Day 10: November 15th
ROD OF JESSE
As the tradition goes: When it came time to choose a spouse for Mary, a man of virtue and purity who would also protect her virginity, the eligible men were gathered and each presented a rod for consideration. Among the rods, one began to bloom with lilies. This was the rod presented by St. Joseph, and so he became the one chosen to become the bridegroom to Mary.
But this rod of St. Joseph also harkens back to the prophecy of Isaiah, who promised that one would come from the stump (or root) of Jesse and he would be the Messiah. We can see Joseph, a descendant of Jesse, as the Rod of Jesse. The Rod being a sign of strength and power, of the authority like that of a Father. The Rod is also what a pilgrim would use to help him on his journey, as Joseph also helps us on our pilgrimage and journey, and helps us, through prayer and example, to remain pure and chaste in our love.
In prayer, we also recall today the third Sorrow of St. Joseph, which is the circumcision of Jesus, the first time that the Precious Blood of the Savior was spilled. And so, we join with all fathers in the sorrow of seeing their child injured, especially those whose injuries are most severe.
But this rod of St. Joseph also harkens back to the prophecy of Isaiah, who promised that one would come from the stump (or root) of Jesse and he would be the Messiah. We can see Joseph, a descendant of Jesse, as the Rod of Jesse. The Rod being a sign of strength and power, of the authority like that of a Father. The Rod is also what a pilgrim would use to help him on his journey, as Joseph also helps us on our pilgrimage and journey, and helps us, through prayer and example, to remain pure and chaste in our love.
In prayer, we also recall today the third Sorrow of St. Joseph, which is the circumcision of Jesus, the first time that the Precious Blood of the Savior was spilled. And so, we join with all fathers in the sorrow of seeing their child injured, especially those whose injuries are most severe.
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, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, One God . . .
Holy Mary. Pray for us.
St. Joseph . . .
Renowned offspring of David . . .
Light of Patriarchs . . .
Spouse of the Mother of God . . .
Chaste guardian of the Virgin . . .
Foster father of the Son of God . . .
Diligent protector of Christ . . .
Head of the Holy Family . . .
Joseph most just . . .
Joseph most chaste . . .
Joseph most prudent . . .
Joseph most strong . . .
Joseph most obedient . . .
Joseph most faithful . . .
Mirror of patience . . .
Lover of poverty . . .
Model of artisans . . .
Glory of home life . . .
Guardian of virgins . . .
Pillar of families . . .
Solace of the afflicted . . .
Hope of the sick . . .
Patron of the dying . . .
Terror of demons . . .
Protector of Holy Church . . .
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, O Lord.
℣. He made him the lord of his household.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray: O God, Who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as our Protector; You who live and reign forever, unto the ages of ages.
--AMEN
THE THIRD SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS (Lk 2:21)
O glorious St. Joseph, thou faithfully obeyed the law of God, and thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the infant Saviour during His Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave you new life and filled you with quiet joy.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA)O my beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as thy child. Take charge of my salvation; watch over me day and night; preserve me from the occasions of sin; obtain for me purity of body. Through thy intercession with Jesus, grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial, burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my mother, Saint Joseph, be with my living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful savior.
--AMEN
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, One God . . .
Holy Mary. Pray for us.
St. Joseph . . .
Renowned offspring of David . . .
Light of Patriarchs . . .
Spouse of the Mother of God . . .
Chaste guardian of the Virgin . . .
Foster father of the Son of God . . .
Diligent protector of Christ . . .
Head of the Holy Family . . .
Joseph most just . . .
Joseph most chaste . . .
Joseph most prudent . . .
Joseph most strong . . .
Joseph most obedient . . .
Joseph most faithful . . .
Mirror of patience . . .
Lover of poverty . . .
Model of artisans . . .
Glory of home life . . .
Guardian of virgins . . .
Pillar of families . . .
Solace of the afflicted . . .
Hope of the sick . . .
Patron of the dying . . .
Terror of demons . . .
Protector of Holy Church . . .
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, O Lord.
℣. He made him the lord of his household.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray: O God, Who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as our Protector; You who live and reign forever, unto the ages of ages.
--AMEN
THE THIRD SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS (Lk 2:21)
O glorious St. Joseph, thou faithfully obeyed the law of God, and thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the infant Saviour during His Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave you new life and filled you with quiet joy.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA)O my beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as thy child. Take charge of my salvation; watch over me day and night; preserve me from the occasions of sin; obtain for me purity of body. Through thy intercession with Jesus, grant me a spirit of sacrifice, humility, self-denial, burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet and tender love for Mary, my mother, Saint Joseph, be with my living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful savior.
--AMEN