St. Joseph

This past Wednesday was the celebration of the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Each year I always look forward to this feast day. As often as I can remember this feast occurs during Lent. For many, their Lenten observances come to a small pause to celebrate this feast, as we also do liturgically in the recitation of the Gloria.

 

Meditation on the life of St Joseph as the teacher and guardian of Jesus, and the most chaste spouse and protector of Mary, I find very fitting during the Lenten season. St. Joseph’s service to Mary and Jesus is a model of service to us. Often during Lent we give up many things, which is important. The deprivation of the body through healthy fasting strengthens the soul’s ability to ascend in prayer. A life of prayer well lived naturally extends to others not only through our prayers for them, but in our service to them. St. Joseph is a beautiful model of service by the sweat of his brow and the love in his heart.  He provided for the temporal needs of Jesus and Mary while protecting them from Herod, the world, and by the grace of God, from the devil. This is also our call to our brothers and sisters through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

 

St. Joseph is also considered the patron saint, if you will, by the title of guardian and protector of virgins and terror of demons. As a young woman discerning religious life I often fly to his patronage to come to my aid in intercession.

 

 For those of you who know us personally or regularly visit this blog and read these meditations, know that annually we as a community and individually consecrate ourselves to Mary. From the writings and example of St. Louis de Montfort and St. Maximillian Kolbe we draw this devotion of dedication to Jesus through Mary. I have often heard it said that once Mary has you, to be in anticipation for wonderful things in your life of prayer and life day to day.

 

I think the same is true for St. Joseph. To me, to have a strong relationship with Jesus and Mary without a strong relationship with St. Joseph leaves us with something lacking. The blessings and ways we can grow from a deep understanding of the Holy Family could be a whole post on its own.  The concept of a relationship with Mary and her earthy spouse makes sense.  I like to think about it like this. If you have a coworker or good friend who is married, you know and understand them much better when you meet and get to know their spouse. To know Mary’s earthly spouse does the same for us in our relationship with her, and subsequently with our relationship with Jesus.

 

 So whether it’s to intercede for your father, for the selling of or buying of a home, for your family, for  wood working skills, for protection, for guidance in the pursuit of or heroic living of a religious vocation, let us enter into a strong relationship with St. Joseph.  He cares for us as he cares for Mary and our Lord.

   

Written by Nicolette


Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy.

 Christ, have mercy.

 Lord, have mercy.

 

Jesus, hear us.

 

 God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us

 God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,

 God, the Holy Spirit,

 Holy Trinity, One God,

 Holy Mary, pray for us (response for all following)

 St. Joseph,

 Renowned offspring of David,

 Light of Patriarchs,

 Spouse of the Mother of God,

 Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

 Foster father of the Son of God,

 Diligent protector of Christ,

 Head of the Holy Family,

 Joseph most just,

 Joseph most chaste,

 Joseph most prudent,

 Joseph most strong,

 Joseph most obedient,

 Joseph most faithful,

 Mirror of patience,

 Lover of poverty,

 Model of artisans,

 Glory of home life,

 Guardian of virgins,

 Pillar of families,

 Solace of the wretched,

 Hope of the sick,

 Patron of the dying,

 Terror of demons,

 Protector of Holy Church,

 

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.

 

He made him the lord of his household.

And prince over all his possessions.

 

Let us pray, ---  O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

 

Saint Joseph, pray for us.