Day 16: November 21st
JOSEPH MOST CHASTE
The Church calls us, that every one of the baptized is called to a life of chastity, according to his or her station in life. This does not mean, as some may fear, that the Church is asking married couples to be celibate. Celibacy and Chastity, though linked together, are not the same thing and while not all are called to celibacy, and some take this vow, all are called to live chastely.
What then is chastity? It is not uncontrolled passion; it is not obsessive love; it does not seek possession of another; it is not abusive, oppressive nor does it use someone for its own gain; it is not self-seeking. But to be chaste is to love as God loves, without any self-interest. A chaste love is passionate in self-giving; it is zealous at times and is perduring; it is generous and looks to serve the needs of another; a chaste love is merciful and forgiving; it is pure in vision and prepared at any moment to make a self sacrifice. Christ not only loved chastely, but lived chastely in every moment. This is part of the meaning and understanding of Joseph Most Chaste: He did not simply love Mary in this way, but he himself was the embodiment of Chastity, or a man who loved strongly, powerfully and without any self-interest. We may often hear a parent profess their love for a child because of how much joy and fulfillment having a child gives them, but this is not a chaste love. God does not love us because we bring Him joy. He created us that we may experience life abundantly.
In today's prayer, we ask St. Joseph to intercede for us that we may have a pure vision and chaste body. Here we see the fullness of the two. That purity refers to a purity of vision, looking toward heavenly things, rather than earthly or physical pleasures; this leads to a chaste body. Absent any self-satisfaction or interest, our actions in turn treat others most nobly and humbly in every respect.
What then is chastity? It is not uncontrolled passion; it is not obsessive love; it does not seek possession of another; it is not abusive, oppressive nor does it use someone for its own gain; it is not self-seeking. But to be chaste is to love as God loves, without any self-interest. A chaste love is passionate in self-giving; it is zealous at times and is perduring; it is generous and looks to serve the needs of another; a chaste love is merciful and forgiving; it is pure in vision and prepared at any moment to make a self sacrifice. Christ not only loved chastely, but lived chastely in every moment. This is part of the meaning and understanding of Joseph Most Chaste: He did not simply love Mary in this way, but he himself was the embodiment of Chastity, or a man who loved strongly, powerfully and without any self-interest. We may often hear a parent profess their love for a child because of how much joy and fulfillment having a child gives them, but this is not a chaste love. God does not love us because we bring Him joy. He created us that we may experience life abundantly.
In today's prayer, we ask St. Joseph to intercede for us that we may have a pure vision and chaste body. Here we see the fullness of the two. That purity refers to a purity of vision, looking toward heavenly things, rather than earthly or physical pleasures; this leads to a chaste body. Absent any self-satisfaction or interest, our actions in turn treat others most nobly and humbly in every respect.
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
A PRAYER FOR PURITY
O Guardian of Virgins and holy Father St. Joseph, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech thee by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life.
--AMEN
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
A PRAYER FOR PURITY
O Guardian of Virgins and holy Father St. Joseph, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech thee by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life.
--AMEN
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