Day 28: December 3rd
PILLAR OF FAMILIES
In these final days of our Consecration to St. Joseph, we are giving our attention to the work that he continues to do for the Church and members of Christ’s body. This image of Joseph as the Pillar of Families is an easy one for us to imagine. We may be able to even picture our own family standing together on a platform that is raised on the shoulders of the Beloved Saint.
Every family needs a pillar in order to stand, a sure support to keep the walls and ceiling from caving in. Christ is the foundation, without question, and it is on this foundation that St. Joseph himself stands. It is also easy to see how the typical family, and even the value of family, has collapsed in the United States. We need the example of his strength, self-sacrifice, and all of his virtues. But even more, in him we can see the salvific work that the family accomplishes.
Family life is not a mere organizational structure, as modern psychology would have people believe. Through his betrothal to Mary, Joseph was raised from being a righteous man to a life of perfection. Through the love he had for his son, he also became the Foster Father of the Church. The family is one of the most profound of God’s chosen instruments for salvation, which is something that we first glimpsed with Adam and Eve. As the Pillar of Families, St. Joseph not only gives us the model and guide for a healthy family, but opens for us the gifts and significance of the family.
In this way, we can see the great significance of his work for our own families, and for the family in general. How many families in our nation are broken; split between parents, absent fathers or mothers, or even not yet fully formed as in the case of couples who wait, or never get married? Even the idea, hope and example of a nuclear family (father, mother and children), is under severe attack.
Let us pray today, through the hands of St. Joseph, for the state of the family in our nation, and especially for those who have lost hope in the virtuous family, for families broken by the death of a parent or divorce, those that suffer from the loss of a child and the many families that have not yet been formed in marriage.
Every family needs a pillar in order to stand, a sure support to keep the walls and ceiling from caving in. Christ is the foundation, without question, and it is on this foundation that St. Joseph himself stands. It is also easy to see how the typical family, and even the value of family, has collapsed in the United States. We need the example of his strength, self-sacrifice, and all of his virtues. But even more, in him we can see the salvific work that the family accomplishes.
Family life is not a mere organizational structure, as modern psychology would have people believe. Through his betrothal to Mary, Joseph was raised from being a righteous man to a life of perfection. Through the love he had for his son, he also became the Foster Father of the Church. The family is one of the most profound of God’s chosen instruments for salvation, which is something that we first glimpsed with Adam and Eve. As the Pillar of Families, St. Joseph not only gives us the model and guide for a healthy family, but opens for us the gifts and significance of the family.
In this way, we can see the great significance of his work for our own families, and for the family in general. How many families in our nation are broken; split between parents, absent fathers or mothers, or even not yet fully formed as in the case of couples who wait, or never get married? Even the idea, hope and example of a nuclear family (father, mother and children), is under severe attack.
Let us pray today, through the hands of St. Joseph, for the state of the family in our nation, and especially for those who have lost hope in the virtuous family, for families broken by the death of a parent or divorce, those that suffer from the loss of a child and the many families that have not yet been formed in marriage.
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
THE VIRTUES OF ST. JOSEPH (ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN)
St. Joseph was so reserved and careful in his speech that not one word ever issued from his mouth that was not good and holy, nor did he ever indulge in unnecessary or less than charitable conversation. He was most patient and diligent in bearing fatigue; he practiced extreme poverty; he was most meek in bearing injuries; he was strong and constant against my enemies; he was the faithful witness of the wonders of Heaven, being dead to the flesh and the world, living only for God and for heavenly goods, which were the only things he desired. He was perfectly conformed to the Divine Will and so resigned to the dispositions of Heaven that he ever repeated: ‘May the Will of God ever be done in me!’ He rarely spoke with men, but continually with God, whose Will he desired to perform. Wherefore, he now enjoys great glory in Heaven.
--AMEN
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 lied 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
THE VIRTUES OF ST. JOSEPH (ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN)
St. Joseph was so reserved and careful in his speech that not one word ever issued from his mouth that was not good and holy, nor did he ever indulge in unnecessary or less than charitable conversation. He was most patient and diligent in bearing fatigue; he practiced extreme poverty; he was most meek in bearing injuries; he was strong and constant against my enemies; he was the faithful witness of the wonders of Heaven, being dead to the flesh and the world, living only for God and for heavenly goods, which were the only things he desired. He was perfectly conformed to the Divine Will and so resigned to the dispositions of Heaven that he ever repeated: ‘May the Will of God ever be done in me!’ He rarely spoke with men, but continually with God, whose Will he desired to perform. Wherefore, he now enjoys great glory in Heaven.
--AMEN
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 lied 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