Day 14: November 19th
HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY
St. Joseph is the head of this family. Maybe we should allow that thought to settle for a moment: A family of Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Mother of God and Queen of the Universe—yet neither of these are the Head of the Holy Family. Rather, this humble carpenter from Nazareth, a land of simple repute and insignificance, is the ordained head. Do we think that Jesus or Mary ever questioned or wondered why they should be under the authority and care of someone so simple, who was just an ordinary man?
Most certainly, he was also worthy, in virtue and faith, of their faith, that as the head, he would protect, always look out for their interest (not his own), and provide for their needs. They followed him with obedience.
His virtue, also gives us the example of what it means to be the head, of a family, or of an organization. To be the head does not mean to be the authoritarian leader who is smarter and more skilled than every other. But it is to possess a profound love and bear the responsibility of care for those placed in our charge.
This title also reminds us that there truly is a Holy Family, that is, a family that is set apart for God for the purpose of salvation. The intention and purpose of the family, going back to the first family in the Garden of Eden, is to guide the world and its members closer to salvation. Through the family, we can experience the relationship that God desires for each of us. There are certainly broken and fallen families. It is okay to say that they are broken, because God desires our healing and has promised that any family, can again lead us into a life of holiness and salvation.
Most certainly, he was also worthy, in virtue and faith, of their faith, that as the head, he would protect, always look out for their interest (not his own), and provide for their needs. They followed him with obedience.
His virtue, also gives us the example of what it means to be the head, of a family, or of an organization. To be the head does not mean to be the authoritarian leader who is smarter and more skilled than every other. But it is to possess a profound love and bear the responsibility of care for those placed in our charge.
This title also reminds us that there truly is a Holy Family, that is, a family that is set apart for God for the purpose of salvation. The intention and purpose of the family, going back to the first family in the Garden of Eden, is to guide the world and its members closer to salvation. Through the family, we can experience the relationship that God desires for each of us. There are certainly broken and fallen families. It is okay to say that they are broken, because God desires our healing and has promised that any family, can again lead us into a life of holiness and salvation.
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 SEVENTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE LOSS OF THE CHILD JESUS (Lk 2:45)
O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when you did lose, through no fault of thine own, the Child Jesus, though sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy you did find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors.
By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there, in company with thee, may we sing the praises of His Divine mercy forever.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION (St. Peter Julian Eymard)
I consecrate myself to you, good St. Joseph, as my spiritual father. I choose you to rule my soul and to teach me the interior life, the life hidden away with Jesus, Mary, and yourself.
Above all, I want to imitate the humble silence with which you shrouded Jesus and Mary. For me, everything rests in that--self abnegation like our Lord in his hidden life, making the world forget me by my silence and my practice of virtue.
I consecrate myself to you as my guide and model in all my duties so that I may learn to fulfill them with meekness and humility: with meekness toward my brethren. my neighbor, and all with whom I come in contact; with humility toward myself and simplicity before God.
I choose you, good Saint, as my counselor, my confidant, my protector in all my difficulties and trials. I do not ask to be spared crosses and sufferings, but only from self-love which might take away their value by making me vain about them.
I choose you as my protector. Be my father, as you were the father of the Holy Family at Nazareth. Be my guide; be my protector. I do not ask for temporal goods, greatness or power. I ask only that I serve with fidelity and devotedness my divine King.
I shall honor, love, and serve you with Mary, my mother, and never shall I separate her name from yours.
O Jesus, give me Joseph for a father as you have given me Mary as a mother. Fill me with devotion, confidence, and filial love. Listen to my prayer. I know that you will. Already I feel more devout, more full of hope and confidence in good St. Joseph, your foster father and my spiritual father.
--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 SEVENTH SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE LOSS OF THE CHILD JESUS (Lk 2:45)
O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when you did lose, through no fault of thine own, the Child Jesus, though sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy you did find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors.
By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there, in company with thee, may we sing the praises of His Divine mercy forever.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
ACT OF CONSECRATION (St. Peter Julian Eymard)
I consecrate myself to you, good St. Joseph, as my spiritual father. I choose you to rule my soul and to teach me the interior life, the life hidden away with Jesus, Mary, and yourself.
Above all, I want to imitate the humble silence with which you shrouded Jesus and Mary. For me, everything rests in that--self abnegation like our Lord in his hidden life, making the world forget me by my silence and my practice of virtue.
I consecrate myself to you as my guide and model in all my duties so that I may learn to fulfill them with meekness and humility: with meekness toward my brethren. my neighbor, and all with whom I come in contact; with humility toward myself and simplicity before God.
I choose you, good Saint, as my counselor, my confidant, my protector in all my difficulties and trials. I do not ask to be spared crosses and sufferings, but only from self-love which might take away their value by making me vain about them.
I choose you as my protector. Be my father, as you were the father of the Holy Family at Nazareth. Be my guide; be my protector. I do not ask for temporal goods, greatness or power. I ask only that I serve with fidelity and devotedness my divine King.
I shall honor, love, and serve you with Mary, my mother, and never shall I separate her name from yours.
O Jesus, give me Joseph for a father as you have given me Mary as a mother. Fill me with devotion, confidence, and filial love. Listen to my prayer. I know that you will. Already I feel more devout, more full of hope and confidence in good St. Joseph, your foster father and my spiritual father.
--AMEN