Day 27

Pillar of Families, Pray for Us

“Those who are devoted to prayer should, in a special manner, cherish devotion to St Joseph. I know not how anyone can ponder on the sufferings, trials and tribulations the Queen of Angels endured whilst caring for Jesus in his childhood, without at the same time thanking St Joseph for the services he rendered the Divine Child and his Blessed Mother.”

-St Teresa of Avila

Jesus, Mary and Joseph love families. Their three hearts are very concerned about what is happening to families today. Families are falling apart. Modern man has distanced himself from God and attempted to redefine what it means to be a family. As a result, divorce rates are at an all-time high; the majority of married couples use contraception; abortion is legal; and it is increasingly becoming a socially acceptable norm for children to be raised by two dads and/or two moms. This notion of a "modern family is a deception from the devil. The redefinition of marriage and the family causes the breakdown of society, culture, morals, and true family values.

God established the family to be a school of love, something beautiful, delightful, and life-giving, and the devil and his agents want to destroy it. How are we ever going to turn the situation around? The only way is to elevate the Holy Family as the model and blueprint of the family. When the Holy Family is celebrated in society, we will again know the sanctity of motherhood, the heroism of fatherhood, and the blessing of children.

Just as a pillar is a foundation for a building, for our home to stand on a firm foundation and be unshakable, our family needs St Joseph. He will teach us the importance of prayer, mutual respect, purity, honesty, forgiveness, love, and, most importantly, placing God above all things.

And from the person of St Joseph, men can learn what it means to be a husband and a father. And to realise that it is honourable for men to sacrifice themselves for others. For manhood and fatherhood are perfected through love, sacrifice and faithfulness to those entrusted to their care.

Prayer

O Head of the Holy Family and Glory of Domestic Life! We come to you for protection against the forces of evil which attack families by creating tensions and divisions, with grave consequences, particularly for children. The sanctity of family relations is being disrupted. Help us to overcome the lack of love, anger, and indifference which exists in our family relations with prayer, self-sacrifice and care. We thank Jesus that in imitating your virtues, God will abundantly bless our families. 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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Znhkw 27

IpSpw_§fpsS B[mcta, R§Ä¡pthïn {]mÀ°n¡Wta

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(Bhnembnse hn. A½t{Xky)

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{]mÀ°\

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temI¯nsâ ]m]§Ä \o¡p¶ ZnhyIpªmtS IÀ¯mth R§fpsS ]m]§Ä £an¡Wta.

temI¯nsâ ]m]§Ä \o¡p¶ ZnhyIpªmtS IÀ¯mth R§fpsS {]mÀ°\ tIÄ¡Wta.

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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