Day 23: November 28th
LOVER OF POVERTY
Under the title of Lover of Poverty, it is the "Lover" that we should be attentive to. St. Joseph did not simply endure or accept poverty, but rather, he sought poverty, and more than embraced it, gives us this example of truly loving and seeking poverty. It is no coincidence that this is one of the evangelical counsels and vows made by Catholic religious.
The vow of poverty is more aptly understood and even referred in many Rules of Life as the renunciation of ownership. In this light, it is far easier to see that Holy Poverty is not centrally about a severe lack of necessities and owning poor quality things. Rather, it is about no longer taking ownership of the things in our care. Certainly St. Joseph, the Foster Father of the Son of God, knew about not claiming ownership of the Son who was placed into his care, or of the Blessed Virgin placed into his care. This too is one of the significant reasons for her perpetual virginity, that she was fully devoted to God as a spouse.
Renouncing ownership, true poverty, helps us to see that what we possess belongs to God and is to be used for His kingdom and the salvation of others. It does not mean that we no longer have anything, but that what we have has been placed under our care and for our use toward God's design. My car, my computer, etc. are not mine for exclusive use, but mine for responsibility of care. It also becomes easier to remember to help someone with a ride or offer to jump start their car when I realize that I'm just the servant and it's the Master's car that should be used as He would use it.
Renunciation of ownership also does not only apply to physical things, but to spiritual things as well. Even my virtues, my faith, my knowledge, wisdom (if I have any), strength and perseverance are gifts of the Holy Spirit and remain gifts from God, they are not given to be used for building my own Pride or stature in life. St. Joseph reminds us to be Lovers of Poverty, to pursue and embrace it with great Joy.
Today we also remember particularly about the encouragement to make one noteworthy charitable act each week. To be noteworthy means that it is something of significance, is planned and intentional. It could be to call a relative that you haven't spoken with for a long time; maybe there is a co-worker who needs transportation for the week; baking something to take to a neighbor; or a financial act of charitable giving. Although it is not an essential element to the Consecration, it will increase the fruit and graces you receive and strengthen your bond to St. Joseph significantly.
The vow of poverty is more aptly understood and even referred in many Rules of Life as the renunciation of ownership. In this light, it is far easier to see that Holy Poverty is not centrally about a severe lack of necessities and owning poor quality things. Rather, it is about no longer taking ownership of the things in our care. Certainly St. Joseph, the Foster Father of the Son of God, knew about not claiming ownership of the Son who was placed into his care, or of the Blessed Virgin placed into his care. This too is one of the significant reasons for her perpetual virginity, that she was fully devoted to God as a spouse.
Renouncing ownership, true poverty, helps us to see that what we possess belongs to God and is to be used for His kingdom and the salvation of others. It does not mean that we no longer have anything, but that what we have has been placed under our care and for our use toward God's design. My car, my computer, etc. are not mine for exclusive use, but mine for responsibility of care. It also becomes easier to remember to help someone with a ride or offer to jump start their car when I realize that I'm just the servant and it's the Master's car that should be used as He would use it.
Renunciation of ownership also does not only apply to physical things, but to spiritual things as well. Even my virtues, my faith, my knowledge, wisdom (if I have any), strength and perseverance are gifts of the Holy Spirit and remain gifts from God, they are not given to be used for building my own Pride or stature in life. St. Joseph reminds us to be Lovers of Poverty, to pursue and embrace it with great Joy.
Today we also remember particularly about the encouragement to make one noteworthy charitable act each week. To be noteworthy means that it is something of significance, is planned and intentional. It could be to call a relative that you haven't spoken with for a long time; maybe there is a co-worker who needs transportation for the week; baking something to take to a neighbor; or a financial act of charitable giving. Although it is not an essential element to the Consecration, it will increase the fruit and graces you receive and strengthen your bond to St. Joseph significantly.
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 OF CONFIDENCE IN 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 favor I shall say three Our Fathers and Hail Marys.
--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 shae 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
PRAYER OF CONFIDENCE IN 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 favor I shall say three Our Fathers and Hail Marys.
--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 shae in the peace and joy of your holy death.
--AMEN