Day 21
St Joseph Most Faithful,
Pray for Us
Venerable Fulton J Sheen spoke of three rings in marriage: the engagement ring, the wedding ring and the suffering. For a marriage to work, mutual love, sacrifice and faithfulness are necessary. A Christian's relationship with God is a spiritual marriage. It, too, requires mutual love, sacrifice and faithfulness. Those who are spiritually espoused to God need to be faithful in good times and in bad, in health and in sickness, in riches and in poverty. Saint Joseph was always faithful to his wife and to God.
Faith is one of the three theological virtues (faith, hope and charity). But what exactly is faith? The Letter to the Hebrews gives us a good definition. It states: "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb 11:1). Christian faith acknowledges who Jesus is, adheres to his teaching and trusts in his promises. Saint Joseph exercised an active, trusting and zealous faith. He never doubted the divinity of Jesus or his power to conquer evil. To the world, Jesus looked like an ordinary child, but to him knew Jesus was God. He adored our Lord in the cradle, in the home in Nazareth, in the Temple in Jerusalem, and as a grown man in his workshop. He was always aware that, in seeing Jesus, he was gazing upon God Almighty.
Mary, God's tabernacle, is replicated in every tabernacle in a Catholic church. What is often missing in front of these tabernacles, however, are souls who resemble St Joseph - souls who adore Jesus present and hidden in the tabernacle. To be like him, you, too, need to adore Christ. You can go to the nearest Catholic church where Jesus is present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist is Jesus Christ. The Blessed Sacrament is the source and summit of the Christian faith, and St Joseph wants to lead you to a deeper relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Prayer
O, Most Faithful St Joseph, you had lived your entire time with the Holy Family, in a state of perpetual adoration before Our Lord. We understand that it is the desire of Jesus to bring us to his Real Presence in the Eucharist. And he has appointed you to be our role model. Help us to imitate you in the undying zeal and burning love with which you presented yourself before the Child Jesus. By your heavenly intercession increase our faith in Jesus, so that we may be more faithful and sincere towards him, and learn to trust him in all matters. Amen.
Litany of St Joseph
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, 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.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. He has made him lord of his household,
R. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray. O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Source: Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father, Fr. Donald Calloway MIC
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MIC
