Day 13: November 18th
ZEALOUS DEFENDER OF CHRIST
Zelo Zelatus: I am Zealous with Zeal for the Lord recalls the words of the Prophet Elijah who stood in defense of the God of Israel in the face of false prophets and the worship of other gods. To be zealous is, in a way, to have a single vision for something that is so strong that there is nothing you will not do to reach that goal. When one is zealous, tiredness, fear, and sacrifice become obstacles to work around or confront. A zealous person does not turn back from his course.
At times, we can be critical of people for being over zealous and unwilling to compromise because it can lead them into folly or even blind them from negative consequences of their actions. The question though isn't whether or not Zeal is virtuous, but what are you Zealous for.
As the Defender of Christ, St. Joseph defended him physically, in this life, and he also defends the Name of Jesus as the Son of God, through his virtue and prayers. He Defended the virginity of Mary, in his own chastity. And he defends the body of Christ, the Church, Our Diocese (particularly as the Diocese of Kansas City-ST. JOSEPH) and each member of the body.
Also today, we join in the Sixth Sorrow, the Return From Egypt. This is a sorrow born in faith, as he was surely fearful of Achelus, but he accepted the surety of the promise of the angel that it was safe to return. He placed his zealous faith that his son was born of the Holy Spirit, God would allow no harm to come to his family.
At times, we can be critical of people for being over zealous and unwilling to compromise because it can lead them into folly or even blind them from negative consequences of their actions. The question though isn't whether or not Zeal is virtuous, but what are you Zealous for.
As the Defender of Christ, St. Joseph defended him physically, in this life, and he also defends the Name of Jesus as the Son of God, through his virtue and prayers. He Defended the virginity of Mary, in his own chastity. And he defends the body of Christ, the Church, Our Diocese (particularly as the Diocese of Kansas City-ST. JOSEPH) and each member of the body.
Also today, we join in the Sixth Sorrow, the Return From Egypt. This is a sorrow born in faith, as he was surely fearful of Achelus, but he accepted the surety of the promise of the angel that it was safe to return. He placed his zealous faith that his son was born of the Holy Spirit, God would allow no harm to come to his family.
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 SIXTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE RETURN FROM EGYPT (Mt 2:22)O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, you did marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy commands, but thy consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by your fear of Achelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, you dwelled in gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and may, like thee, die in their company.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION
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 SIXTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE RETURN FROM EGYPT (Mt 2:22)O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, you did marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy commands, but thy consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by your fear of Achelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, you dwelled in gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.
By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and may, like thee, die in their company.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION
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