Day 11: November 16th
CHASTE GUARDIAN OF THE VIRGIN
One of the words that I don't think we have used, up to this point, regarding St. Joseph is "Guardian." We have spoken about him as the Protector of Mary, which is close, but not quite the same. To be a Guardian calls to mind a certain vigilance and attentiveness. One also guards something that is highly valuable.
St. Joseph certainly fulfilled his duty in this respect, Guarding the virginity and purity of the Virgin Mary, not only in reality, but also in name. That is, he continues to protect her identity as Virgin from those who would try to steal it from her.
We also note today his example of a Chaste Guardianship. To be chaste is to love without any self interest, fulfillment, or desire. This is not only a matter of celibacy, which is a matter of physical relationship, while being chaste describes all aspects of love: heart, soul and body. St. Joseph was the Guardian whose attention was entirely on the protection and preservation of those in his charge. There were no moments of concern over his safety, or his well being. And so he continues to be this Guardian for all who seek him and ask for this vigilant man to become their father as well.
Today we pray with the Fourth Sorrow of St. Joseph, the Prophecy of Simeon, when Joseph hears the harsh words of the suffering that is to befall those put into his charge. Pray for those who are fearful of the future and what may come, that they receive the comfort and consolation of our Guardian, and know that whatever sufferings may come, they can be as much a part of Divine salvation as the sufferings of Christ and our Blessed Mother.
St. Joseph certainly fulfilled his duty in this respect, Guarding the virginity and purity of the Virgin Mary, not only in reality, but also in name. That is, he continues to protect her identity as Virgin from those who would try to steal it from her.
We also note today his example of a Chaste Guardianship. To be chaste is to love without any self interest, fulfillment, or desire. This is not only a matter of celibacy, which is a matter of physical relationship, while being chaste describes all aspects of love: heart, soul and body. St. Joseph was the Guardian whose attention was entirely on the protection and preservation of those in his charge. There were no moments of concern over his safety, or his well being. And so he continues to be this Guardian for all who seek him and ask for this vigilant man to become their father as well.
Today we pray with the Fourth Sorrow of St. Joseph, the Prophecy of Simeon, when Joseph hears the harsh words of the suffering that is to befall those put into his charge. Pray for those who are fearful of the future and what may come, that they receive the comfort and consolation of our Guardian, and know that whatever sufferings may come, they can be as much a part of Divine salvation as the sufferings of Christ and our Blessed Mother.
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 FOURTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON (Lk 2:34)
O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION
My Father and my Guardian, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, O good Father, since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession.
--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 FOURTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON (Lk 2:34)
O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious resurrection which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION
My Father and my Guardian, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, O good Father, since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession.
--AMEN