Day 5: November 10th
BELOVED OF THE HOLY TRINITY
Throughout the past few days, we have focused on how St. Joseph embodies and serves as an image to us of the Holy Trinity as a Father, a Son and in the work of the Holy Spirit. He opens for us a doorway to seeing how we continue to live in the Image of God, as we were created. Today, we are invited to focus on how he was loved.
We are Beloved by the Holy Trinity. Each person of the Trinity loves perfectly, yet in a particular and distinct way. There is the love of a Father who protects, teaches and wills the salvation of all; the love of the Son who loves with obedience, companionship and reveals the Father; and the love of the Holy Spirit, who is the act of loving itself, reaching forth to the lost and giving of the Wisdom of the Father and Work of the Son.
Today, we introduce a Carmelite Memorare to St. Joseph, the recollection that he has never failed anyone who has sought his assistance and intercession. This is not according to his greatness, but that he is the Beloved of the Holy Trinity. The earliest tradition tells us that he was chosen from among the men of the village to be the spouse of the Mother of God and Father of the Son of God; As a son, he followed the rules, laws and wisdom of his Father, which was shown in his righteousness; In time of doubt and need for guidance, the Holy Spirit came to him through the angel to direct his every step. While these aspects draw our attention toward his actions and what Joseph did, today’s attention to the beloved pulls us back to one who receives the love of God.
He was beloved by the Father, as he was chosen to be the Foster Father of His Son; Beloved by the Son, who looked upon his father’s face as St. Joseph cradled him in his arms; and Beloved by the Holy Spirit, the Protector, as he became the protector of the Holy Family and was also beloved by Mary, the vessel of the Holy Spirit and Mother of God.
All that St. Joseph does for us is done in this very name of The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit and thus all that he asks is done for him.
We are Beloved by the Holy Trinity. Each person of the Trinity loves perfectly, yet in a particular and distinct way. There is the love of a Father who protects, teaches and wills the salvation of all; the love of the Son who loves with obedience, companionship and reveals the Father; and the love of the Holy Spirit, who is the act of loving itself, reaching forth to the lost and giving of the Wisdom of the Father and Work of the Son.
Today, we introduce a Carmelite Memorare to St. Joseph, the recollection that he has never failed anyone who has sought his assistance and intercession. This is not according to his greatness, but that he is the Beloved of the Holy Trinity. The earliest tradition tells us that he was chosen from among the men of the village to be the spouse of the Mother of God and Father of the Son of God; As a son, he followed the rules, laws and wisdom of his Father, which was shown in his righteousness; In time of doubt and need for guidance, the Holy Spirit came to him through the angel to direct his every step. While these aspects draw our attention toward his actions and what Joseph did, today’s attention to the beloved pulls us back to one who receives the love of God.
He was beloved by the Father, as he was chosen to be the Foster Father of His Son; Beloved by the Son, who looked upon his father’s face as St. Joseph cradled him in his arms; and Beloved by the Holy Spirit, the Protector, as he became the protector of the Holy Family and was also beloved by Mary, the vessel of the Holy Spirit and Mother of God.
All that St. Joseph does for us is done in this very name of The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit and thus all that he asks is done for him.
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
CARMELITE MEMORARE TO ST. JOSEPH
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted client, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked thy protection or sought thy mediation who has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come before thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Saviour of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Sacred Heart. Despise not my earnest prayer, but graciously hear and obtain my petition.
Glory be . . .
--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
CARMELITE MEMORARE TO ST. JOSEPH
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted client, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked thy protection or sought thy mediation who has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come before thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Saviour of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Sacred Heart. Despise not my earnest prayer, but graciously hear and obtain my petition.
Glory be . . .
--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