The Year of Saint Joseph
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St. Joseph was the father, protector and provider of the Holy Family with Jesus and Mary. Jesus lives in the hearts of all believers. St. Joseph continues to be the spiritual father, protector and provider for the Church, the mystical Body of Christ, and for every Christian who has Jesus living within them.
Devotion to St Joseph is to imitate the relationship Jesus had with St Joseph. Jesus had a daily personal relationship with Joseph. Joseph held Jesus in his arms. Because of this intimacy between Joseph and Jesus, Joseph has a powerful role of intercession with Jesus on our behalf. Live like Jesus did. Live a deep friendship with Joseph, moment to moment, day after day, entrusting or consecrating all your needs to him. Joseph is your spiritual father – develop a personal relationship with him – go confidently to him with all your needs – and experience his miraculous care.
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In 2007, Cardinal Burke wrote a letter to all the bishops of America stating the apparitions of Our Lady of America were canonically approved. On March 30, 1958, during an apparition of Our Lady of America St Joseph appeared and said:
“I am the protector of the Church and the home, as I was the protector of Christ and His Mother while I lived upon earth. Jesus and Mary desire that my pure heart, so long hidden and unknown, be now honored in a special way. Let my children honor my most pure heart in a special manner on the First Wednesday of the month by reciting the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary in memory of my life with Jesus and Mary and the love I bore for them, the sorrow I suffered with them. Let them receive Holy Communion in union with the love which I received the Savior for the first time and each time I held Him in my arms.”
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Teresa of Avila and her challenge
Early in her life, Teresa of Avila was paralyzed and after years of immense suffering she turned to St Joseph who obtained her miraculous healing.
I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph and earnestly recommended myself to him. I saw clearly that as in this need so in other greater ones concerning honor and loss of soul this father and lord of mine came to my rescue in better ways than I knew how to ask for. I don't recall up to this day ever having petitioned him for anything that he failed to grant. It is an amazing thing the great many favors God has granted me through the mediation of this blessed saint, the dangers I was freed from both of body and soul. For with other saints, it seems the Lord has given them grace to be of help in one need, whereas with this glorious saint I have experience that he helps in all our needs and that the Lord wants to us understand that just as He was subject to St. Joseph on earth -- for since bearing the title of father, being the Lord's tutor, Joseph could give the Child command -- so in heaven God does whatever he commands.
Anyone who cannot find a master to teach him prayer should take this glorious saint for his master, and he will not go astray.
I have not known anyone truly devoted to him and rendering him special services who has not advanced more in virtue. For in a powerful way he benefits souls who recommend themselves to him…If the request is somewhat out of line, he rectifies it for my greater good.
Teresa gives us this challenge:
I only ask for the love of God anyone who does not believe me to try, and he will see through experience the great good that comes from recommending oneself to this glorious patriarch and being devoted to him.
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Pope Benedict XV dedicated every Wednesday to St. Joseph. We should too by praying the Litany of St Joseph every Wednesday to be a reminder of the virtues we are supposed to live and an examination of how we are doing and what we need to work on. Let’s reflect on the Litany of St Joseph
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned 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.
Diligent protector 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 strong, 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 artisans, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, 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 Holy Church, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
My personal favorite title of Joseph – Terror of Demons!
Every Wednesday use the virtues of St Joseph as a reminder an examination of how we are to live.
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Prayer of Pope Francis to entrust everything to Joseph
It is easy for us to become overwhelmed with our responsibilities, the difficulties or even the opportunities that arise. Imagine being responsible for the Redeemer of the Universe and the Mother of God. That was the responsibility of St Joseph while they were on earth.
Think of the ordeal Joseph went through – he saw that Mary was pregnant; he knew it wasn’t his child and he did not know what to do. He was totally stupefied.
We know how the story worked out. Joseph had to live it in real time with the eyes of faith.
How often do we feel the stress and weight of just not knowing what to do. Joseph understands he is there for us. Let’s conclude by consecrating ourselves to Joseph with the prayer given us by Pope Francis
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.”