NV-St Joseph

NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH
Feast Day March 19th & May 1st (St. Joseph the Workman)

What is a Novena?
A novena is a traditional devotion consisting of specific prayers recited on nine successive days. Besides being a form of praise, a novena is frequently offered for a particular intention. The first novena took place in the Cenacle, during the nine days preceding Pentecost, or the coming of the Holy Ghost. As a regular popular custom, this practice began in 12th century Christianity and continues to be beneficial today as a way of praying for healing, protection or other blessings for ourselves or others.

This particular novena is prayed to God in honor of St. Joseph, one of greatest saints to have lived, yet one of the least known saints--at least as regards Holy Scripture and other historical documentation. March 19th is the main feast of St. Joseph, and May 1st is a more recent feast day that celebrates St. Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph is arguably, after Our Lady, the greatest saint of God. The purpose of this novena is to try to help us uncover the humility, faithfulness and charity of St. Joseph, which led him to live such a humble, self-effacing, God-fearing and God-loving life.

In praying this Novena, as in the case of all prayer, it is good to begin by opening ourselves wholeheartedly to God's will, offering a simple act of trust in God's wisdom and in His providential love for us all, that disposes all things for the ultimate benefit of our souls and their salvation--an attitude that we find epitomized in St. Joseph, who should be our model of both sanctity, fidelity to God's Providence and a model of devotion to Mary.

How to Pray This Novena
This novena is based on upon the life of St. Joseph as seen in Holy Scripture, in Private Revelation and in the writings of the saints and theologians. Each day of the novena is divided into the following parts:
(1) a quote from Holy Scripture that pertains to St. Joseph or to the Old Testament figures or types of St. Joseph;. (2) an excerpt from the life of St. Joseph taken from a combination of theological authors and private revelation; (3) a Meditation on the readings; (4) a Prayer followed by (5) the mentioning your intention, (6) after which you will pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary; (7) a Closing Prayer.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, 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 (after each line)
Saint 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 wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of His house:
R. And ruler of all His substance.

Let us pray.
O God, who in Thine unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thine own most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in Heaven, whom we reverence as our defender on Earth: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

St. Teresa of Avila once suggested famously that although we may have access to many saints as intercessors for our various needs, we should “go especially to Joseph, for he has great power with God.” In praying this litany of St. Joseph we are indeed going to the patron saint and “protector” of the Universal Church!

FIRST DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: The Humility and Anonymity of St. Joseph

Holy Scripture
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16).

The Life of St. Joseph
Since March 19th is the principal feast of St. Joseph, though we also celebrate St. Joseph the Worker on May 1st, and since he is second to none but Our Lady (and arguably St. John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said: “there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist”), we will spend a few days looking at this great saint of God. St. Joseph is generally overlooked and all focus is on Jesus and on Mary. Surely, St. Joseph is a secondary figure in the life of Jesus and rightly so; however, how much information about the life of St. Joseph do we really know?

The chief sources of information on the life of St. Joseph are the first chapters of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke; they are, practically speaking, the only reliable sources, for, though the apocryphal literature is full of details, the non-admittance of these works into the Canon of the Sacred Books casts a strong suspicion upon their contents; and, even though it may be readily granted that some of the facts recorded by them may be founded on trustworthy traditions, it is in most instances next to impossible to discern and sift these particles of true history from the legends with which they are associated. Among these apocryphal writings of St. Joseph’s life are the so-called “Gospel of James”, the “Pseudo-Matthew”, the “Gospel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary”, the “Story of Joseph the Carpenter”, and the “Life of the Virgin and Death of Joseph.”

There are also accounts of life of St. Joseph amongst the revelations made to the saints and the mystics, these are of some value, but they are by no means a guarantee of fact and certitude—although they are probably nearer to the mark than many of the assumptions made by scholars based on vague and sometimes contentious historical data. We will refer to these in the next articles after presenting a ‘dry-bones’ skeleton outline of St. Joseph as we can know and deduce from Holy Scripture. So, here are ‘bones’ of St. Joseph.

Who is He?
Who is St. Joseph? Second only to Mary, St. Joseph is the person that spent the most earthly hours and days with Jesus. The names of his mother and father have been lost to history – unknown. Genealogy research shows he was of the house of David, lineage through Solomon. St. Matthew (1:16) calls St. Joseph the son of Jacob; according to St. Luke (3:23), Heli was his father. This is not the place to recite the many and most various endeavors to solve the vexing questions arising from the divergences between both genealogies; nor is it necessary to point out the explanation which meets best all the requirements of the problem; it is sufficient, in this brief examination of St. Joseph, to remind ourselves that most modern writers readily admit that in both St. Matthew’s and St. Luke’s seemingly different genealogies of Joseph, it is quite possible to reconcile their data.

Where Did He Come From?
Bethlehem, the city of David and his descendants, appears to have been the birthplace of Joseph. When, however, the Gospel history opens, namely, a few months before the Annunciation, Joseph was settled at Nazareth. Why and when he left his birthplace to go to Galilee is not known from the Gospels; some suppose—and this is by no means improbable—that the then-moderate circumstances of the family and the necessity of earning a living may have brought about the change.

What Did He Do?
St. Joseph, indeed, was a “tekton”, as we learn from Matthew 13:55, and Mark 6:3. The word means both mechanic in general and carpenter in particular; St. Justin vouches for the latter sense, and tradition has accepted this interpretation, which is followed in the English Bible.

Meditation
There is nothing "flashy" or "outstanding" or "attention grabbing" about St. Joseph―with no disrespect, you could say he was just a normal guy, someone who blended into the crowd, who did not stand out or shine out from the "crowd". This, should be a great consolation to everyone―especially those who think sanctity is all about fame, renown, performing miracles, levitating, reading minds, making prophecies, etc.

What a joy and consolation to know that a "hum-drum" life produced a great saint―someone who was "bit-part-player" who was not given a script and had no lines to learn, remember and utter―for Holy Scripture does not record one single word of St. Joseph's. It is not that he was dumb and unable to speak―it is just that God preferred one His greatest saints to play a secondary, seemingly silent role in the plan of the Incarnation and Redemption. He would not even see the Passion and Death of Christ alongside his spouse, Mary, for God would pull him out of the scene by scripting a death for him many years beforehand.

The Gospels are very clear that Joseph is not the father of the Lord Jesus. The child born of the Virgin Mary is God and has no earthly father. The body of Christ's human nature is created by what the Scriptures describe as "the power of the Holy Spirit." If this explanation confounds us, we are rightly confounded. Even St. Joseph was confounded when he saw Mary was with Child! Whose Child? How? Why? When? All these thoughts must have crossed Joseph's mind and must have been a severe temptation to him in trying to make him doubt the integrity and purity of Mary, his spouse. Christ is like us inasmuch as he shares with us a human nature and lives a real human life. And yet, Christ is unlike us inasmuch as he is the singular instance in which a divine nature and a human nature share communion in a divine person.

Simply expressed, Christ is God and man. It is because of Christ's willingness to accept a human nature with all its limitations that we are able to participate in his divine nature. This participation, a gift given to us by Christ, is the most profound mystery of the Faith. The mind can apprehend this mysterious revelation, even appreciate the "why" of it, but cannot fully understand the "how" of it all.

We can imagine that Joseph himself did not fully understand the circumstances surrounding Christ's conception and birth, but he was able to love what he did not fully understand. It is in this love that both his faith and his sanctity are revealed. To St. Joseph could be applied the words that Our Lord would later address to St. Thomas (Thomas the Doubting Apostle) ―“Blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed!” (John 20:29). In this case, “Blessed art thou Joseph, who did not understand, yet still believed!” In today’s modern world, we want answers for everything, we want to know everything, even things that are none of our business! O if we only had the attitude of humble St. Joseph, faithful St. Joseph, non-inquisitive St. Joseph, obedient St. Joseph!

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

SECOND DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Head of the Holy Family, But the Least Holy Within the Family

Holy Scripture
“So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

The Life of St. Joseph
The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment: he was a “just” man. The quality meant a lot more than faithfulness in paying debts.

When the Bible speaks of God “justifying” someone, it means that God, the all-holy or “righteous” one, so transforms a person that the individual shares somehow in God’s own holiness, and hence it is really “right” for God to love him or her. In other words, God is not playing games, acting as if we were lovable when we are not.

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God.

The rest we can easily surmise. Think of the kind of love with which he wooed and won Mary, and the depth of the love they shared during their marriage.

It is no contradiction of Joseph’s manly holiness that he decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child. The important words of the Bible are that he planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame” (Matthew 1:19).

The just man was simply, joyfully, wholeheartedly obedient to God—in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the precious pair to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, in the undetermined number of years of quiet faith and courage.

Meditation
There was a certain difference in the graces given to St. Joseph and those granted to other saints; for many saints were endowed with graces and gifts that are intended, not for the increase of their own sanctity, but for the advance of the service of the Most High in other souls; they were, so to say, gifts and graces freely given, and not dependent upon the holiness of the receiver. But in St. Joseph, all the divine favors were productive of personal virtue and perfection; for the mysterious purpose, toward which they tended and helped along, was closely connected with the holiness of his own life. The more angelic and holy he grew to be, so much the more worthy was he to be the spouse of most holy Mary, the depository and treasure-house of heavenly sacraments. He was to be a miracle of holiness, as he really was.

Yet, despite his great holiness, Joseph was the least holiest member of the Holy Family! Our Lord and Our Lady outshone him holiness like the sun outshines a candle. Nevertheless, Joseph was made to be head of the Holy Family. The words of Holy Scripture come to mind here, where it says: "The first shall be last, and the last shall be first!" (Matthew 19:30; Luke 12:20). Jesus was infinitely holier than both Mary and Joseph and Jesus was in last place--being obedient to both of them!

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

THIRD DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Humble, Holy, Hidden

Holy Scripture
“So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

The Life of St. Joseph
St. Joseph truly is the silent figure of the New Testament. For instance, the Gospel does not record one spoken verse for St. Joseph. Nevertheless, what this great saint did in his life for God speaks volumes. To appreciate him and his role in salvation, we need to glean the Gospels.

St. Joseph was “of the house and lineage of David” (Luke 2:4). Because of this ancestry, St. Joseph is the linkage between the old covenant made with Abraham and Moses, and the new, perfect, and everlasting covenant which will be made through the blood of Jesus. He brings to a close the notion of the Patriarch’s promised land and King David’s established kingdom, and prepares the way for Jesus, the Messiah, who will establish the new Kingdom of God and the new Promised Land– not a kingdom of land, castles, and armies, but one that is within oneself of shared life with the Lord, lived now and fulfilled in Heaven.

St. Matthew identifies Joseph was “an upright man.” The original text uses the word just or righteous, which better reflects that he lived by God’s standard, keeping the commandments and emulating God’s love.

St. Joseph first appears in the Gospel infancy narratives. While St. Luke’s Gospel focuses on the annunciation to Mary, St. Matthew’s Gospel focuses on St. Joseph. Here St. Joseph was engaged to Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant. Remember that in Jewish society, when a couple became formally engaged declaring their intent before two witnesses, they were considered married as husband and wife. After one year usually, the groom went to the home of the bride with great ceremony and brought her to his own home where they consummated the marriage and lived together as husband and wife. (This tradition is the basis for the parable of the five foolish bridesmaids (Matthew 25)).

Since St. Joseph did not yet know God’s plan but knew his wife was pregnant not by himself, the Gospel reads that he “decided to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). According to the Torah laws, St. Joseph could have had Mary stoned to death for infidelity (cf. Deuteronomy 22). If St. Joseph knew Mary was pregnant, did the town gossip circle also notice? One can only wonder what shame and hurt he must have felt. How his heart must have been broken!

Nevertheless, the Angel of the Lord appeared to St. Joseph in a dream, revealed to him that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and commanded that he take Mary as his wife and Jesus as his own Son. Without question or hesitation, St. Joseph did as the angel commanded. Here again, we see the important role of Joseph: He is to take Jesus as his own Son and to name Him, thereby giving Him legal recognition as a legal person who legally belonged to a family.

Some individuals have speculated that St. Joseph knew that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and thereby felt unworthy, even afraid, to marry her and accept this responsibility; therefore, he decided to divorce her quietly. However, why then would the angel later tell St. Joseph in the dream that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit? The traditional understanding is still the best one.

St. Joseph fulfilled his obligations courageously. Throughout the gospel he faithfully and unquestioningly obeyed the commands of God: taking his family to the safety of Egypt to flee the wrath of King Herod; returning to Nazareth; presenting his child in the Temple for circumcision and formal presentation; and traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

He accepted the responsibility of his vocation– being the faithful spouse and father. He provided the best he could for his family, whether that meant the stable in Bethlehem or the home in Nazareth. Although the Gospels recount hardly any information about the Holy Family’s life in Nazareth, they were people of modest means: When St. Joseph and Mary present Jesus at the Temple, they offer two turtle doves as a sacrifice, an exception made for poorer families who could not afford the usual offering of a lamb.

To provide for his family, St. Joseph worked as a carpenter. The original word in the gospel is tekton, which means “craftsman” or “artisan,” thereby suggesting that he could well have been a builder of homes as well as a carpenter. As a good Jewish father, St. Joseph passed this trade onto his Son, and indeed Jesus is known as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55) and “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3).

Although St. Joseph was not the physical father of Jesus, he was a father in every other sense of the word. Again, as a good Jewish father, he was responsible for the religious education of his Son, including teaching Him to read the Sacred Scriptures. St. Joseph must have been a fine, masculine example for Jesus considering that God, the Father, had entrusted His Son to his care.

Finally, Jesus must have loved and respected St. Joseph and Mary very much, for the Gospel reads, after the finding in the Temple, Jesus returned to Nazareth and “was obedient to them” (Luke 2:51). In all, he selflessly set aside his own needs for the good of his family.

Meditation

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

FOURTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Courage Facing the Unknown

Holy Scripture
“When His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: ‘Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son: and thou shalt call His Name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:18-21).

The Life of St. Joseph
St. Matthew, in his Gospel, tells us that Joseph was a “just man” (1:19), meaning a “righteous man.” However, Joseph’s “righteousness” would create problems for Mary. This is because Joseph had to deal with the unknown cause of Mary’s pregnancy―and, because of the demands of righteousness―as practiced by the Jewish law and custom―he was supposed to denounce Mary, his spouse to be, as an adulteress, and to “put her aside” as was said. However, this risked Mary being stoned to death by the demands of Jewish law (something that was commanded by God Himself). Joseph, faced with the unknown, seeing Mary pregnant, not being the cause of it, but unable to bring himself to believe that Mary would commit adultery, Joseph chose to bravely go against this aspect of the Jewish law and, even though he was prepared to renounce his betrothal, he preferred to quietly “put her aside” without telling anyone, without denouncing her, and simply disappear from the scene. “Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately” (Matthew 1:19).

We all know the story of what happened after Joseph had taken this resolution. “While he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep” (Matthew 1:20). An angelic visitor arriving in a dream and straightens him out, and the angel of his dream even gives Joseph the Name by which he is to name the Child. Yeshua in Hebrew, Jesus as it gets translated, “God is our salvation,” or “Savior” for short.

Poor humble Joseph gets the short end of the angelic stick! As far as visits from angels go, Joseph gets humbled and is made to look inconsequential in comparison to other angelic visits concerning Jesus and the persons connected with Him. Compared to the others in the Nativity story, Joseph gets a second-class deal!

When it came time to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist, Zachary gets a visit from an archangel, no less than Gabriel himself, who tells Zachary that he, Gabriel himself, “stands in the presence of God” and was specifically told to deliver the message to Zachary. So Gabriel shows himself to be of a pretty high rank! When it came time to assign Mary’s role in the salvation of the world, once more, it is the Archangel Gabriel who declares her pregnancy is by God’s desire, through the Holy Spirit. Even hired shepherds outside Bethlehem get a better deal than Joseph. They see a host of angels singing God’s praises! But Joseph; what does Joseph get? Joseph gets some “no-name angel” and not even a “real-time” “face-to-face” visit. It is only the virtual reality of a dream. No high-ranking angel, he merely gets what amounts to a whisper in his ear from lower-echelon angel.

Meditation
You would think that if God loved Joseph so much, then God would at least tell Joseph what was going to be happening to Mary way before the divine pregnancy took place, so as avoid Joseph's obvious consternation, anxiety, fears and temptations to rash judgement, and prevent any danger of Mary being stoned to death as an adulteress! But it seems that God does not operate like that. God says: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the Heavens are exalted above the Earth, so are My ways exalted above your ways, and My thoughts above your thoughts!" (Isaias 55:8-9). Furthermore, God tells His recruits: “Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation!” Ecclesiasticus 2:1). Those words seem to tailor-made or cut-to-size for the humble carpenter St. Joseph. He didn’t know what on earth was going on and he was sorely tempted! Joseph was also afraid―for we read in Holy Scripture that the angel says to him: “Fear not!” (Matthew 1:20). The angel wouldn’t have said that unless there was plenty to fear.

“Righteous” Joseph had made up his mind in accordance with Jewish law as much as he could―he only balked at publically denouncing Mary. This “angelic dream” calls for a major change to his “righteous” plans. Let us not forget that these “righteous” plans were in accordance with God’s will―for many of these Jewish laws had been created by God Himself. He is now having to weigh-up in his mind and balance one against the other―the law of God against these commands from a mere dream that seem to be from an angel of God, but he cannot be sure of that.

If a betrothed woman became pregnant, it was regarded as adultery, if not harlotry. Deuteronomy spells it out. If a spouse be accused of adultery and “if what he charged her with be true, and virginity be not found in the damsel: they shall cast her out of the doors of her father's house, and the men of the city shall stone her to death, and she shall die: because she hath done a wicked thing in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: and thou shalt take away the evil out of the midst of thee!” (Deuteronomy 22:20-21). Joseph risks compromising his “righteousness” and breaking Jewish law for a dream. He does not put Mary aside quietly or any other way. Here is a “righteous” man by religious law and Jewish custom. For a woman, and for a child not his own, on the word of an anonymous angel, he discards his righteousness according to the law. This he tosses this aside for an uncertain, if not perilous future.

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

FIFTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Poor in Riches, Rich in Virtues

Holy Scripture
“And He spoke a similitude to them, saying: ‘The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: “What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?” And he said: “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. And I will say to my soul: ‘Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer!’” But God said to him: “Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?” So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God!’” (Luke 12:16-21).

“Then Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!’” (Matthew 19:23-24).

The Life of St. Joseph
Our Lady speaks of the poverty of St. Joseph and herself to the Venerable Mary of Agreda:

How many men are not fascinated by their unbounded greed? All of them ordinarily stake their hopes on gold and material riches; and in order to increase them, they exert all the forces of their natural being. Thus they spend all the time of their life, which was given them in order to gain eternal rest and happiness, in these vanities. They lose themselves in these dark labyrinths and mazes, as if they knew nothing of God and of His Providence; for they do not think of asking Him for that which they desire, and do not moderate their desires in such a way as will dispose them to ask and hope for what they desire at His hands. Thus they lose all, because they confide in the lying and deceitful prospects of their own efforts. This blind greed is the root of all evils (1 Timothy 6:20); for the Lord, incensed at such great perversity, permits the mortals to be entangled in the vile slavery of avarice, in which their understanding is darkened and their will hardened.

I and my holy spouse Joseph were poor, and at times we suffered great wants; but none of them were powerful enough to engender within our hearts the contagion of avarice. We concerned ourselves entirely with the glory of the Most High, relying wholly on His most faithful and tender care. This was what pleased Him so much, as thou hast understood and written; since He supplied our wants in various manners, even commanding the angels to help us and prepare for us our nourishment.

My most holy Son is such a faithful Lover of souls that He hast set me as the teacher and living example of the love of humility and true contempt of worldly vanity and pride. He ordained also for His own glory as well as for my sake that I, His Servant and Mother, should be left without shelter and be turned away by mortals, in order that afterwards His beloved souls might be so much the more readily induced to offer Him a welcome, thus obliging Him, by an artifice of love, to come and remain with them. He also sought destitution and poverty, not because He had any need of them for bringing the practice of virtues to the highest perfection, but in order to teach mortals the shortest and surest way for reaching the heights of divine love and union with God.

Meditation
Where were you born? If Joseph had a lot of money, you can bet Jesus would not have been born in an animals pen. What kind of car do you drive? Joseph and Mary went with Jesus to Egypt on a donkey or ass. How much education do you have? Joseph and Mary and Jesus only studied Scripture and had no university degree. What kind of work do you do? Joseph and Jesus were known as carpenters, manual laborers. What neighborhood do you live in? Jesus said he did not have a place to lay His head.

The only thing, and not your money, not your education, not your car, not your neighborhood, is in what condition is you soul. Are you going to Heaven or Hell. That is what really matters! There is nothing wrong with being rich (even though Holy Scripture says, “Woe to you Rich”). But what is wrong with riches is not using them for God’s Kingdom.

It is dangerous to be rich because we will be responsible for ever cent we have. It is dangerous, because we see people who continually look down on the poor without helping them. Most Catholics would probably not move over for Joseph or Mary or Jesus in their church pew, because they are more important because what they own or how long they have sat in that pew. Let us be humble and use what we have for God’s greater glory.

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

SIXTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Joseph Flees to Fight Another Day

Holy Scripture
“Behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: ‘Arise, and take the Child and His Mother, and flee into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee! For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him!’ Who arose, and took the Child and His Mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod, so that it might be fulfilled, which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: ‘Out of Egypt have I called My son!’ Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: ‘A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not!’” (Matthew 2:13-18).

The Life of St. Joseph
The following is the account of the flight into Egypt from the book, The Life of Mary As Seen By The Mystics

That night, while Joseph was sleeping, an angel in the radiant form of a young man appeared in his room and said to him: "Arise, and take the Child and His Mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I tell thee. For Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him!" Taking Joseph by the hand, the angel raised him up, and vanished. As St. Joseph dressed hurriedly, he was greatly worried for Mary's sake and for the safety of the Child Jesus. He said to her anxiously:
"My Lady, God wills that we should be tried further, for His holy angel has announced to me that we must flee to Egypt with the Child, because Herod is planning to take His life. Prepare yourself, my dear wife, to bear the hardships of the journey, and tell me what I can do to alleviate them."
"My husband and master,' replied Mary calmly, "if we have received from God such great blessings and graces, it is fitting that we should joyfully accept temporal suffering. Wherever we go, we carry Our Lord with us, and He is our comfort and our country. So let us proceed to fulfill His holy Will."

After St. Joseph had hurriedly packed their few belongings on the donkey that had traveled with them from Nazareth, the Holy Family left Jerusalem shortly before midnight on their long and dangerous trip to Egypt. The Holy Family journeyed southward. The Holy Family spent their first night in a cave in the hills south of Bethlehem, off the regular caravan route. They were thirsty and exhausted. Late the next day, as they were crossing the desert near Hebron, they ran out of water, and both Mary and Joseph suffered keenly from thirst. Then the Holy Family set out on the long and difficult journey across the great desert between Palestine and Egypt.

While it was still dark, they had to pass through a stretch of ground infested with many dangerous snakes which slithered toward them and reared up, hissing menacingly, but did not harm them. During the first night in the desert the Holy Family rested at the foot of a small sand dune. After they had eaten and after Mary had nursed her Babe, St. Joseph made a sort of tent with his cloak and some sticks in order to protect the Mother and Child from the wind, and he slept near them on the ground, resting his head on the sack that contained their belongings. Mary now perceived that Jesus was offering up to His Father all their hardships, and she did likewise, praying with Him and with her angels most of the night.

Within a few days the poor travelers had exhausted all their small provisions of fruit and bread and water, although they tried to make their supply last longer by not eating several times until nine o'clock at night. And while they were thus suffering from hunger and thirst and fatigue, a strong wind and sandstorm arose. During the long journey, while Mary walked or rode on the donkey, always holding her divine Son in her arms, she often thanked Him for having made her His Mother. At other times St. Joseph would talk with Mary, frequently asking her what he could do for her or Jesus. Sometimes he would humbly and devoutly kiss the feet of the divine Child and take Him in his arms and beg Him for His blessing. Thus the Holy Family passed the ten days of their flight across the barren desert, consoling and cheering one another in mutual kindness and love.

One evening the Holy Family arrived at the camp of some highway robbers, who were at first inclined to treat them cruelly. But when the leader looked at the Infant ' Jesus, somehow his hard heart was deeply touched, and he ordered his men not to harm the travelers. Taking them into his hut, he had his wife give them some food and settle them comfortably in a corner.

At Mary's request the woman brought her a large container filled with water, in which the Blessed Virgin gave her Son a bath and washed His swaddling clothes. Meanwhile the chief robber said to his wife:
"That is no ordinary child - He is a holy Baby. Ask His Mother to let you bathe our leprous son in the water she has used. Perhaps it will heal him. . . . "

But before the woman said a word, Mary urged her to wash her sick son in the water. Then the mother brought in her three-year-old boy, whose leprosy was so advanced that it covered all his face and body. Yet as soon as he was placed in the water that Jesus had used, which was now clearer than it had been before, the sick boy's skin became perfectly smooth and healthy.

His mother was almost beside herself with joy and gratitude. She tried to kiss Mary and Jesus, but the Mother of God gently held her off and did not let her touch either of them. The father told all his men about the miracle, and they crowded into the hut and stared at the Holy Family with awe.

Later Mary had a long talk with the mother, who promised that she would stop living from crime as soon as she could.
That night Mary hardly slept at all. She remained sitting on her bed, praying.

The next morning when the Holy Family left with some new provisions, the robber chief gratefully said good-by to them and exclaimed with deep emotion: "Remember me, wherever you are!'

(Thirty-three years later his robber son said to the Man crucified beside him on Calvary: "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!" And that time -again due to Mary's prayers-Jesus healed his soul).

Within a few days, although nearing the end of their trip, the Holy Family was once more utterly exhausted and suffering intensely from hunger and thirst. While they were resting on a sand dune, Mary prayed again for help, and a spring of water began to flow beside her. After they had quenched their thirst, she bathed the Infant Jesus in the water. Then, as they approached the delta of the Nile, they camped under a tall date tree, which at Mary's prayer bent over so that they could pick and eat its fruit. That night they spent in the shelter of a great hollow sycamore tree.

Finally, after ten days of torture on the endless sands of the desert the Holy Family reached the fertile land of Egypt.

Meditation
There are few thoughts which need to be more pondered by us all. Still it is also well to watch the wonderful hand of God, here as elsewhere, as it were, drawing together the threads of the world’s history, fulfilling type and prophecy by the hands of those who would gladly have frustrated both, sending His Son into exile in Egypt, because Israel had dwelt there before Him, and because the prophet Hosea had said, and had been interpreted to mean, that so it would be done. When the history of mankind is seen in its completeness, how strangely and beautifully will it be found to be linked up in repetitions like this, pattern repeating pattern on the floor of this world, with ever increasing detail, with ever greater glory given to God. The hand of God is never lifted from the guiding rein. Man thinks he does his own will, and in his own limited sphere he is right; but there is a sphere greater than his own, and a will that is also done, with which the will of man cannot compare.

Next, there is the fact that God’s ways are so different from ours. He might have struck down Herod then as He did later; but He did not. He might have given the Holy Family a longer warning than that of a few minutes; but He did not. He might have hidden them in some more convenient place than Egypt–perhaps even Nazareth would have sufficed–but He did not. He might have relieved their anxiety, consulted their condition, helped their necessity in a thousand ways; but He did not. Even in the first instance He might have so arranged that Herod should have known nothing, or that the Magi should have found our Lord in some safer place; but He did not. He has preferred that His own should not be the most comfortable, the most prosperous, the most considered people in this world; to these He has said, and is for ever saying: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is exceeding great in Heaven.”

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

SEVENTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: St. Joseph the "Loser"

Holy Scripture
"'And when He [Jesus] was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast. And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him" (Luke 2:42-245).

The Life of St. Joseph
Like all the Jews, the Holy Family went to the Temple in Jerusalem at least once a year, to celebrate the Pasch in April. The Boy Jesus first took the long trip when He was eight years old, and He wished that it be made entirely on foot. Often He became tired and overheated, and then with tender compassion His Mother would ask Him to rest, while she gently wiped His face. Some nights they spent in inns and some in the open fields. After Jesus reached the age of twelve, the Holy Family made their yearly pilgrimage to the Temple and spent seven days with friends in Jerusalem.

Having thus spent all the seven days of the feast, they started out on their way home to Nazareth. When His parents departed from Jerusalem and were pursuing their way homeward, the Child Jesus withdrew from them, without their knowledge. For this purpose the Lord availed Himself of the separation of the men and women, which had become customary among the pilgrims--for reasons of decency as well as for greater recollection during their return homeward. The children, who accompanied their parents, were taken in charge either by the men or the women, since the company there were in, with either male or female, was a matter of indifference at such a young age.

Thus it happened that St. Joseph could easily suppose that the Child Jesus had remained with his most holy Mother; with whom He generally remained. The thought that she would leave without Him, was far from his mind, since the heavenly Queen loved and delighted in Him more than any other creature. Our Lady did not have so many and good reasons for supposing that her most holy Son was in the company of St. Joseph, but the Lord Himself so diverted her thoughts, by holy and divine contemplations, that she did not notice His absence at first. When afterwards she became aware of her not being accompanied by her beloved Son, she supposed that the Joseph had taken Him along and that the Lord accompanied His foster father for his consolation.

Thus thinking and thus assured, Mary and Joseph pursued their homeward journey for an entire day, as St. Luke tells us. As the pilgrims proceeded onwards, they gradually thinned out, each taking his own direction and joining again with his wife or family. Eventually, Mary and Joseph found themselves in the place where they had agreed to meet on the first evening, after leaving Jerusalem. When Mary saw that the Child was not with Joseph, and when Joseph discovered that He was not with his Mother, the two were struck dumb with amazement and surprise for quite a while. Both, governed in their judgment by their most profound humility, felt overwhelmed with self reproach at their remissness in watching over their most holy Son and thus blamed themselves for his absence; for neither of them had any suspicion of the mysterious manner in which He had been able to escape their vigilance.

Meditation
Losing anything is not pleasant―but losing God is Hell! In fact, that is what the definition of Hell is: “An absence or loss of God.” We might think of Hell as being “fire and brimstone”, a place of torture and pain, a place of hatred and vengeance, filled with devils and our enemies―but all these things are merely a ‘welcome’ distraction from the greatest torture of all―which is an absence of God, the loss of God, knowing that you could have possessed God in Heaven.

Perhaps we can imagine the “Hell on Earth” that St. Joseph must have gone through in having lost such an incredible treasure, the most important being in the universe! We can imagine the self-recrimination and self-criticism that he may well have been going through in his grief-stricken mind― “O if only I would have done this … !!! O if only I would not have done that … !!!”

However, at least Joseph was grief-stricken about the whole thing! There are many today who lose Christ―that is to say, lose the Sanctifying Grace of Christ in their soul―and are thus living a “Hell on Earth”, but don’t really care “two-hoots” about it! They don’t give a damn―and won’t give a damn―until they end up being damned. It is these souls that Our Lord came to seek― “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost!” (Luke 19:10). It those same lost souls that Our Lady came to seek at Fatima, when she said: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the conversion of sinners? … Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to Hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and pray for them! … You have seen Hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved!”

Are seeking out the souls of those who are on the road to damnation and don’t give a damn about it? Or perhaps we, like them, don’t give a damn whether they are saved or not?

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

EIGHTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Joseph the Faithful Searcher

Holy Scripture
“And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions … And His mother said to Him: ‘Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing!’” (Luke 2:45-48).

The Life of St. Joseph
After a while, they recovered somewhat from their astonishment and, with deepest sorrow, took counsel with each other as to what was to be done. Mary said to St. Joseph: “I cannot rest unless we return with all haste to Jerusalem, in order to seek my most holy Son.” This they proceeded to do, beginning their search among their relations and friends, of whom, however, none could give them any information or any comfort in their sorrow; on the contrary their answers only increased their anxiety, since none of them had so much as seen their Son since their departure from Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, during these three days, Mary and Joseph, their hearts filled with anxiety and self-reproach, had been searching in vain for Jesus among their relatives and friends. Although Mary knew that the time for her Son’s Passion had not yet come, still she feared that Archelaus the King might have taken Him prisoner and be mistreating Him. Also she wondered whether Jesus might have gone to live in the desert with John the Baptist. Throughout those three days she neither ate nor slept. Though she often spoke with the angels that always accompanied her, they were not allowed to tell her where they knew Jesus was, and in her humility and prudence she did not ask them.

Since she did not know the cause of her loss, her anxiety was without measure, and yet she bore it with patience, resignation and submission. Not for a moment did she lose her interior or exterior peace, or entertain a discouraging thought. And though her sorrow pierced her inmost heart, she never failed in reverence or ceased her prayers for the human race and for the grace of finding her Son.

St. Joseph rejoined her, as they had been searching separately for a while. During all these three days he had suffered indescribable sorrow and affliction, hastening from one place to another. In fact he had been in serious danger of losing his life, if God had not strengthened him and if Mary had not consoled him and forced him to take some food and rest.

Mary and Joseph arrived at the Temple and found Jesus just as He was finishing His last explanation. All-the scholars rose in complete amazement and looked at each other, exclaiming: “What a prodigy of a boy!” Joseph humbly remained silent while Mary approached her Son and said with reverence and affection, before all those present: “Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have been seeking Thee sorrowing.”

in a very serious tone of voice Jesus replied: “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Mary and Joseph did not understand what He said, first because just then they were overwhelmed with joy at finding Him, and secondly because they had not heard Him explaining the Messias’ mission.

Meditation
When you lose something, a whole range of possible emotions can invade the mind, heart and soul― anger, fear, panic, helplessness, hopelessness, depression, discouragement, despair, desperation, etc. The degree to which we feel those things depends upon how much we value the thing we have lost. Losing God is bad enough―but what is even worse is when we do not seek Him out once we have lost Him!

Having lost something of value, usually triggers an intense search for the lost item. Nothing is―or at least nothing should be―as valuable as God. We should have a fear of losing Him for we would risk losing our soul by losing God. Nothing is as valuable as God and our soul―which is why Our Lord said: “For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Therefore, never mind the world, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice!” (Luke 12:31). “Give therefore your hearts and your souls to seek the Lord your God!” (1 Paralipomenon 22:19).

Yet that search for God must be intense and persevering: “When thou shalt seek there the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him―but only if thou seek Him with all thy heart, and all the affliction of thy soul!” (Deuteronomy 4:29). How many truly seek God? Holy Scripture says: “The Lord hath looked down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be any that understand and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: there is none that doth good, no not one!” (Psalm 13:2-3).

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.

LITANY IN HONOR OF
SAINT JOSEPH

NINTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted for each day)

Theme: Patron of the Dying

Holy Scripture
“For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they have comforted me!” (Psalm 22:4).

“We shall all indeed rise again … In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).

“Let not your heart be troubled. In My Father's house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you―because I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to Myself; that where I am, you also may be!” (John 14:1-3).

The Life of St. Joseph
This time, although he was not very old, St. Joseph was worn out in strength and health after twenty years of hard work for his family, and the Lord now ordained that he was to spend his last eight years of life in illness and suffering, in order to increase his sanctity through the practice of patience and resignation. Mary therefore lovingly persuaded him to give up his work, which Jesus had been helping him to perform, often miraculously making it easier for him.

Now Mary gladly volunteered to support the family, as she had done in Egypt, by spinning and weaving linen and wool, with the help of a good and loyal woman friend. Consequently she often spent the greater part of the night at work, although Jesus sometimes enabled her to accomplish a great deal in a short time.

During his last years St. Joseph suffered a series of fevers, violent headaches and a very painful rheumatism which made him weak and helpless. As Mary observed how he bore all his sufferings with humble patience and supernatural love, her affection and admiration for him increased every day, and she joyfully labored for his support and comfort. His greatest consolation was that she should prepare and serve his meals herself, and she often made special efforts to get him choice foods. She would often take off his shoes for him and support him with her arms and console him with kind and inspiring words.

During his last three years Joseph's illness grew worse, and Mary nursed him day and night. Several times she begged the Lord to let her take over her husband’s suffering, and when his pains were keenest she obtained her Son's permission to command them to cease for a white. She also ordered her angels to console St. Joseph, which they did by appearing to him in beautiful human forms and speaking to him about God or by singing heavenly hymns for him. All this time Jesus also helped and encouraged His beloved foster father, whenever He was not engaged in His intensive preparation for His public ministry.

Realizing one day that the hour of St. Joseph's death was very near, Mary went to her Son and said to Him: ‘My Lord, I beseech Thee, let Thy servant Joseph's death be as precious in Thy sight as the uprightness of his life has been pleasing to Thee.”
And Jesus replied: “My Mother, your request is granted, for the merits of Joseph are great. I will now assist him and will assign him so high a place among My people that he will be the admiration of angels and of men. With no other human being shall I do as with your husband."

Then for nine days St. Joseph enjoyed the company of Mary or Jesus without interruption, and three times each day the angels comforted him with celestial music and invigorating fragrances. On the eighth day he fell into an ecstasy that lasted twenty-four hours, during which he was shown clearly many divine mysteries which he had believed by faith concerning the Incarnation and the Redemption, and he was formally commissioned as the messenger of the Savior to the patriarchs and prophets in Limbo. When St. Joseph came out of this ecstasy, his face was shining with heavenly light, and he asked Mary to give him her blessing. But instead she indicated that Jesus should bless him, which He did. Then Mary fell on her knees and begged her dying husband to bless her, and after he had done so she kissed his hand tenderly and affectionately. St. Joseph also implored her pardon for all his deficiencies in serving her and requested her prayers in this hour of his death.

Then he spoke these last words to her: ‘Blessed art thou among all women, Mary! May angels and men praise thee! And may the Name of the Lord be known, adored and exalted in thee through all the coming ages. I hope to see thee in our heavenly home.” And turning toward Jesus with profound reverence, St Joseph tried in vain to kneel, but the Savior gently took him in His arms, while Joseph said: “My Lord and my God, give Thy blessing to Thy servant, and pardon the faults I have committed in Thy service. I give Thee my heartfelt thanks for having chosen me to be the husband of Thy Mother! May Thy glory be my thanksgiving for all eternity.....

Jesus then lovingly blessed St. Joseph and said: “My father, rest in peace and in the grace of My eternal Father, and bring to the saints in Limbo the joyful news of the approach of their redemption.” At these words, in the arms of Jesus, with Mary kneeling and weeping at his feet, in a room brightly lighted by hosts of angels, St. Joseph died a happy and peaceful death. After Jesus had closed His foster father’s eyes, Mary prepared his body for burial with the help of her angels, and as she did so, God enveloped it in a wonderful light, so that she could see only Joseph's lifelike face. The body was wrapped in a white shroud and placed in a narrow bier, which was then carried to a fine tomb given to St. Joseph by a rich man. Only Jesus and a few friends formed the funeral procession, together with a great number of resplendent angels.

Meditation

Prayer to St. Joseph for Assistance
O glorious St. Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary ever Virgin, and the head of the holy family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly patron and protector of the Church founded by Christ. Therefore it is with great confidence that I implore your powerful assistance for the whole Church on Earth. Protect in a special manner, with true fatherly love, the Pope and all bishops and priests in communion with the See of Peter. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life, and grant that all peoples of the world may follow Christ and the Church He founded.

Dear St. Joseph, accept the offering of myself which I now make to you. I dedicate myself to your service, that you may ever be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love for the spiritual life. May all my actions, after your example, be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the divine Heart of Jesus, the immaculate heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart.
Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress
We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in Heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holy life, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most illustrious Patriarch St. Joseph, on the testimony of St. Teresa, thy devoted servant, that never has it been heard that anyone who invoked thy protection or sought thy assistance has not obtained relief. In this confidence I come to thee, my loving protector, chaste spouse of Mary, foster father of the Savior of men and dispenser of the treasures of His Most Sacred Heart. Despise not my prayer, but graciously hear and answer my petition.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily.

Then say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen.