A Simple daily Consecration to St Joseph O St Joseph my Father and 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
For many, many years I cold never ever warm to St Joseph. Why not? Well perhaps because he always seemed such a Patriarchal Figure, old and with the long beard. What's wrong with that? Well on the one hand both my grandfathers were not good people, one was a bigamist who deserted my mother and the other was in a constant rage. My own father , while a good Catholic an father was strict and had a bad temper. On the other hand I adored my mother so Devotion to the Blessed virgin from early childhood was very natural and easy. But I knew I was failing badly in not having a loving Devotion to St Joseph. He was , after all the husband of Our Lady, specially chosen as father to Jesus. Also my great favourite Spiritual Teacher St Teresa of Avila had a huge devotion to St Joe so I knew there also I was missing out. So the years rolled on , all I could do was to pray for this True Devotion , to warm my cold heart. Then one morning a few years back I went to 7am mass in Clonard Monastery. After mass I did a little round of the side chapels as I usually do. Well to the left of the High Altar is a lite size statue and altar to St Joseph in beautiful gray marble. Let me see if I can post a picture of it below. I took this this morning after mass.
Anyway as I stood there the statue changed, became alive and there was St Joseph standing there looking down at me , with a gentle smile. The real living deal. Well he did not really look like the statue itself. He had a beard certainly , it was very rich and auburn with kind of goldish streaks. He seemed much younger . But it was not his outer appearance that struck , but, as with Our Lady when I saw her the inner self, the Spirit, the Soul. On the one hand Majesty and magnificence. You knew that this was one hugely, hugely holy guy indeed. But he held this sanctity so lightly. Totally, totally humble like meeting the guy next door. A childlike innocence and purity. Like looking at a glass of spring water. But such overwhelming kindness and sweetness, like meeting your best friend for the first time and knowing that you have been friends for ever. My heart just totally melted. He didn't speak a word. But he did not have to. But anyway that's how I came to have a Devotion to St Joseph.
Beautiful statue. I am convinced that it is Divine Providence that this year has been declared the year of St Joseph. We have much to learn from him. In the midst of the greatest spiritual battle - he is being sent - to assist us because he is the terror of demons. "Prayer to St. Joseph, Terror of Demons." Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast your solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions, and protect us with your mighty staff. You fled through the night to avoid the devil’s wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from you! Grant special protection, we pray, for children, fathers, families, for priests and religious and the dying. By God’s grace, no demon dares approach while you are near, so we beg of you, always be near to us! Amen."
You know I have never ever seen a statue or picture of St Joseph (or of Our Lady for that matter) that looks anything like them. In the case of St Joseph because he is so kind, so, simple , so approachable, so innocent, so childlike. So very, very warm and loving, so very,very loveable. I guess that's why the devil flees him. The devil looks at him and does not know what to make of him. He astonishes the devil. As well he might.
What an amazing blessing to see St. Joseph, and no coincidence that this happened when 2021 has been dedicated to this great saint. Honestly, If I ever saw a statue come to life I would probably faint!
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-st-joseph-247 Litany of St. Joseph Lord, have mercy on us Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us, Jesus, graciously hear us. God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. Renowned offspring of David, pray for us. Light of Patriarchs, pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us. Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us. Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us. Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. Joseph most just, pray for us. Joseph most chaste, pray for us. Joseph most prudent, pray for us. Joseph most strong, pray for us. Joseph most obedient, pray for us. Joseph most faithful, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Lover of poverty, pray for us. Model of artisans, pray for us. Glory of home life, pray for us. Guardian of virgins, pray for us. Pillar of families, pray for us. Solace of the wretched, pray for us. Hope of the sick, pray for us. Patron of the dying, pray for us. Terror of demons, pray for us. Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus. He made him the lord of his household And prince over all his possessions. Let us pray: O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased 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 on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Funny I was listening to a description the other day of Our Lady appearing at La Salette and the two children were described as being very afraid. This initial reaction is also described at other Marian Sites. Which is why the very first words out of Our Lady's lips are, 'Do not be afraid!' Even at the Resurrection Mary Magdalen mistook Jesus for a gardener. She seemed unable to process what was happening. Also at the Annunciation the Arcangel Gabriel said to Mary 'Be not afraid' 9 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, It reminds me of the Words of Scripture, 'The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.'
I was wondering what lay behind the Holy Father's decision to dedicate a Year to St Joseph? It seems so counter cultural to all he is doing and has done in his Pontificate. If he had dedicated a year to say Climate Change, or Social Inclusion or say, Year of Immigrants I would not have been the least surprised...but a year to St Joseph is a real curve ball. A wonderful curve ball, yes, but still a real curve ball. So unexpected and outside his usual bowling form. So we are left guessing. Who knows? But I wonder if....this is a wild guess, if St Joseph of some other heavenly visitor has appeared to some seer of the Holy Father himself directly and requested this? I know its a wild guess , but it do wonder. Anyway it is a huge gift to the Church which I delight in. I must try and but a good St Joseph Statue or picture or icon for my house if I can find one, to celebrate. What a wonderful surprise.
You are so spot on Padraig. I was amazed when I saw the Holy Father has dedicated the New Year to Saint Joseph. It started on 8th December it appears. It made me so happy, like the Pope is a Catholic after all. We have to keep watch and pray.
Revealed: Fr. Donald Calloway’s Hand-Delivered Letter to Pope Requesting Year of St. Joseph https://www.churchpop.com/2020/12/1...-letter-to-pope-requesting-year-of-st-joseph/
Father Calloway has gotten old looking. It makes me feel a zillion years old when I see his picture. I easily recall him as a young man. Perhaps some people may be unfamiliar with his mind blowing story? So clever to get an Argentine Bishop to slip this letter in directly. Clever, clever clever. Fr Calloway's book has to be my very next read.
A funny thing just happened to me. When I first heard about the year of St Joseph being declared, I was reminded of a dream I had years ago which I posted about here at the time. In it, I was in a ship during a storm (I think, an obvious symbol for the Church and the current "storm"). There weren't many people on the ship but everyone was very frightened and cowering below deck with fear - I remember I was curled up around my son trying to protect him. Suddenly the ship lurched sideways, like it was taking a sharp turn. We went up on deck and the captain was announcing that they had changed the sails and the ship was now working with the wind instead of against it (wind = Holy Spirit?). The captain was a young man who seemed very brave and commanded great trust and respect. Suddenly the wind caught hold of the sails and there was a huge surge of speed, the ship seemed to almost fly through the storm, towards safety. I never forgot that dream or the great sense of consolation it gave me. So when I heard about this year being dedicated to St Joseph, I wondered if maybe the captain in the dream represented St Joseph. So I went to look to see if I had written down the dream in a folder on my laptop where I keep prayers and sometimes write down dreams. The first item in the folder was this below - I have no recollection of ever seeing it before or saving it, but the imagery seemed so similar that it felt like a confirmation: Two Fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, when a terrible tempest arose, which sank the vessel, with its three hundred passengers. The two Fathers had sufficient presence of mind to seize hold of a plank, upon which they were tossed to and fro upon the waves, for three days and nights. In their danger and affliction, their whole recourse was to St. Joseph, begging his assistance in their sad condition. The Saint, thus invoked, appeared in the habit of a young man of beautiful features, encouraged them to confide in his assistance, and, as their pilot, conducted them into a safe harbor. They, desirous to know who their benefactor was asked his name, that they might gratefully acknowledge so great a blessing and favor. He told them he was St. Joseph, and advised them daily to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary seven times, in memory of his seven dolors or griefs, and of his seven joys, and then disappeared. Prayer: (Recite one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be after each number) 1. St. JOSEPH, Chaste Spouse of the Holy Mother of God, by the SORROW with which your heart was pierced at the yought of a cruel separation from Mary, and by the deep JOY that you didst feel when the angel revealed to you the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, obtain for us from Jesus and Mary, the grace of surmounting all anxiety. Win for us from the Adorable Heart of Jesus the unspeakable peace of which He is the Eternal Source. 2. St. JOSEPH, Foster-Father of Jesus, by the bitter SORROW which your heart experienced in seeing the Child Jesus lying in a manger, and by the JOY which you didst feel in seeing the Wise men recognize and adore Him as their God, obtain by your prayers that our heart, purified by your protection, may become a living crib, where the Savior of the world may receive and bless our homage. 3. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW with which your heart was pierced at the sight of the Blood which flowed from the Infant Jesus in the Circumcision, and by the JOY that inundated your soul at your privilege of imposing the sacred and mysterious Name of Jesus, obtain for us that the merits of this Precious Blood may be applied to our souls, and that the Divine Name of Jesus may be engraved forever in our hearts. 4. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW when the Lord declared that the soul of Mary would be pierced with a sword of sorrow, and by your JOY when holy Simeon added that the Divine Infant was to be the resurrection of many, obtain for us the grace to have compassion on the sorrows of Mary, and share in the salvation which Jesus brought to the earth. 5. St. JOSEPH, by your SORROW when told to fly into Egypt, and by your JOY in seeing the idols overthrown at the arrival of the living God, grant that no idol of earthly affection may any longer occupy our hearts, but being like you entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary, we may live and happily die for them alone. 6. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW of your heart caused by the fear of the tyrant Archelaus and by the JOY in sharing the company of Jesus and Mary at Nazareth, obtain for us, that disengaged from all fear, we may enjoy the peace of a good conscience and may live in security, in union with Jesus and Mary, experiencing the effect of your salutary assistance at the hour of our death. 7. St. JOSEPH, by the bitter SORROW with which the loss of the Child Jesus crushed your heart, and by the holy JOY which inundated your soul in recovering your Treasure on entering the Temple, we supplicate you not to permit us to lose our Saviour Jesus by sin. Yet, should this misfortune befall us, grant that we may share your eagerness in seeking Him, and obtain for us the grace to find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass from this life to enjoy His presence in heaven, there to sing with you His divine mercies forever. Let Us Pray O God, Who in Your ineffable Providence has vouchsafed to choose Blessed Joseph to be the Spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beseech You, that we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector: Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
"Copied from Adoramus post above. Two Fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, when a terrible tempest arose, which sank the vessel, with its three hundred passengers. The two Fathers had sufficient presence of mind to seize hold of a plank, upon which they were tossed to and fro upon the waves, for three days and nights. In their danger and affliction, their whole recourse was to St. Joseph, begging his assistance in their sad condition. The Saint, thus invoked, appeared in the habit of a young man of beautiful features, encouraged them to confide in his assistance, and, as their pilot, conducted them into a safe harbor. They, desirous to know who their benefactor was asked his name, that they might gratefully acknowledge so great a blessing and favor. He told them he was St. Joseph, and advised them daily to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary seven times, in memory of his seven dolors or griefs, and of his seven joys, and then disappeared." Dear Saint Joseph, looking forward to celebrating and honouring your awesome life and work in the service of the Most High for the coming year. Please pray and intercede for our poor world, our Holy Father and the people of the United Sates of America. Saint Joseph pray for us, and may God bless you.
Wonderful video, all about St Joseph and this year, explains indulgences and so much more. A must watch.
“Whereas Adam and Eve were the source of evil which was unleashed on the world, Joseph and Mary are the summit from which holiness spreads all over the earth.” Pope St. John Paul II
