Ite ad Ioseph (Day 8)

“The silence of Saint Joseph is given a special emphasis. His silence is steeped in contemplation of the mystery of God in an attitude of total availability to divine desires. It is a silence thanks to which Joseph, in unison with Mary, watches over the Word of God, known through the Sacred Scriptures, continuously comparing it with the events of the life of Jesus; a silence woven of constant prayer, a prayer of blessing of the Lord, of the adoration of His holy will and of unreserved entrustment to his providence. It is no exaggeration to think that it was precisely from his "father" Joseph that Jesus learned-- at the human level--that steadfast interiority which is a presupposition of authentic justice... Let us allow ourselves to be ‘filled’ with Saint Joseph's silence! In a world that is often too noisy, that encourages neither recollection nor listening to God's voice.”
—Pope Benedict XVI (Angelus, 18 December 2005)

(Photo: Holy Family in St. Joseph's Workshop window, St. Joseph Church, Clayton, MO)

Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all
who love and venerate you. I have special confidence in you.
You are powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants.
I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me,
to your intercession. By the love you have for Jesus and Mary,
do not abandon me during life, and assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin,
Foster-father of Jesus Christ, obtain for me a pure, humble,
and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will.
Be my guide, my father, and my model through life
that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary
for my spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly the grace of a happy death,
and the special grace I now implore: (mention your request).
Guardian of the Word Incarnate,
I am confident that your prayers in my behalf
will be graciously heard before the throne of God.

MEMORARE
Remember, most pure spouse of Mary,
ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph,
that no one ever had recourse to your protection
or asked for your aid without obtaining relief.
Confiding, therefore, in your goodness,
I come before you and humbly implore you.
Despise not my petitions,foster-father of the Redeemer,
but graciously receive them.
Amen.