Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis!‏

"Joseph, your admirable life took place in poverty,

but you contemplated the beautiful life of Jesus and Mary.

The Son of God, in his childhood,

often happily submitted to your authority and rested on your heart.

Like you, we too strive to serve Mary and Jesus in solitude: pleasing them is our only aim. We desire nothing more."

St. Therese Lisieux

St. Joseph

Just a reminder...

If you are praying a novena to St. Joseph, then today is the day to start!

St. Joseph the Worker

BD has been reminding me of his upcoming birthday, such as "Remember it's my day, not Joseph's." He believes that Joseph should only have one feast day. I suppose that he has a point. May Day, or International Labor Day, was instituted in 1889 in recognition of the basic rights of workers. The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was promulgated by Pope Pius XII in 1955. This feast was added to the calendar on May 1st to counter the Communist May Day celebration that day, by offering a Christian view of labor, and prime example in the husband of Mary. By commemorating St. Joseph as a carpenter, we exemplify the working people who are dignified by their labor and who bring Christ into their workplace. It aims to inspire all workmen by giving them a model and a protector. Pope John Paul II said, “The Church regards St. Joseph as the patron of workers because of his hard manual labor to provide for his family. His solemnity is an occasion to reflect on the importance of work in the life of man, the family, and the community.”

Last Sunday BD asked outright what I was making for his birthday. I laughed and then asked what he wanted. He has not stated any preference, so I'm free to do what I want. First he says surprise me, then he asks me to tell him. At one point he questioned whether he'd eaten anything I'd baked before. I reminded him of Pi Day, and he said "Oh, yeah, that was good." Guys can be so odd--asking me to bake, then questioning my skills. Sheesh. He'll have to wait until tomorrow when we can celebrate belatedly. Cake for breakfast, yum.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 9)

"In truth, the dignity of the Mother of God is so lofty that naught created can rank above it. But as Joseph has been united to the Blessed Virgin by the ties of marriage, it may not be doubted that he approached nearer than any to the eminent dignity by which the Mother of God surpasses so nobly all created natures. For marriage is the most intimate of all unions which from its essence imparts a community of gifts between those that by it are joined together. Thus in giving Joseph the Blessed Virgin as spouse, God appointed him to be not only her life's companion, the witness of her maidenhood, the protector of her honor, but also, by virtue of the conjugal tie, a participator in her sublime dignity. And Joseph shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men. And Joseph shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men. Hence it came about that the Word of God was humbly subject to Joseph, that He obeyed him, and that He rendered to him all those offices that children are bound to render to their parents. From this two-fold dignity flowed the obligation which nature lays upon the head of families, so that Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was. And during the whole course of his life he fulfilled those charges and those duties."

--Pope Leo XIII (Quamquam Pluries, 15 August 1889)

(Photo: Marriage of Mary and Joseph 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.

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 7)

“Those persons who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner always have great devotion to St. Joseph, for I know not how anyone can think of the Queen of Angels during the time that she suffered so much with the Infant Jesus without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the assistance he rendered to them then. He who cannot find anyone to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious Saint for his guide, and he will not lose his way.”

—St. Theresa of Avila (Autobiography, VI, 12)

(Photo: Relic of St. Joseph)

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 6)

"Joseph, [Mary's] husband . . . was an upright man."

—Mt 1:19

(Raffaello Santi's Holy Famliy with Palm Trees, National Gallery of Scottland)

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 5)

“Some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.”

—St. Thomas Aquinas

(photo: St. Joseph's altar, Cathedral Basilca of St. Louis, Easter 2007)

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 4)

“I took for my patron and lord the glorious St. Joseph, and recommended myself earnestly to him. I saw clearly that both out of this my present trouble, and out of others of greater importance, relating to my honor and the loss of my soul, this my father and lord delivered me, and rendered me greater services than I knew how to ask for. I cannot call to mind that I have ever asked him at any time for anything which he has not granted; and I am filled with amazement when I consider the great favors which God has given me through this blessed Saint; the dangers from which he has delivered me, both of body and of soul.”
—St. Theresa of Avila (Autobiography, VI, 9)

(photo: St. Joseph's altar detail, Holy Rosary, Belfast)

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 3)

“To other Saints Our Lord seems to have given power to succor us in some special necessity—but to this glorious Saint, I know by experience, He has given the power to help us in all. Our Lord would have us understand that as He was subject to St. Joseph on earth—for St. Joseph, bearing the title of father and being His guardian, could command Him—so now in Heaven Our Lord grants all his petitions. I have asked others to recommend themselves to St. Joseph, and they, too, know the same thing by experience . . .”

—St. Theresa of Avila (Autobiography, VI, 9)

(photo: St. Joseph altar at Holy Rosary, Belfast)

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 2)

“Of old it was said to the needy and suffering people in the kingdom of Egypt: ‘Go to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you.’ (Gen. 41:55).

The same is now said by the Sovereign Pontiff to all needy and suffering people in the kingdom of the Church: GO TO JOSEPH… What was truly said of the first Joseph, as to his future, and as to his goodness, his chastity, his patience, his wisdom, his influence with the king, his power over the people, and his love for his brethren, is verified much more perfectly, even to this day, in the second JOSEPH.”

—Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (Archbishop of Westminster)

(photo: St. Joseph's altar, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Easter 2008)

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.

Ite ad Ioseph (Day 1)

The principal feast day of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on March 19th. Today is the day to begin a novena to him in order to have it end the day before his feast.

(photo: St. Joseph's altar, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Easter 2008)

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.