Day 12: November 17th
FOSTER FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD
We have already spoken frequently about St. Joseph's place as the Foster Father of the Son of God. But most of the time, we talk about this from St. Joseph's perspective; what it was like for him to accept this child as his own. Today is an invitation to think from a different perspective: How does Jesus see this man who accepted him as his own son?
There is little doubt that our Lord would see this man with eyes of a tremendous love and gratitude; with faith and confidence in his protection (not only for himself but for all placed into his care); with obedience; and with assurance that what he seeks, has been inspired by the Father, who entrusted the Son into Joseph's care.
As the Foster Father, St. Joseph can also challenge us in our perception of things. In another consecration that I have read, the authors were critical of the title of Foster Father because they did not feel that it gave justice to the Fatherhood Joseph provided. The authors felt that it minimized his role and value, treating him as second rate and something less than a real father. This is all the more reason to name him Foster Father, not because it reduces his role and significance, but because he gives us the example and brings to light the goodness of what a foster father is.
Again, the Saints and especially this beloved Saint, shed light on the world. In reality, to call someone a foster father is not a diminutive. To be a foster father is to joyfully and fully accept the fatherhood of a child who is not born of your blood; to willfully place the life of another ahead of your own; an expression of love that is made out of total and complete freedom. St. Joseph did not take the child Jesus as something less than his son, he did not pursue a need to have children of his own, because Jesus was his own. To become a child by adoption does not leave one as a secondary citizen in the family, but describes only the means by which we enter into the family. How significant is this when we consider that as Jesus was the adopted son of Joseph, so we are the adopted sons and daughters of His Father in Heaven. To remember St. Joseph as the Foster Father of the Son of God reminds us of God’s love for each of us and of the true inheritance that awaits.
As part of our prayers today, we share with St. Joseph in his fifth Sorrow, the Flight into Egypt. Through him, and by joining him in this time of sorrow, we pray for all those who flee from persecution and are forced to runaway from their homes, maybe especially for the youth who have run away, or been taken from their homes for slavery. May they have the Blessed St. Joseph also as their protector, guide, and Foster Father to see them return home when it is safe, just as he returned with the Holy Family. Let us also pray and remember all those who were unable to flee and the lives of the innocents that have been lost.
There is little doubt that our Lord would see this man with eyes of a tremendous love and gratitude; with faith and confidence in his protection (not only for himself but for all placed into his care); with obedience; and with assurance that what he seeks, has been inspired by the Father, who entrusted the Son into Joseph's care.
As the Foster Father, St. Joseph can also challenge us in our perception of things. In another consecration that I have read, the authors were critical of the title of Foster Father because they did not feel that it gave justice to the Fatherhood Joseph provided. The authors felt that it minimized his role and value, treating him as second rate and something less than a real father. This is all the more reason to name him Foster Father, not because it reduces his role and significance, but because he gives us the example and brings to light the goodness of what a foster father is.
Again, the Saints and especially this beloved Saint, shed light on the world. In reality, to call someone a foster father is not a diminutive. To be a foster father is to joyfully and fully accept the fatherhood of a child who is not born of your blood; to willfully place the life of another ahead of your own; an expression of love that is made out of total and complete freedom. St. Joseph did not take the child Jesus as something less than his son, he did not pursue a need to have children of his own, because Jesus was his own. To become a child by adoption does not leave one as a secondary citizen in the family, but describes only the means by which we enter into the family. How significant is this when we consider that as Jesus was the adopted son of Joseph, so we are the adopted sons and daughters of His Father in Heaven. To remember St. Joseph as the Foster Father of the Son of God reminds us of God’s love for each of us and of the true inheritance that awaits.
As part of our prayers today, we share with St. Joseph in his fifth Sorrow, the Flight into Egypt. Through him, and by joining him in this time of sorrow, we pray for all those who flee from persecution and are forced to runaway from their homes, maybe especially for the youth who have run away, or been taken from their homes for slavery. May they have the Blessed St. Joseph also as their protector, guide, and Foster Father to see them return home when it is safe, just as he returned with the Holy Family. Let us also pray and remember all those who were unable to flee and the lives of the innocents that have been lost.
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 FIFTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT (Mt 2:14)
O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was thine in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how you did rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly affectionn fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.
--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 FIFTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT (Mt 2:14)
O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was thine in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how you did rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly affectionn fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION
O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.
--AMEN