“WHEN JOSEPH AWOKE, HE DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD HAD COMMANDED HIM AND TOOK HIS WIFE INTO HIS HOME.” MT 1:16, 18-21, 24
Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary and Joseph.
In his book, The Mystery of St. Joseph, Marie-Dominique Philippe teaches that St. Joseph’s annunciation is today. When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, announcing the birth of our Lord, it is called the Annunciation. Today, an angel comes to Joseph in a dream to announce that the Holy Spirit put Jesus in Mary’s womb. The angel also announces that God wants Mary to be his wife, for them to be married. The “angel of the Lord” also announces to Joseph that he is to name the child Jesus “because he will save his people from their sins”.
The gospel says that Joseph is a “righteous man”. Joseph was chosen by God for a special mission. Mary has already consecrated herself totally to God, how can she also be a wife to St. Joseph? Only if Joseph supports her and consecrates himself to God, too. Joseph must keep silent in Mary’s secret with God, she is carrying the Savior of the world. He must be prudent, chosen by God, to protect Jesus and Mary from danger. Joseph is also called “the worker”. Joseph in his work supports his family financially.
He never speaks in the Bible. We learn that Joseph works and prays, his work is even prayer, offering it up to our Lord. He models for us how to “pray without ceasing”. Mary and Joseph never have relations consecrating themselves to God, we could use these great models of chastity and purity in our sex saturated world. Mary and Joseph, pray for us!
*I try to pray this prayer each morning as a father of children. I suggest mother’s pray it, too!
Prayer of Consecration to St. Joseph for one’s child(ren)
O Glorious St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, to your paternity the Everlasting Father committed the care of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. It was your singular privilege to hear the Eternal Word cry out to you “Abba”, Daddy.
It was your high calling to protect, nurture, provide for and deeply love Christ with a father’s heart.
With that same confidence and trust in your fatherly affection, I come to you this day and ask you to take under your special care the child(ren) that God has blessed me with.
As you guarded and cared for the Child Jesus, so too, as the universal patron of His Catholic Church, you protect and watch over His Mystical Body, which is made up of all baptized souls who are His members.
I consecrate ____________________ to your heart this day and trust in your constant care for them as your own spiritual child(ren). Guard and guide their every step in this life as they make their pilgrimage of faith. By your fervent prayer preserve the purity of their bodies, minds, hearts and souls. By your beautiful example help properly form their affections, appetites, desires and beliefs. Let no abuse, addiction, or demonic influence ensnare them. Defend them against all the dangers and corruption of this world. May they grow in grace and wisdom before God and man.
Dearest St. Joseph, hand in hand with our Blessed Mother Mary, lead us all to your divine son Jesus Christ and the eternal joy of Heaven. Amen.
Two must read books on St. Joseph:
1. “Brother Andre: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph” by Jean-Guy Dubuc
I have read this one. Brother Andre is now St. Andre Bessette canonized on Oct. 17th, 2010. He grew up very poor and had a digestive disorder so his favorite meal was flour and water. He wasn’t smart or athletic with a frail body, but he loved St. Joseph a devotion handed down to him by his mother.
His intellect kept him from being a priest and the Holy Cross brothers nearly did not accept him. He spent his whole life being obedient to his order by being a porter, welcoming people onto the grounds of Holy Cross. He healed thousands and millions came to him in Canada. He healed through the intercession of St. Joseph.
He always gave people St. Joseph medals and rubbed oil of St. Joseph on their bodies (specific to the founder of Holy Cross Brothers). He often prayed into the night to St. Joseph. He wanted to build a chapel in honor of St. Joseph and after he died the basilica of St. Joseph was completed. In it hundreds of crutches and canes are left behind of those St. Andre cured. He is the first male Canadian saint. This is a must read!
2. The Mystery of St. Joseph by Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OD
This one is very deep if you want a theological challenge!
Today’s challenge: Be silent, be righteous (virtuous; faith and trust in God and his promises), work and pray without ceasing. May we ask for the graces to have an unfailing devotion to Mary and Joseph. It only makes sense, they spent their lives totally and completely dedicated to God on earth, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
We have perfect models in them. Take time to find an app on St. Joseph and put it on your phone or tablet. Dedicate yourself to it. Read a book on St. Joseph, you won’t be disappointed. Pray to St. Joseph as well as Mary each day.
Be a servant, be a saint today!
#Christian YODO (You Only Die Once; We will live again!)
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