Day 18: November 23rd
JOSEPH MOST STRONG
Today, St. Joseph invites us to share in his virtue of Strength. More than a virtue, strength itself is one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, that gift of Fortitude. Through strength and Fortitude, St. Joseph is able to bear the weight and burden of others, but his strength is not only for carrying the sin of others. If we are attentive, we can see that strength is not very useful for the one who is strong, or for ourselves. To be strong does mean that one can defend one’s self and stand up in the midst of a strong wind without being blown over. However, it is primarily used for lifting things, completing a job, or for helping other people—all things that involve someone or something else. The gift of strength is given to one for the good of another.
Strength and Fortitude help support and give a foundation for other virtues. Through strength, one is able to be more patient, more compassionate, to act with a stronger faith, to pray more earnestly, even better able to resist temptations, and to endure in all other virtues.
The prayer for today is a Prayer of Confidence in St. Joseph, as we are encouraged to rest on the Strength of St. Joseph, not just the strength of his hands, but also his convictions and all of the other virtues that we may have confidence in.
Strength and Fortitude help support and give a foundation for other virtues. Through strength, one is able to be more patient, more compassionate, to act with a stronger faith, to pray more earnestly, even better able to resist temptations, and to endure in all other virtues.
The prayer for today is a Prayer of Confidence in St. Joseph, as we are encouraged to rest on the Strength of St. Joseph, not just the strength of his hands, but also his convictions and all of the other virtues that we may have confidence in.
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
PRAYER IN CONFIDENCE TO ST. JOSEPH (Ven. Martin von Cochem)O Dear St. Joseph, faithful foster father of Jesus Christ, I devoutly come before thy sacred image and implore your aid and intercession in my present necessity. I know and firmly believe that to thee all things are possible with God, and that the sweet Infant Jesus, who on earth was subject to thee, His reputed father, can now in Heaven refuse thee no request. Thy faithful servant, the seraphic St. Teresa, experienced this and declared that never did she present to thee a petition that you did not grant; at the same time she invites all to have recourse to thee, assuring them that they will not depart from thee unconsoled.
Encouraged by this promise, I fly to thee, O holy Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ and chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beseeching thee by the tender love that you did bear to both, to bestow on me thy love and mercy. Comfort me in my present trial and affliction and obtain for me, through Jesus and Mary, that God the Father may grant me petition. Send up to the Heart of thy beloved Jesus but a single sigh, lovingly present to Him my request; then I shall certainly obtain it and be consoled in my distress.
To obtain this favorI shall say three Our Fathers and Hail Marys.
--AMEN
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
PRAYER IN CONFIDENCE TO ST. JOSEPH (Ven. Martin von Cochem)O Dear St. Joseph, faithful foster father of Jesus Christ, I devoutly come before thy sacred image and implore your aid and intercession in my present necessity. I know and firmly believe that to thee all things are possible with God, and that the sweet Infant Jesus, who on earth was subject to thee, His reputed father, can now in Heaven refuse thee no request. Thy faithful servant, the seraphic St. Teresa, experienced this and declared that never did she present to thee a petition that you did not grant; at the same time she invites all to have recourse to thee, assuring them that they will not depart from thee unconsoled.
Encouraged by this promise, I fly to thee, O holy Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ and chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beseeching thee by the tender love that you did bear to both, to bestow on me thy love and mercy. Comfort me in my present trial and affliction and obtain for me, through Jesus and Mary, that God the Father may grant me petition. Send up to the Heart of thy beloved Jesus but a single sigh, lovingly present to Him my request; then I shall certainly obtain it and be consoled in my distress.
To obtain this favorI shall say three Our Fathers and Hail Marys.
--AMEN
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