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| Prayers to St. Joseph for These Times |
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| Written by Apostolate of St. Joseph of the Eternal Family | |||
| Saturday, 07 March 2009 00:00 | |||
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"Go to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you" (1) (Gen 41:55) The original Biblical phrase is applied to the Old Testament figure of the Patriarch Joseph; however, we can apply it to St. Joseph, as did St. Teresa of Avila.
St. Joseph and the Family St. Joseph is described by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter," Guardian of the Redeemer," as "the Guardian of the Church for these times," thus augmenting the role of St. Joseph as Patron of Families (2). Today, the family worldwide is under continuous and mounting attack, often resulting in the disintegration of marriage and family life. Christian values are eroded and not passed on to younger generations, leading to the loss of special graces God bestows on families in the sacraments. The aim of the Apostolate of St. Joseph is to restore holiness within the family through the invocation and patronage of St. Joseph and St. Monica (the patient, prayerful mother of St. Augustine) (3). We implore them to intercede for us at the throne of God (Rev 5:8; 8:3-4) particularly for family members who have strayed from Him. It is perfectly true that we should pray directly to Jesus for our needs. However, the New Testament and the tradition of the Church have shown us clearly that we may also ask for the intercession of the saints who are part of the eternal family in heaven (cf. Jas 5:16; 1 Tim 2:5; Rev 5:8; 8:3-4). St. Basil says in his liturgy of 373, "By the command of your only-begotten Son we communicate with the memory of your saints ... by whose prayers and supplications have mercy upon us all, and deliver us for the sake of your Holy Name" (4). We invoke St. Joseph, traditionally honored as the Patron Saint of Families. As Protector of the Church, he will care for us as he did Jesus and Mary in his earthly life (Mt 1:19; 2:13-15). The phrase "Go to Joseph." from Genesis (41:55) refers to the Patriarch Joseph, son of Jacob. St. Teresa of Avila regarded him as a forerunner of St. Joseph, in that he cared for and protected his family and we can see him in the same way (5). Pope John Paul II wrote, "The patronage of St. Joseph must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church … for her renewed commitment to evangelize in the world and to re-evangelize the lands where religion and the Christian life were formerly flourishing and now put hard to the test" (6). The mission of the Christian is to respond to Jesus’ call to spread his Word throughout the world. The Apostolate aims to do this beginning with our families.
Introductory Prayer Come, O Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved spouse. (Three times) Fatima Prayers In reparation for our loved ones who have strayed from the faith and for the sins committed against God in the Blessed Sacrament (1 Cor 11:29-30). My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you! I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you. O most Holy Trinity, I adore you! My God, I love you in the Blessed Sacrament. Short Litany to St. Joseph for Members of the Family Leader: Beloved St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Families and of the Sick and Dying, Protector of the Church and Terror of Demons, we implore you to intercede at the throne of God for the conversion of our families and friends who have strayed from the practice of the faith. The suffering people of Egypt were told: "Go to Joseph" (Gen 41:55). All: We, the troubled people of today go to you St. Joseph for consolation and for the conversion and protection of our loved ones. As St. Paul says, "become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too" (Acts 16:31). We entrust to your care especially ... prayer for particular people.
We pray for our spouses; St. Joseph, intercede for our loved ones.
Leader: O glorious St. Joseph, God has made you a faithful servant of His household.
All: Dear St. Joseph let us all adore and worship God our Creator, the Sweet Spirit of God and the Lord Jesus who was once a child in your arms! May your faithful, just and obedient heart so united to the hearts of Jesus and Mary be our example! Amen.
The Seven Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph
1. The Doubt of St. Joseph and the Angel’s Message "Her husband Joseph, being a man of honor and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit’" (Mt 1:19-20). 2. The Poverty of Jesus’ Birth and the Birth of the Savior "And she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn" (Lk 2:7). 3. The Circumcision and the Holy Name of Jesus "When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised" (Lk 2:21), "he named him Jesus" (Mt 1:25). 4. The Prophecy of Simeon and the Effects of the Redemption "Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected7" (Lk 2:34). 5. The Flight into Egypt and the Overthrow of the Idols in Egypt "So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt" (Mt 2:14). "That day, there will be an altar to Yahweh in the centre of the land of Egypt and, close to the frontier, a pillar to Yahweh" (Is 19:19). 6. The Return from Egypt and Life with Jesus and Mary in Nazareth "But when he learnt that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as ruler of Judea, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the region of Galilee" (Mt 2:22). "When they had done everything that the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And as the child grew to maturity he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favor was with him" (Lk 2:39-40). 7. The Loss of the Child Jesus and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple "When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. Three days later, they found him in the Temple sitting among the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies" (Lk 2:45-47) (7). Leader: St. John shows us that the people asked, "Surely this is Jesus son of Joseph ... we know his father and mother" (Jn 6:42). O Blessed St. Joseph, who labored unselfishly through love to nurture the Son of God and Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We humbly implore: Let us pray Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may our family life be a reflection of your household at Nazareth. Help me to be able to say ‘I love you1 to each member of my family. Let Jesus’ pure love be in all my actions (2 Jn 6; 1 Cor 1:4; 1 Jn 3:18). May I never go to sleep harboring anger or unforgiveness towards them! Help me to see in all of them the presence of Jesus, especially when there is pain, division and lack of peace (1 Cor 8:11-12; Lk 7:47; Mt 18:22). O Family of Jesus, with the guardian angels, watch over my family. Protect us from all evil influences and harm. Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, so adored by the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the most chaste heart of St. Joseph, reign always in my heart and in the hearts of my loved ones. Amen {mospagebreak}
Seven-part Litany Honoring St. Joseph for all Families Part I Lord, have mercy on us and on our families. Christ, have mercy on us and on our families. Part II St. Joseph, reflection of God our Eternal Father; Pray for us and our families.
Part III St. Joseph, most powerful saint and intercessor and most blessed of all the Patriarchs; Help us and our loved ones.
Part IV St. Joseph, Patron of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; (8) Intercede for the restoration of sacramental family life.
Part V St. Joseph, who appeared at Knock, in silent adoration of the Eucharistic Lamb of God, with Our Lady and St. John the Evangelist; We welcome you.
Part VI God our Creator, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Most Holy Spirit of God; We adore, worship and love you.
Part VII Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world; Spare us and our families O Lord. Leader: We praise you O God, our Eternal Father, Creator, Witness and Judge of us all. We ask you to restore Christian marriages and sacramental family life according to your Holy Law. We beg you, in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, to bring an end to the spiritual attacks on your people. Help us withstand all the lies and influences of the devil that damage family life and Christian faith (Jn 8:45), (1 Pet 5:8). We know, Abba, Father, that for you everything is possible (Mk 14:36).
All: We bow our knees before you Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named (Eph 3:14-15). Send your Holy Spirit into the hearts and homes of all your children (Acts 2:38-40), so that we, the renewed Domestic Church, through your Son, may worship you in spirit and truth and live in your holy will (Jn 4:23). We give you ourselves and our loved ones dear Lord, in total trust, for we are children of yours, the Living God (Hos 2:1).
Leader: Loving Father, All Holy (Lev 21:8), give us the grace to be like the children at Fatima, offering our sufferings and prayers for the sins that offend you, dear Father, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May we and our families have a deeper reverence for the Holy Mass and a greater commitment to the rosary within family prayer! Thank you, Abba, Father, for calling us and our dear ones back to your loving Paternal Heart through repentance (Rom 2:4).
All: Eternal Father, show us your mercy, through the passion and death of the Eucharistic Lamb, your Son Jesus our Savior (1 Pet 1:18-19), (Heb 9:22) who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, in everlasting glory. Leader: Blessed be God’s words to the prophet Hosea: "I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely" (Hos 14:5). All: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1:8).
Let us pray Beloved St. Joseph, we thank you for the gift of the Apostolate. We welcome you into our daily lives. We consecrate ourselves and our families to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and your most chaste heart, St. Joseph. We ask for the grace, St. Joseph, to be your true apostles, like your faithful apostle Blessed Brother Andre of Montreal. May we, through the Apostolate, spread the good news of the Gospel for the conversion of souls and for the glory of God our Eternal Father! Remember especially those who have asked for our prayers and for the Apostolate throughout the world. Amen.
The Rosary may be recited (see also prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph below).
Salve Regina Salve Regina, Mater misericordiae, vita dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Salve Regina (English) Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, O most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel Angel of God, my Guardian dear. To whom God’s love commits me here. Ever this night, be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Closing Prayers Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Under the protection of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and armed with the Holy Cross, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph (May be recited after the rosary) To you, O Blessed Joseph, we come in our trials, and having asked the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently ask your patronage also. Through the Sacred bond of charity which united you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the fatherly love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to look graciously upon the beloved inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and to aid us in our necessities with your power and strength. O most provident guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ. Most beloved father, dispel the evil of falsehood and sin. Our most mighty protector, graciously assist us from heaven in our struggle with the powers of darkness. And just as you once saved the Child Jesus from mortal danger, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Shield each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your help, we may be able to live a virtuous life, to die a holy death, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen (9) {mospagebreak}
St. Joseph, the Eucharist and the Fatherhood of God St. Paul tells the jailer, "Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too" (Acts 16:31). This instills in us the importance of God-believing men as head of the family. As we find this Roman family believed, were baptized and shared a meal. This meal is "a meal shared in jubilant gladness, the sign of salvation received and recreates in the jailer’s home the atmosphere of the first church" (10). In the letter to the Galatians, St. Paul calls the Church the ‘household of faith’ (Gal 6:10) (11). Pope John Paul II reminds us that the Holy Family of Nazareth is the original Church in miniature, and the example for all domestic church families, i.e. the Christian family. Pope John Paul, wrote, "In the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the Holy Mass, the Church venerates Mary the ever Virgin Mother of God and St. Joseph, because they fed the One who the faithful must eat as the Bread of Life" (12). Central to the Apostolate is reverence to the Holy Eucharist and devotion to our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. During Mass at the Apostolate in London, the faithful are encouraged to make an act of reparation, e.g. bowing, genuflecting or kneeling before receiving the Sacred Host, for the sins that are being committed against the Holy Eucharist (See 1 Cor. 11:29-30). Many people today have been deeply hurt by the breakdown of family life, which extends to the scandals, which should have never happened, involving a small minority of clergy. For some, this has distorted their image of God and His gift of fatherhood. All we can do is try to understand the depth of their brokenness and help to heal their wounds, leading them back to Jesus who is really present in the living Eucharist. God loves them, wants to heal them and suffers with them. As St. Joseph protected the Christ Child during King Herod’s killing of the innocents (Mt 2:13-18), so we must implore him with greater fervor in these times, to protect our children from emotional pain, all forms of abuse and also loss of true faith. St. Joseph appeared at Fatima in 1917, holding the Christ Child in his arms, blessing the world, in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Christ Child also blesses the world, following his example, to emphasize the importance of fatherhood, within the Priesthood and the natural family (1 Jn 2:13-14; Judg 17:10; 1 Cor 4:15), as this reflects God’s own gift of Fatherhood. We all originate from the Fatherhood of God. Pope John Paul II wrote, "Let us pray for families throughout the world. Let us pray, through Christ, with Him and in Him, to the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named (Eph 3.15) (13). Was this apparition at Fatima with St. Joseph, holding the Christ Child, to prepare the world for these times with Our Blessed Mother? We the Church are all being humbled and purified in the womb of her sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, to become a new creation in Christ her Son (2 Cor 5:17-19). At Calvary at the foot of the cross, Mary received her mission of motherhood, accepting us, Christ’s mystical body, the church on earth, as her children (Jn 19:27). Just as St. Joseph lovingly fostered the Christ Child, so does he lovingly foster all of us Our Lady’s children (Rev 12:17), presenting them with her to God our Eternal Father, (Rev 5:8, 8:3-4), at the feast that God has prepared for all His children (Lk 15:11-24). Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph’s hearts are restless until they find all her children in God’s heavenly temple, with the heavenly court worshipping the Lamb of God, Our Savior for all eternity (Rev 5:1-4). Reminding us of the immense important message for the world today from the apparition at Knock in 1879, as Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist were seen in silent adoration of the Eucharistic Lamb of God. We must gently remind our loved ones and others who have become despondent about going to Mass, that at each Mass the Sacrifice of Christ as Lamb of God, is re-enacted and becomes truly present in the Bread and Wine (1 Cor 10:16). With His gifts of salvation, healing and forgiveness are renewed over and over again "until He comes in glory," (1 Cor 11:26). Christ has said, "Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my Hood has eternal life" (Jn 6:56). Mother Theresa asked families to become ‘Eucharistic Families’, (The Eucharist is the Sacrament of unity, within the family) (14). Some of the faithful may feel this is impossible within their own families. Nonetheless, we must not become discouraged as we have a most powerful heavenly intercessor in St. Joseph, (traditionally known also, as Patron of Households). St. Francis de Sales, assures us, "Our Blessed Lady and her glorious Son will refuse Joseph nothing" (15). St. Joseph will help us to lead our families back to God our Eternal Father and to the loving presence of His Son, in the Blessed Sacrament. We must not forget either, conversion needs to begin with ourselves by living out our faith in love, rooted in gentleness (Eph 3:14-17)! To bring back lost sheep, God our Heavenly Father needs not just intercessors, but Christians who are self-giving of themselves in their actions. St. Joseph, labored unselfishly through love to nurture the Son of God and cherish the Blessed Virgin Mary. We humbly pray that he may help us to follow his loving example, to live in peace and harmony with our dear ones. St. Teresa of Avila wrote, "I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him (St. Joseph), and honored him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselves to him" (16). Finally, we are reminded of God’s consoling words to the prophet Jeremiah, for those of us who are concerned for the faith of our loved ones. Our Heavenly Father has lovingly said, "I have loved you, O my people, with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness, I have drawn you to me" (Jer 31:3). Remember dear faithful, to Pray! Pray! Pray! "Let us pray for families throughout the world. The preceding was excerpted from Prayers to St. Joseph for These Times. To obtain copies of this booklet, write to: Centre of Peace (Kent) 40 The Old High Street, Folkestone, Kent, England, CT20 1RN
Notes (1) St. Teresa of Avila, (Ch.6)"The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila" (Saint Teresa of Avila Autobiography) Translator, Cohen John Michael Penguin Classic, Worldwide, 1988. (2) Pope John Paul II, (V.28,29) "Guardian of the Redeemer" Patron of the Church in our day, Liberia, Editrice, Vaticane, (1989). (3) The Augustinians, "Saint Monica, Wife, Mother, Widow" Augustinians Press, 17 Dorville Press, London, W6 OHH. (4) St. Basil, (P.3),"The Intercession of the Saints"Catholic Answers, California, (2004). (5) St. Teresa of Avila, (Ch.6)"The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila" (Saint Teresa of Avila Autobiography) Translator, Cohen John Michael Penguin Classic, Worldwide, 1988. (6) Pope John Paul II, (V.29)"Guardian of the Redeemer" "Patron of the Church in our day" Liberia, Editrice, Vaticane, (1989). (7) Tan,(P.16),"Favourite Prayers to St. Joseph" Tan Books and Publishers Inc, Illinois, (1997) (8) Dr Mark Mirivalle, (P. VI), "Saint Joseph Patron of the Triumph", Fr Foley Richard, Queenship Publishing Company, California, (2002). (9) Pope Leo XIII,(P. 77), "Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph","Not Your Average Joe" Rick Sarkisian, PH.D LifeWork Press, USA, 2004. (10) Brown Raymond, (Acts 16:31) Fitzmyer Joseph & Murphy Roland,"The New Jerome Biblical Commentary" Theological Publication in India, Bangalore, (1990). (11)Fr Foley Richard, (P. 94),"Saint Joseph Patron of the Triumph",Queenship Publishing Company, California, (2002). (12) Pope John Paul II, (V.16), "Guardian of the Redeemer" "The Guardian of the Mystery of God", Liberia, Editrice, Vaticane, (1989). (13) Pope John Paul II, (V.5), "Letters to Families" Liberia, Editrice, Vaticane, (1994), (14) Mother Theresa,Words quoted by Mother Angelica, "Mother Angelica Live" Televised Sept, 1997 Eternal Word Television Network, Irondale, Alabama. (15) St. Francis de Sales, (P.3),"Saint Joseph Patron of the Triumph" Fr Foley Richard, Queenship Publishing Company, California, (2002). (16) St. Teresa of Avila, (P.9),"Favourite Prayers to St. Joseph" Tan Books and Publishers Inc, Illinois, (1997).
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Consecrate Yourself to Mary
Using the Consecration Prayer
of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort
I, (Name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in your hands the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.
In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose you this day for my Mother and Queen. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.
