Day 25
Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us
“Joseph loved Jesus as a father loves his son and showed his love by giving him the best he had.”- St Josemaría Escrivá
In the 16th century, St Teresa of Avila helped reform the female branch of the Carmelite Order. She had a tremendous devotion to St Joseph and named the majority of her reformed convents after him. To protect the convents (and the nuns in them), she buried medals of St Joseph around the convents as a sign that they belonged to God and St Joseph. In the 20 century, St André Bessette did something similar. Saint André wanted to erect a shrine dedicated to St Joseph in Montreal, Canada. He found the perfect location and placed medals of St Joseph around the property as a way of asking St Joseph to bless and obtain the property. Needless to say, he got it.
Saint Joseph is the saint of the hidden years of Jesus. This reality is incredible to ponder. Our Lord, however, lived with Mary and St Joseph for 30 years. The love, intimacy, and familiarity Jesus, Mary and St Joseph shared are amazing! Saint Joseph knew what Jesus' walk sounded like. He knew the sound of Jesus' sneeze, laughter, and voice raised in song.
He knew Jesus' mannerisms, morning routine, posture, smile, yawn, and favourite food and drink. These are treasured memories that reside deep in the heart and mind of St Joseph.
For Jesus must have resembled Joseph: in his way of working, in the features of his character, in his way of speaking. Jesus' realism, his eye for detail, the way he sat at table and broke bread, and his preference for using everyday situations to give doctrine - all reflect his childhood and the influence of Joseph. Saint Joseph is the Glory of Domestic life. He loved, educated, nourished and protected his Son. He gave his entire life in loving service to Jesus and Mary.
In human life, Joseph was Jesus' master in their daily contact, full of refined affection, glad to deny himself to take better care of Jesus. Isn't that reason enough for us to consider this just man, this holy patriarch, in whom the faith of the old covenant bears fruit, as a master of the interior life? Interior life is nothing but a continual and direct conversation with Christ, so as to become one with him. And Joseph can tell us many things about Jesus. Therefore, never neglect devotion to him: "Go to Joseph" as Christian tradition puts it in the words of the Old Testament.
Prayer
Our dearest father, who knows the Holy Family better than you. We come to your patronage San humbly ourselves. Teach us, we pray, to grow in the interior life. Whatever we may be doing, wherever we go, teach us to listen to him, to obey him, to talk to him, and to grow in the awareness of his presence. 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
hnip² butk¸nXmhnt\mSpÅ {]XnjvT
Znhkw 25
IpSpw_PohnX¯nsâ alXzta, R§Ä¡pthïn {]mÀ°n¡Wta
“Hcp ]nXmhv Xsâ ]p{Xs\ kvt\ln¡p¶Xpt]mse hn. butk¸nXmhv Cutimsb kvt\ln¨p. X\n¡pÅXnÂh¨v Gähpw \ÃXv Ah\v sImSp¡pIhgnbmbn Ah³ Xsâ kvt\lw {]ZÀin¸n¨p.”
(hn. tPmkv acnb Fkv{Inh)
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temI¯nsâ ]m]§Ä \o¡p¶ ZnhyIpªmtS IÀ¯mth R§sf A\p{Kln¡Wta.
{]mÀ°n¡mw
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{]mÀ°n¡mw
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IS¸mSv: hnip² butk¸nXmhnt\mSpÅ {]XnjvT: \½psS Bßob]nXmhnsâ hnkvab§Ä, ^m. sUmWmÄUv F¨v. Imsemth
MIC
