Day 20: November 25th
JOSEPH MOST FAITHFUL
I think that it is very easy to see St. Joseph's Faithfulness: the strength of his faith in accepting the words of the Angel Gabrielle to accept Mary as his wife, trusting in God's divine plan with such steadfastness to take his family and flee to a land that was hostile to Jews, and the courage to return home even when there was reason to remain afraid. These are aspects of Faithfulness that we often think about: To do what is right in the face of persecution, trust that God will provide, and have faith in His protection and Will.
But today, I would like to focus on one particular aspect of Faithfulness that we likely don't see in St. Joseph, and it is the faith of the things that we do not see, and will not see in this life. St. Joseph was called to be the father, protector and provider to Mary and Jesus, and yet, he died and was not around to continue to provide these things for his family, or to witness in this life, the fruit of his work coming to bear.
It is one thing to have faith in following God's commands, but he what happens when the command we are given is to leave? How many parents, or spouses grow fearful at passing from this life because of the ones who depend on them and need them?
St. Joseph is not only most Faithful, but is the patron of a Happy Death and was faithful, not only in what he did, but what he was called not to do. He was faithful to the work that he accomplished, confident that it would bear fruit; faithful to his son that when it came time for His ministry and revelation to the world, that He would accomplish His task without the presence of His father; and Faithful to the part of God's plan that he did not see.
Lastly, I think it is good to share that when I made this Consecration for the first time, this day came on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Although I had not chosen today’s prayer, a prayer to St. Joseph for a Lively Faith, with any attention to the calendar date, it is quite fitting as the Collect for the Mass of this Feast day includes the petition: "grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, may seek with ever more lively faith." May those who seek St. Joseph as their spiritual guide and Father, also receive this same liveliness and exuberance in Faith.
But today, I would like to focus on one particular aspect of Faithfulness that we likely don't see in St. Joseph, and it is the faith of the things that we do not see, and will not see in this life. St. Joseph was called to be the father, protector and provider to Mary and Jesus, and yet, he died and was not around to continue to provide these things for his family, or to witness in this life, the fruit of his work coming to bear.
It is one thing to have faith in following God's commands, but he what happens when the command we are given is to leave? How many parents, or spouses grow fearful at passing from this life because of the ones who depend on them and need them?
St. Joseph is not only most Faithful, but is the patron of a Happy Death and was faithful, not only in what he did, but what he was called not to do. He was faithful to the work that he accomplished, confident that it would bear fruit; faithful to his son that when it came time for His ministry and revelation to the world, that He would accomplish His task without the presence of His father; and Faithful to the part of God's plan that he did not see.
Lastly, I think it is good to share that when I made this Consecration for the first time, this day came on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Although I had not chosen today’s prayer, a prayer to St. Joseph for a Lively Faith, with any attention to the calendar date, it is quite fitting as the Collect for the Mass of this Feast day includes the petition: "grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, may seek with ever more lively faith." May those who seek St. Joseph as their spiritual guide and Father, also receive this same liveliness and exuberance in Faith.
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 FOR A LIVELY FAITH
O happy, blissful St. Joseph, heir of the faith of all the Patriarchs, vouchsafe to obtain for me this beautiful and precious virtue. Increase in me a lively faith, the foundation of all sanctity, that faith without which no one can be pleasing to God.
Obtain for me that faith which triumphs over all temptations of the world and conquers human respect, which can be shaken by nothing, and which is directed solely toward God. Cause me, after your example, to live by faith, to subject my heart and understanding to God, that one day I may behold in Heaven what I now firmly believe on earth.
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA)
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
PRAYER FOR A LIVELY FAITH
O happy, blissful St. Joseph, heir of the faith of all the Patriarchs, vouchsafe to obtain for me this beautiful and precious virtue. Increase in me a lively faith, the foundation of all sanctity, that faith without which no one can be pleasing to God.
Obtain for me that faith which triumphs over all temptations of the world and conquers human respect, which can be shaken by nothing, and which is directed solely toward God. Cause me, after your example, to live by faith, to subject my heart and understanding to God, that one day I may behold in Heaven what I now firmly believe on earth.
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA)
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