Day 3: November 8th
FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD
It is widely known in our tradition that everything the Church has come to know about the Blessed Virgin Mary comes from her relationship to Christ as the Mother of God. How often, on the other hand, do we think about St. Joseph in this same way? How often do we think about how profoundly he would have been changed and impacted by being the Father of the Son God?
To see the joy of the child Jesus, hear the words of Simeon in the temple, what wisdom Jesus shared with him; how unimaginable would it have been to hold the Son of God in your arms as he's sleeping and to run to you for protection. All of these, and so much more, surely left a mark on St. Joseph's soul.
He was both chosen to be the father of Jesus because of his virtue, faith and love, and was increased, being given the fullness of graces because he was his father. He possesses the wisdom, strength, compassion, patience, sense of justice and all virtues of faith that were fitting and necessary to raise the child Jesus and become a truly worthy father of the Son of God.
To see the joy of the child Jesus, hear the words of Simeon in the temple, what wisdom Jesus shared with him; how unimaginable would it have been to hold the Son of God in your arms as he's sleeping and to run to you for protection. All of these, and so much more, surely left a mark on St. Joseph's soul.
He was both chosen to be the father of Jesus because of his virtue, faith and love, and was increased, being given the fullness of graces because he was his father. He possesses the wisdom, strength, compassion, patience, sense of justice and all virtues of faith that were fitting and necessary to raise the child Jesus and become a truly worthy father of the Son of God.
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 THE CHILD JESUS (Ven. Cyril of the Mother of God)
O Child Jesus, I have recourse to You through Your Holy Mother, and Blessed St. Joseph, your father on earth; I implore You to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Your Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and entreat You, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them.I am firmly resolved never to offend You again and to suffer everything rather than displease You. Henceforth, I wish to serve You faithfully. For love of You, O divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself. O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I entreat You again to come to my assistance in this necessity, as I consecrate myself to your foster father, St. Joseph. Grant me the grace of possessing You eternally with Mary and Joseph and of adoring You with Your Holy Angels and Saints.
--AMEN
(This prayer was given to the Venerable Cyril of the Mother of God when he underwent the work of restoring the Infant of Prague statue.)
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 me 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 TO THE CHILD JESUS (Ven. Cyril of the Mother of God)
O Child Jesus, I have recourse to You through Your Holy Mother, and Blessed St. Joseph, your father on earth; I implore You to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Your Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and entreat You, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them.I am firmly resolved never to offend You again and to suffer everything rather than displease You. Henceforth, I wish to serve You faithfully. For love of You, O divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself. O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I entreat You again to come to my assistance in this necessity, as I consecrate myself to your foster father, St. Joseph. Grant me the grace of possessing You eternally with Mary and Joseph and of adoring You with Your Holy Angels and Saints.
--AMEN
(This prayer was given to the Venerable Cyril of the Mother of God when he underwent the work of restoring the Infant of Prague statue.)
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 me living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful savior.
--AMEN