Mass of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Adeamus cum fiducia) (in
any season)
·
Votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Adeamus cum fiducia) (in Eastertide only)
·
Votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Adeamus cum fiducia) (after Pentecost)
·
Votive Mass of the Most Holy Trinity (Mondays)
·
Votive Mass of the Holy Angels (Tuesdays)
·
Votive Mass of Saint Joseph (Wednesdays)
·
Votive Mass of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme and Eternal
Priest (Thursdays)
·
Votive Mass of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Fridays)
·
Votive Mass for the Anniversary of the Coronation (Solemn
Installation) of the Pope
·
Saturday of Our Lady (or Votive Mass) – Roráte cœli
desuper during Advent
·
Saturday of Our Lady – Vultum tuum after
Christmas and before February 2
·
Saturday of Our Lady – Salve, sancta Parens after
the Purification and before Holy Thursday
·
Saturday
of Our Lady – Salve, sancta Parens during Eastertide
·
Saturday
of Our Lady – Salve, sancta Parens after Trinity Sunday and
before Advent
·
Daily Mass for the Dead – For All the Faithful Departed
(omitting Rite of Absolution)
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
Total Consecration
to St. Joseph-Day 30[1]
On Day 30 Father Calloway states that Joseph is the Patron of the dying and that he wants us to have a holy and happy death.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head of
the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.
Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us.
Patron of the Dying, Pray for Us.
Joseph is our patron to a happy life and a happy end of life.
· Saint Joseph is your personal patron.
In many monasteries there are signs that read “Memento Mori” (Remember you will die). These signs are not to frighten men but to encourage them of the need to be prepared for death. Call on St. Joseph at your death for this is as every priest knows when the devil makes an all-out effort to get you to turn away from God via despair; call on Joseph. With St. Joseph you do not have to be fearful of death. Remain in a state of sanctifying grace. Go to Confession and Holy Communion and give everything to Jesus’ Dad.
Patron of a Happy Death[2]
We are all going to die. Joseph died. Lazarus died not once
but twice. Therefore, we should prepare.
There are three reasons why St. Joseph is the special patron of
the dying:
1.
He is the foster father of the Eternal Judge, Who can refuse him
no request.
2.
He is terrible to the demons; the Church calls him
the Terror of demons and Conqueror of Hell.
3.
His own death was most
beautiful, for he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary; this is the principal
reason why he is the patron of a happy death; the death no other Saint was so
happy, so glorious.
St. Francis de Sales was of the opinion that St. Joseph died of
the love of God; St. Alphonsus Liguori considered this most reasonable.[3]
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[3]http://www.catholictradition.org/Joseph/joseph7.htm#REASONS
Total Consecration
to St. Joseph-Day 31[1]
On Day 31 Father Calloway states that Joseph has your back in the war against the powers of darkness.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.
Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us.
Patron of the Dying, Pray for Us.
Terror of Demons, Pray for Us.
Demons fear Jesus and Demons fear Mary. Joseph his whole life protected Jesus and Mary from demons both human and spiritual; He will do the same for you. Joseph is the man; the only man empowered by God to protect the innocence of Christ and His mother.
·
Saint
Joseph is a dragon slayer!
· Saint Joseph will protect you against Satan and his demons.
Joseph’s primary weapons were his purity and his fearlessness. The demons even feared Joseph when he slept. Joseph was ready. His was the honor to protect, defend and fight for Jesus and Mary. Joseph was quiet but deadly in the face of evil. Through consecration to St. Joseph you are being called to the same mission as St. Joseph. You are called to protect Jesus and his bride the church and Mary Joseph’s Virgin Wife. To do this you must use the spiritual weapons of Joseph: purity and fearlessness. Strive to be chase in mind and body, pray the rosary, frequent the sacraments and the demons may fear you when you sleep. If men resemble St. Joseph, the kingdom of Satan will be destroyed. The purity of St. Joseph is a weapon against the filth and perversions of the devil. Satan is a filthy, perverse, and pornographic spirit. Purity repulses him. It pierces him.
Terror of Demons[2]
What is terror? Terror can be defined as the "opposite
of hope," a condition that stems from lack of trust that God loves you and
wills what's best for you.
In her Diary, St. Faustina writes of terror - the terror of dying souls
as well as her own brief moments of terror. In one instance, Jesus asks her to
help Him to save souls by praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for dying
sinners. She records, "I found myself in a strange cottage where an
elderly man was dying amidst great torments. All about the bed was a multitude
of demons and the family, who were crying. When I began to pray, the spirits of
darkness fled, with hissing and threats directed at me. The soul became calm
and, filled with trust, rested in the Lord" (1798).
The demons knew they didn't stand a chance against St. Faustina and the
Chaplet.
Yet St. Faustina, too, experienced moments of terror. Jesus rebukes her for
this at one point, saying:
I am displeased when a soul yields to vain terrors. Who
will dare to touch you when you are with Me? Most dear to Me is the soul that
strongly believes in My goodness and has complete trust in Me (453).
Saint Faustina would eventually learn to whom she can turn
in order to allay her fears and unite her to Jesus. It was none other than
Jesus' foster father, St. Joseph. The famous Litany of St. Joseph identifies
him under the title Terror of Demons, and it's no wonder. Surely, this man
entrusted by God with the singular mission of caring for and protecting the
Holy Family was endowed with graces enough to strike fear in the forces of
darkness. The demons don't stand a chance against St. Joseph. Saint Faustina
writes:
Saint Joseph urged me to have a constant devotion to him.
... He has promised me this special help and protection (1203).
When you find yourself feeling overcome by the trials of
life, turn to St. Joseph. He was a man who, in his earthly life, never
succumbed to "vain terrors." He remained ever grounded in faith, ever
attuned to the will of God in his life. From Heaven, he stands as a go-to saint
to help you when forces beyond your control - including demonic forces - seek
to unsettle you and pull you toward despair and ruin.
At the end of our lives, many people are susceptible to despair. Saint Joseph,
Terror of Demons, will squash such despair and all things that stand in
opposition to the hope found in the Risen Christ. From Heaven, this humble,
quiet man of strength will lead us to the peace found in Jesus.
Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, protect us.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/terror-demons-explanation
Total Consecration
to St. Joseph-Day 32[1]
On Day 32 Father Calloway states that the church needs protection of St. Joseph.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.
Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us.
Patron of the Dying, Pray for Us.
Terror of Demons, Pray for Us.
Protector of the Holy Church, Pray for Us.
The church has always needed the protection of St. Joseph. The church like each human is not perfect and like any organization the good exist with the not so good. Jesus mentions this in his parable of the Weeds and the wheat that grow together. If we stay close to our protector, St. Joseph will ensure we will be counted among the wheat and not among the weeds.
· Saint Joseph protects the Church.
Know that God will never abandon us, and that Joseph has been charged by Jesus to protect us and that he also will never abandon us.
Patron of the Universal Church[2]
This is
St. John Paul II’s address at the General Audience on March 19, 2003, at the
Solemnity of St. Joseph, in St. Peter's Square. The Pope reflected on the great
saint, Patron of the universal Church and Patron of workers. He reminded us
that St. Joseph is for us a model of life lived in faith. As protector of the
Holy Family, this "just man" (Mt 1,10), was a humble worker and a
faithful husband and father.
1. Today we are celebrating the Solemnity
of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary (Mt 1,24; Lk 1,27). Scripture points him
out to us as the "father" of Jesus (Lk 2,27.33.41.43.48),
prepared to carry out the divine plan, even when it eluded human understanding.
To him, "son of David" (Mt 1,20; Lk 1,27), God entrusted the
safekeeping of the Eternal Word, made man by the power of the Holy Spirit in
the womb of the Virgin Mary. St Joseph is described in the Gospel as a "just
man" (Mt 1,19), and for all believers he is a model of life in faith.
A just man
2. The word "just" evokes
his moral rectitude, his sincere attachment to the practice of the law and his
attitude of total openness to the will of the heavenly Father. Even in
difficult and sometimes tragic moments, the humble carpenter of Nazareth never
claimed for himself the right to dispute God's plan. He awaited the call
from on High and in silence respected the mystery, letting himself be
guided by the Lord. Once he received the mission, he fulfils it with docile
responsibility. He listens attentively to the angel, when he is asked to
take as his wife the Virgin of Nazareth (cf. Mt 1,18-25), in the flight into
Egypt (cf. Mt 2,13-15) and in the return to Israel (cf. ibid., 2,19-23).
In few, but significant strokes, the Evangelists describe him as the caring
guardian of Jesus, an attentive and faithful husband, who exercises his family
authority in a constant attitude of service. Nothing else is said about him in
the Sacred Scriptures, but this silence contains the special style of his
mission: a life lived in the greyness of everyday life, but with steadfast
faith in Providence.
Person, work, society
3. Everyday St Joseph had to provide
for the family's needs with hard manual work. Thus, the Church rightly
points to him as the patron of workers.
Today's solemnity is also a wonderful
occasion to reflect on the importance of work in the life of the human person,
the family and the community.
The human being is the subject and the
primary agent of work, and in the light of this truth, we can clearly perceive the
fundamental connection between the person, work and society. Human activity
— the Second Vatican Council recalls — proceeds from the human person and is
ordered to the person. According to God's design and will, it must serve the
true good of humanity and allow "man as an individual and as a member
of society to cultivate and carry out his integral vocation" (cf. Gaudium
et spes, n. 35).
In order to fulfil this mission, a "tested
spirituality of human work" must be cultivated that is firmly rooted
in the "Gospel of work" and believers are called to proclaim
and to witness to the Christian meaning of work in their many activities and
occupations (cf. Laborem exercens, n. 26).
Man, of peace
4. May St Joseph, such a great and
humble saint be an example that inspires Christian workers, who should
call on him in every circumstance. Today I wish to entrust to the provident
guardian of the Holy Family of Nazareth the young people who are training for
their future profession, the unemployed, and those who are suffering from the
hardship of the shortage of employment, families and the whole world of work,
with the expectations and challenges, the problems and prospects that
characterize it.
May St Joseph, the Patron of the
universal Church, watch over the entire ecclesial community and, as the man
of peace that he was, may he obtain for all humanity, especially for the
peoples threatened at this time by war, the precious gift of harmony and peace.
To the English-speaking pilgrims and
visitors
I extend a special welcome to the
English-speaking pilgrims here today, including the groups from England,
Denmark, Korea, Japan and the United States and, particularly, to the Choir of
St Cecilia Parish in Houston, Texas. May your visit to Rome be a time of
spiritual enrichment. Upon all of you, I invoke the grace and peace of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
To young people, the sick and
newly-weds
Finally, I greet the young people, the
sick, and the newly-weds.
Dear young people, who are here
in large numbers, and especially you students coming from many schools, pray to
St Joseph to help you follow day by day the Lord's desires for you. You, dear sick
people, pray to him to support you in suffering, accepted as a way to
cooperate with the salvation of the world. And you, dear newly-weds, at
the school of the chaste husband of the Virgin Mary, nourish your heart with
prayer and daily docility to the divine plan.
©L'Osservatore
Romano, Editorial and Management Offices, Via del Pellegrino, 00120,
Vatican City, Europe, Telephone 39/6/698.99.390.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
[1]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
[2]https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/terror-demons-explanation
Total Consecration
to St. Joseph-Day 33[1]
On Day 33 Father Calloway states that St. Joseph is the guardian of the treasures of heaven.
Lord,
have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God,
the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God
the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God
the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy
Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy
Mary, pray for us.
Saint
Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble
offspring of David, Pray for Us.
Light
of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.
Spouse
of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.
Chaste
Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.
Foster
Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.
Zealous
Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.
Head
of the Holy family, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Just, Pray for Us.
Joseph
Most Chaste, Pray for Us
Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.
Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.
Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.
Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.
Model of Workmen, Pray for Us.
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.
Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.
Pillar of Families, Pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.
Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us.
Patron of the Dying, Pray for Us.
Terror of Demons, Pray for Us.
Protector of the Holy Church, Pray for
Us.
He
Made Him the Lord of His Household, and Prince Over All His Possessions.
Jesus will spare no effort to enrich and honor Joseph. We must, then be devoted to him. We must honor and consecrate ourselves to him.
· Saint Joseph is your increaser.
Consecration Day[2]
By completing this 33 days with St. Joseph you are changed,
and you are the recipient of a tremendous blessing. St Joseph is in your corner
and he will help to increase your holiness. He will help you to worship with
your entire heart, mind, soul and strength. Love, trust, and honor Joseph, he
will guard you and help strengthen you. He will never be far from you and he
will help you be fearless in living and passing on to others the “Good News” of
his son.
Memorare to St. Joseph
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the
Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and
sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power
I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my
humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
Act of Consecration to St. Joseph
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate
myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father,
my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater
purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I
do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart
of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me,
that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
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