Day 25: November 30th
MODEL OF ARTISANS
Beyond where he lived and his ancestral land, there is not much that we know about St. Joseph from the Gospels. But the Gospel is sure to tell us that he was a Carpenter, meaning that this is somehow a very significant aspect about St. Joseph; Isn't he the Carpenter's son? Aren't there many other ways that they could have framed this question, including mentioning Joseph by name? And yet, that Joseph was a carpenter is meaningful.
He was a man who worked with his hands, shaped and created things. Neither was he born of nobility nor considered an especially influential leader in the Jewish community.
As the Model of Artisans, we are drawn to the creative nature of being human. Human beings create. This is not always in an artistic way by contemporary standards, nor is it always in a material way, like carpentry. But being ourselves Created in the Image and Likeness of the Creator, it should not be a surprise that being creative is both a part of our nature and it is also through creation that we share in the work of God our Father. Creating things is a work of salvation and potentially draws us closer to God.
We may create by building things, by drawing, or painting, but also writing, in speaking, singing, even something as mundane as cooking is a creative act. Through this activity of creation we express a part of ourselves and and are once again, drawn into relationship with something other than ourself. Creating things becomes a work of love and every person has a way in which they are endowed with an ability to create.
As the Model of Artisans, St. Joseph calls us back to the significance of the things that we create, he also takes the place as a Patron for those who live through the work of their hands and reminds us that what we create, should be directed toward God and the service of others.
Today, we ask St. Joseph to Pray for Workmen, not only may our labors be directed toward our salvation, and the salvation of others, but may those who work hardest and under great physical toil receive the rest, comfort and strength to meet the needs of their families and all who depend on their labors.
He was a man who worked with his hands, shaped and created things. Neither was he born of nobility nor considered an especially influential leader in the Jewish community.
As the Model of Artisans, we are drawn to the creative nature of being human. Human beings create. This is not always in an artistic way by contemporary standards, nor is it always in a material way, like carpentry. But being ourselves Created in the Image and Likeness of the Creator, it should not be a surprise that being creative is both a part of our nature and it is also through creation that we share in the work of God our Father. Creating things is a work of salvation and potentially draws us closer to God.
We may create by building things, by drawing, or painting, but also writing, in speaking, singing, even something as mundane as cooking is a creative act. Through this activity of creation we express a part of ourselves and and are once again, drawn into relationship with something other than ourself. Creating things becomes a work of love and every person has a way in which they are endowed with an ability to create.
As the Model of Artisans, St. Joseph calls us back to the significance of the things that we create, he also takes the place as a Patron for those who live through the work of their hands and reminds us that what we create, should be directed toward God and the service of others.
Today, we ask St. Joseph to Pray for Workmen, not only may our labors be directed toward our salvation, and the salvation of others, but may those who work hardest and under great physical toil receive the rest, comfort and strength to meet the needs of their families and all who depend on their labors.
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 TO ST. JOSEPH THE WORKMAN (POPE PIUS X)
O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death.
--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 TO ST. JOSEPH THE WORKMAN (POPE PIUS X)
O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death.
--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