Day 9: November 14th
LIGHT OF THE PATRIARCHS
In considering St. Joseph as the Light of the Patriarchs, our attention is called to two things. First, as the light, he is both the one toward whom they pointed and sheds light upon them so that we can see the Patriarchs more clearly. In Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we have seen examples of great virtue in particular ways. We may look to the faith of Abraham, the obedience of Isaac and the perseverance of Jacob. Even though, at the same time, we also see some serious faults as these imperfect men were still chosen to be part of the Salvation of God. St. Joseph, however, embodies each of these strengths, so it is through the Patriarchs that we can also come to know him better.
The second aspect of this title is a call to the Patriarchs, reminding us again of the long history of Salvation and the significance of these figures of the Old Testament in also leading us toward our God. We have the beautiful beginning of St. Matthew's Gospel which gives us the genealogy of Jesus and traces the lineage throughout the generations and each step along the way. Often times we may look at that and even gloss over the names until we can get to the actual beginning of the story, but each of the names mentioned had a specific and particular role in this line. It can remind us of their virtue and our companionship with them. At the time they lived, they likely did not know what their place had been. Even if their place was simply to be a link in the chain, to be the father or mother of the next generation, that was necessary work and invaluable contribution to the birth of the Son of God in the flesh.
We are familiar, of course, with the three most significant of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham gives us that model of faith and righteousness, but also called forward the mercy of God as he pleaded for the cause of the innocents who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. In Isaac, we have an image of the purity of heart and obedience. He was obedient to his father in carrying the wood that was to be used for his own sacrifice, and even to his mother, he was obedient in the actions that transferred the inheritance of Ishmael to him. And in Jacob we see the work of perseverance and reconciliation. He labored for 14 years to Laban before Rachel was given to him in marriage. Upon his return home, scripture tells us of the trepidation that filled his heart in meeting his brother Esau, but also the humility that brought reconciliation to these brothers. As the Light of the Patriarchs, St. Joseph calls us and points us to look into their lives and see what is most meaningful and significant in them, which is the work and role that they played in bringing forward the salvation of the nations.
The second aspect of this title is a call to the Patriarchs, reminding us again of the long history of Salvation and the significance of these figures of the Old Testament in also leading us toward our God. We have the beautiful beginning of St. Matthew's Gospel which gives us the genealogy of Jesus and traces the lineage throughout the generations and each step along the way. Often times we may look at that and even gloss over the names until we can get to the actual beginning of the story, but each of the names mentioned had a specific and particular role in this line. It can remind us of their virtue and our companionship with them. At the time they lived, they likely did not know what their place had been. Even if their place was simply to be a link in the chain, to be the father or mother of the next generation, that was necessary work and invaluable contribution to the birth of the Son of God in the flesh.
We are familiar, of course, with the three most significant of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham gives us that model of faith and righteousness, but also called forward the mercy of God as he pleaded for the cause of the innocents who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. In Isaac, we have an image of the purity of heart and obedience. He was obedient to his father in carrying the wood that was to be used for his own sacrifice, and even to his mother, he was obedient in the actions that transferred the inheritance of Ishmael to him. And in Jacob we see the work of perseverance and reconciliation. He labored for 14 years to Laban before Rachel was given to him in marriage. Upon his return home, scripture tells us of the trepidation that filled his heart in meeting his brother Esau, but also the humility that brought reconciliation to these brothers. As the Light of the Patriarchs, St. Joseph calls us and points us to look into their lives and see what is most meaningful and significant in them, which is the work and role that they played in bringing forward the salvation of the nations.
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 SECOND SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE POVERTY OF JESUS' BIRTH (Lk 2:7)
O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, thy sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when you did hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night.
By this sorrow and this joy, we implore thee to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life’s pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor of celestial glory.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
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
THE SECOND SORROW OF ST. JOSEPH:
THE POVERTY OF JESUS' BIRTH (Lk 2:7)
O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, thy sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when you did hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night.
By this sorrow and this joy, we implore thee to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life’s pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor of celestial glory.
Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .
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