Day 2: November 7th
IMAGE OF GOD THE FATHER
We step into Day 2 of our Consecration to St. Joseph keeping in mind the Image of God the Father.
In considering God the Father, there are two things that are very meaningful as we invite St. Joseph to be our spiritual father. The first is to remember the actual content of the Will of the Father, which is, as Jesus Christ told us: That none of what has been given to him be lost. The Will of the Father is that none of who has been given to our Good Shepherd be lost, but for our salvation and heavenly abode, ultimately, to live eternally in perfect union with the Holy Trinity. This too is St. Joseph's desire for us. As we pray the Our Father today, we are invited to reflect on St. Joseph also in this role. Not because he is made to be God himself, but as he also sought, and with great virtue and success, to image himself and become like his Heavenly Father. St. Joseph is, in this way, also a father who is in heaven, his name is blessed (not hallowed), he seeks to bring our Father's Kingdom on earth to dwell in our hearts, and his will is also for the salvation of each of his adopted sons and daughters. And we can imagine the remainder of the prayer in these very same ways as he prays and hopes also, being a model of forgiveness, that we receive our daily bread in Christ and be spared from all tests and temptations.
With this relationship of our Father and Joseph as an image of the Father in mind, we may also remember the relationship between God and His children of Israel. Beginning with their slavery in Egypt, He went down to Egypt to rescue them. He did not simply call them out and wait for them to come to Him. The Father actively comes to us, draws us out to meet Him, teaches us with commands and wisdom, perseveres through our youthfulness, endures in patience, and gives of his own life so that we come to know Him and become like Him.
The Father is the model for His son or daughter. As St. Joseph became like the Father, he leads us and also gives us the example of God the Father.
In considering God the Father, there are two things that are very meaningful as we invite St. Joseph to be our spiritual father. The first is to remember the actual content of the Will of the Father, which is, as Jesus Christ told us: That none of what has been given to him be lost. The Will of the Father is that none of who has been given to our Good Shepherd be lost, but for our salvation and heavenly abode, ultimately, to live eternally in perfect union with the Holy Trinity. This too is St. Joseph's desire for us. As we pray the Our Father today, we are invited to reflect on St. Joseph also in this role. Not because he is made to be God himself, but as he also sought, and with great virtue and success, to image himself and become like his Heavenly Father. St. Joseph is, in this way, also a father who is in heaven, his name is blessed (not hallowed), he seeks to bring our Father's Kingdom on earth to dwell in our hearts, and his will is also for the salvation of each of his adopted sons and daughters. And we can imagine the remainder of the prayer in these very same ways as he prays and hopes also, being a model of forgiveness, that we receive our daily bread in Christ and be spared from all tests and temptations.
With this relationship of our Father and Joseph as an image of the Father in mind, we may also remember the relationship between God and His children of Israel. Beginning with their slavery in Egypt, He went down to Egypt to rescue them. He did not simply call them out and wait for them to come to Him. The Father actively comes to us, draws us out to meet Him, teaches us with commands and wisdom, perseveres through our youthfulness, endures in patience, and gives of his own life so that we come to know Him and become like Him.
The Father is the model for His son or daughter. As St. Joseph became like the Father, he leads us and also gives us the example of God the Father.
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
OUR FATHER X 5
Say 5 Our Fathers, with special attention and the intention of inviting St. Joseph as father of the Holy Family to be your spiritual father, and with confidence that he lives in imitation of our heavenly Father.
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
OUR FATHER X 5
Say 5 Our Fathers, with special attention and the intention of inviting St. Joseph as father of the Holy Family to be your spiritual father, and with confidence that he lives in imitation of our heavenly Father.
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