Tag: stjoseph

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 April – ‘Is he not a man chosen and set apart?’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 April – Solemnity of St Joseph – Genesis
9:22-26, Luke 3:21-23 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the son of Joseph … ” – Luke 3:23

REFLECTION – “There is a general rule, concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen, with all the gifts of the Spirit, needed to fulfil the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the Foster-Father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the Angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy Guardian and Protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his Divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.

What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honourably introduced into the world. Holy Church, in its entirety, is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her, it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her, we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.

In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfilment. What the Divine Goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms. Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honour which He gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather, we must say that in Heaven, Christ completes and perfects, all that He gave at Nazareth.

Now, we can see ,how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph – Enter into the joy of your Lord. In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph – Enter into joy. His intention was, that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey, not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy but also, that it surrounds him and engulfs him, like an infinite abyss.

Remember us, Saint Joseph and plead for us to your Foster-Child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the Mother of Him Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns eternally. Amen.” – St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) (An excerpt on his Sermon 2 of St Joseph).

PRAYER – God, Who in thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose Thy blessed servant Joseph, to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant that now that he is in Heaven with Thee, we who on earth do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be helped by the succour of his prayers to Thee on our behalf. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 March – “Joseph, son of David ” – Matthew 1:20

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One Minute Reflection – 20 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” and his Feast transferred from Sunday 19 March – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 1:18-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Joseph, son of David ” – Matthew 1:20

REFLECTION – “There is no doubt that Joseph was a very holy and trustworthy man, since the Mother of the Saviour was to be his wife. He was the “faithful and prudent servant” (Mt 24:45), for God established him to be His Mother’s support, the foster father of His flesh and the assistant for His plan of salvation.

We must recall, that he was of the House of David. He was son of David, not only by bonds of the flesh but even more, because of his faith, holiness and piety. God found in him, a second David, to whom He could confidently entrust His plans, even the most hidden. He revealed to him, as to another David, the mysteries of His Wisdom and disclosed to him, what no teacher in the world, could know. He allowed him to see and listen, to things that so many kings and prophets had wished to see and hear but which,, in spite of their desire, they had not been able to see or to hear (Mt 13:7), even more,, He made him carry and guide, embrace, nurture and protect Him. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to David’s race; in Mary was fulfilled the promise once made by the Lord to David, while Joseph was the witness of this fulfilment.” – St Bernard (1090-1153) (Surname de Fontaine) Priest, Cistercian Monk, The Last Father and Doctor Mellifluus (Mellifluous Doctor) (Homily on the “Missus est”, 2, 16).

PRAYER – May the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s Spouse help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that through his intercession we may receive what we cannot obtain by our own efforts. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 20 March –Caelitum, Ioseph, decus, Joseph, the Praise and Glory of the Heavens

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Our Morning Offering – 20 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” and his Feast transferred from Sunday 19 March

Caelitum, Ioseph, decus
Joseph, the Praise and Glory of the Heavens
By Fr Juan Escollar (Died 1700)

Joseph, the praise and glory of the heavens,
Sure pledge of life and safety of the wide world,
as in our joy we sing to thee, in kindness
listen to our praises.

Thou by the world’s Creator wert appointed
Spouse of the Virgin, thee He willed to honour.
Naming thee father of the Word and guardian
of our salvation.

Thou, thy Redeemer, lying in a stable,
whom long ago foretold the choir of Prophets,
sawest rejoicing and thy God adorest
Humble in childhood.

God, King of Kings and Governor of the ages,
He at Whose word the powers of hell do tremble,
He Whom the adoring heavens ever worship,
called thee protector.

Praise to the Triune Godhead everlasting,
Who with such honour mightily hath blest thee.
O may He grant us at thy blest petition
Joys everlasting.
Amen

This Hymn was formerly used at Matins for the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (19 March).
It is still used for this Feast but for Lauds. It is also the Hymn for Lauds for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker on 1 May.
Translation by Alan G McDougall (1895-1964).

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent, St Joseph (transferred), Our Lady of Calevourt, near Brussels, Belgium (1454) and Memorials of the Saints – 20 March

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Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – FAST

St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 19 March (trasferred to today due to yesterday being Laetare Sunbday).:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/19/solemnity-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-and-memorials-of-the-saints-1-9-march/
St Joseph!
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-the-solemnity-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-most-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-and-patron-of-the-universal-church/
AND – Do Not Forget St Joseph!:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/19/second-thought-for-the-day-19-march-do-not-forget-st-joseph/

Our Lady of Calevourt, near Brussels, Belgium (1454) – 20 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/20/our-lady-of-calevourt-near-brussels-belgium-1454-and-memorials-of-the-saints-20-march/

St Photina & Companions / Martyrs of Rome – 9+ Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Nero. We know nothing else about them but the names Photina, Sebastian and Victor, Anatolius, Cyriaca, Joseph, Parasceve, Photis.

Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni of Siena OP (1220-1287) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers. A fellow student with St Thomas Aquinas under St Albert Magnus.
Anastasius XVI
Archippus of Colossi
St Benignus of Flay
St Cathcan of Rath-derthaighe
St Clement of Ireland

St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (c 634-687) “The Wonder-Worker of England,” Bishop of Lindisfarne, Monk, Hermit, Miracle-worker.
St Cuthbert’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-saint-cuthbert-of-lindisfarne-c-634-687-the-wonder-worker-of-england/

St Guillermo de Peñacorada
St Herbert of Derwenwater
Bl Hippolytus Galantini
Bl Jeanne Veron
Bl John Baptist Spagnuolo
St John Nepomucene
St John Sergius

St Martin of Braga (c 520–580) Archbishop, Monk, Missionary, Monastic Founder, prolific Ecclesiastical Writer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-st-martin-of-braga-c-520-580/

St Nicetas of Apollonias
St Remigius of Strasbourg
St Tertricus of Langres
St Urbitius of Metz

St Wulfram of Sens (c 640-c 703) Archbishop of Sens, France and Confessor, Missionary, Miracle-worker.
Patronages – Abbeville, France, against the dangers of the sea/of sailors, childbirth and young children.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-saint-wulfram-of-sens-c-640-c-703/

Martyrs of Amisus – 8 Saints: A group of Christian women Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details we have are eight of their names – Alexandra, Caldia, Derphuta, Euphemia, Euphrasia, Juliana, Matrona and Theodosia. They were burned to death c 300 in Amisus, Paphlagonia (modern Samsun, Turkey).

Martyrs of San Saba – 20 Saints: Twenty monks who were Martyred together in their monastery by invading Saracens. They were Martyred in 797 when they were burned inside the San Sabas monastery in Palestine.

Martyrs of Syria – 3+ Saints: A group of Christians who were Martyred together in Syria. We know nothing else about them but the names Cyril, Eugene and Paul.

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, St JOSEPH, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 May – ‘Is he not a man chosen and set apart?’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 11 May – Octave Day of St Joseph – Genesis 49:22-26, Luke 3:21-23

“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the son of Joseph … “” – Luke 3:23

REFLECTION – “There is a general rule, concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen, with all the gifts of the Spirit, needed to fulfil the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the Foster-Father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the Angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy Guardian and Protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his Divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.

What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honourably introduced into the world. Holy Church, in its entirety, is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her, it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her, we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.

In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfilment. What the Divine Goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms. Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honour which He gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather, we must say that in Heaven, Christ completes and perfects, all that He gave at Nazareth.

Now, we can see ,how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph – Enter into the joy of your Lord. In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph – Enter into joy. His intention was, that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey, not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy but also, that it surrounds him and engulfs him, like an infinite abyss.

Remember us, Saint Joseph and plead for us to your Foster-Child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the Mother of Him Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns eternally. Amen.” – St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) (An excerpt on his Sermon 2 of St Joseph).

PRAYER – O God, Who in thine unspeakable foreknowledge, didst choose Thy blessed servant Joseph to be the husband of thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant, that now that he is in heaven with Thee, we, who on earth do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be assisted by the succour of his prayers to Thee ,on our behalf. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH

Second Thought for the Day – 19 March – Do Not Forget St Joseph!

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Second Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

One of the long-standing Follower/Benefactor on Breathing Catholic, who lives in Canada, shared the following with me on St Joseph’s day last year – many of you will remember that, at that time, I had recently moved from the area in the story to where I live now – AND had never heard about Fr O’Hare there:

Do Not Forget St Joseph!

Father O’Hare, a Missionary in South Africa, relates the following story:

“During my residence of twelve years in Africa, I had charge of a territory as large as all England. From time to time I visited my scattered flock. On one of these tours I lost my way and wandered about, without having any idea whence I came or whither I was going.

No trace of a human being could be seen. It was in the dry season and my thirsty ponies could hardly draw my cart. Eventually I arrived in an unknown valley wherein was located the farm of a Boer Afrikaner. The land was scorched by the heat of the sun but I saw a pond near the house. I presented myself to the farmer, told him my story and requested permission to water my horses. This he permitted.

Then I told him that I was a Catholic Priest. I noticed that he was a Calvinist. ‘Oh,’ said he, ‘that is fortunate – for, in the rear of the house there lies a workman; he is a Catholic. Perhaps you can go to see him.’

I hurried there and found a poor boy with death written on his forehead. When I told him that I was the Catholic Priest from the District of Oudtshoorn, 150 miles away, the sunken and pale man raised himself in his bed and cried out with emotion in a tone of genuine thanks: ‘Oh, St Joseph! I knew you would send me a Priest before my death, who would assist me in my last hour’.

What is that about St. Joseph? I asked inquisitively.

Then the dying man told me the following story: “When I was yet a boy at home, my good and pious mother taught me to say every day, ‘Oh, St. Joseph obtain for me the grace of a happy death.‘ From that day on, I never omitted that prayer a single day. I made my first Holy Communion when ten years old, served Holy Mass until my fifteenth birthday and entered the army when I was twenty-one. The Zulu war brought me to Africa. Before leaving Ireland I went to take leave of my poor old mother in my uniform. When we parted she added: ‘Do not forget the little prayer to St Joseph.’

“The Zulu war ended and my service expired; I received my honourable discharge and stayed in the Colony. The nearest Priest to me lived in Capetown, 500 miles distant. After a time I came to this Dutch farmer and have been here for years . Not long ago, I heard that a Priest was at Oudtshoorn, 150 miles away and although sickly, I went there that I might again approach the Sacraments, go to Confession and receive Holy Communion.” When I arrived at the presbytery, I was told that you had already left on your tour. ‘Yesterday I arrived back here, sick unto death and now you see, today St Joseph sends me a priest!’

I remained overnight with him, prepared him, heard his Confession and the next morning gave him the Holy Viaticum and shortly afterwards anointed him and gave him the last blessing.

A little while later he died and the last prayer that fell from his lips was: ‘St Joseph, obtain for me the grace of a happy death! ”

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 19 March – Meditations with
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Joseph

“Let us turn to St Joseph in times of necessity.
He is very powerful because his blessed Spouse will refuse him nothing and the Son of God loves him with the love which a son has for a father.
He worked for Jesus and Mary all his life and endured hardship, danger and exile for their sake.
He loved them as nobody else in the world ever loved them.

It is impossible, that he could be denied the favours for which he asks and which we should request him to obtain for us.

Let us go to him trustingly but, let us remember, that the surest way of being heard by him, is to imitate his wonderful virtues, especially his humility, his spirit of prayer, his purity and his calm desire always, to do God’s will.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph-2/

Posted in LENT 2022, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers on the Feast of St Joseph Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 19 March

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Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers on the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 19 March

“Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands.” – Psalm 111:1-3

“Behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
fear not to take to you, Mary
your wife, for that which is begotten in her
is of the holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:20

“HOW THEN DID the Angel assure Joseph? Hear and marvel at the wisdom of these words: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife.” The angel instantly puts him in mind of David, from whose seed the Anointed One would spring. He did not allow him to be confused by the exalted title of his forefather, or remind him that the promise was made to the whole race. Rather, he addresses him personally as “Joseph, Son of David.” … By saying “fear not,” he indicates that Joseph had been afraid, lest he might give offence to God by retaining an adulteress under the law. If it had not been for this, he would not have even thought of casting her out. The Angel came from God to bring forward and set before him clearly, what he thought to do and what he felt in his mind.

THE ANGEL did not only mention her by name but also simply called her “your wife.” He would not have called her so, if she had been unfaithful. Even as espoused, he speaks of her as “your wife,” just as Scripture commonly calls betrothed husbands sons-in-law, even before marriage.

BUT WHAT IS MEANT by “[Do not fear] to take Mary your wife”? It means to retain her in his house. For he was intending to put her away. It is as if the angelic voice prompted: “Retain her just as if she has been committed to you by God, not by her parents alone. God is committing her, not for marriage but to dwell with you. By my voice, He is committing her to you.” Just as Christ would later commit Mary to his disciple, so now he commits her to Joseph.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father amd Doctor (The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 4)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – St Joseph,

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“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 favours
which God has given me,
through this blessed Saint;
the dangers from which he has delivered me,
both of body and of soul!”

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

“… You can see how low and humbled
he was brought,
more than can be said or imagined…
he went to his own country
and town of Bethlehem
and none but he, was turned away
from all those inns…
Notice how the Angel turns him about
with both hands.
He tells him he has to go to Egypt
and he goes, he orders him to return
and he returns.
God wants him to be always poor…
and he submits to it with love
and not only for a while,
for he was poor his whole life long.””

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Blessed Joseph, Remember Us
By St Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444)

Blessed Joseph,
remember us,
intercede with the help of your prayers
to your adopted Son
and may you likewise,
make the blessed Virgin,
your Spouse,
to be favourable towards us,
for she is the Mother of Him,
who, with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns
world without end.
Amen

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-march/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – “Joseph, son of David ” – Matthew 1:20

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 1:18-21

“Joseph, son of David ” – Matthew 1:20

REFLECTION – “There is no doubt that Joseph was a very holy and trustworthy man, since the Mother of the Saviour was to be his wife. He was the “faithful and prudent servant” (Mt 24:45), for God established him to be His Mother’s support, the foster father of His flesh and the assistant for His plan of salvation.

We must recall, that he was of the House of David. He was son of David, not only by bonds of the flesh but even more, because of his faith, holiness and piety. God found in him, a second David, to whom He could confidently entrust His plans, even the most hidden. He revealed to him, as to another David, the mysteries of His Wisdom and disclosed to him, what no teacher in the world, could know. He allowed him to see and listen, to things that so many kings and prophets had wished to see and hear but which,, in spite of their desire, they had not been able to see or to hear (Mt 13:7), even more,, He made him carry and guide, embrace, nurture and protect Him. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to David’s race; in Mary was fulfilled the promise once made by the Lord to David, while Joseph was the witness of this fulfilment.” – St Bernard (1090-1153) (Surname de Fontaine) Priest, Cistercian Monk, The Last Father and Doctor Mellifluus (Mellifluous Doctor) (Homily on the “Missus est”, 2, 16).

PRAYER – May the merits of Your most holy Mother’s spouse help us, we beseech You, O Lord, that through his intercession, we may receive what we cannot obtain by our own efforts. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Joseph

“Joseph is described in the Gospel as “a just man” (Mt 1:19).
Perfect justice, such as St Joseph possessed, is directed towards God, ourselves and our neighbours and embraces, in itself, all the other virtues.
A pious tradition claims, that he was born wealthy, as well as being from a royal stock but,he distributed his goods amog the poor and for the greater part of his life, worked as a humble carpenter.

He loved silence and obscurity.
His only aim in life was to please Jesus and His Blessed Mother.

It is believed, that he was confirmed in grace from the moment of his birth and that when he reached the use of reason, he consecrated himself to God by a vow of perpetual virginity.

He was always peaceful and hardworking and never complained about his position in life.
Even when grave misfortunes overtook him, he endeavoured to do God’s will from the simple motive, that ths was what God wanted.

We have a great deal to learn from this temendous Saint.
Let us love him, pray to him and imitate him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 20 March – The Patronage of St Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 20 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Patronage of St Joseph

“St Joseph has been proclaimed Patron of the Universal Church, as he was Patron and Head of the Holy Family, from which the Church developed.
Devotion to St Joseph has increased greatly in recent Centuries, so much so, that nowadays, his name is always linked with the names of Jesus and Mary.

St John Chrysostom had already spoken of St Joseph with the utmost veneration.
He interpreted the expression ‘just,’ applied to Joseph in the Gospel (Mt 1:19), as indicating the synthesis of all the virtues.
At a later date, St Bernardine of Siena wrote in praise of the power and holiness of St Joseph and roused the faithful to an increased devotion to the Holy Patriarch.
St Therese of the Child Jesus had great devotion to him and claimed that she invariably received any favour for which she asked, through his intercession.
Many other Saints had the same experience.

We also should have recourse to St Joseph in our spiritual and bodily necessities.
St Joseph had to endure a great deal in order to provide for the wants of the Holy Family and to protect them from the many dangers which threatened them.
For this reason, he is especially attentive to requests of any kind, as long as they are made with a lively faith and submission to the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Joseph

“If it is true that the importance of his God-given role upon earth is the measure of a Saint’s greatness, then with the exception of Mary, none is greater than St Joseph.
He was chosen by God as the head of the Holy Family, as the most chaste spouse of the Mother of God and the foster-father of Jesus Christ.
The Word Incarnate, the Lord and King of Heaven and earth, was obedient to him, as was the Blessed Virgin, the holiest of creatures.
He lived for thirty years in the company of Mary and was the chaste guardian of her virginity and divine motherhood.
He had the privilege of clasping the holy Infant to his breast and of providing, by his labour, for the needs of Him, whose omnipotence, causes the corn to sprout and brings forth the many fruits of the soil.
In this regard, St Joseph is greater than any of the Angels, for none of them was ever entrusted with such a sublime mission.
For this reason, we should love him, in the same way as he loved his most chaste spouse, Mary and, his foster child, Jesus.
Knowing that he will certainly protect us, we should entrust all our cares and needs to him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March –

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church

“Go, then to Joseph and do all, that he shall say to you,
Go to Joseph and obey him, as Jesus and Mary obeyed him,
Go to Joseph and speak to him, as they spoke to him,
Go to Joseph and consult him, as they consulted him,
Go to Joseph and honour him, as they honoured him,
Go to Joseph and be grateful to him, as they were grateful to him,
Go to Joseph and love him, as they love him still.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

go then to joseph - st alphonsus liguori - 19 march 2019

“He was there to show Jesus to the world
and to hide Him when need arose,
to protect and nourish Him
and then to follow Him
at a distance and remain in the
shadows of the Lord’s mysteries,
shadows which were
every now and then,
lit with a heavenly radiance,
by the light touch
of a passing angel.”

St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

he was there to show Jesus to the world - st john XXIII 19 march 2020

“Be in good spirits
under the fatherly mantle of St Joseph,
a place of safest refuge
in trials and tribulations.”

St Giuseppe Marello (1844-1895)

Bishop of Acqui, Italy and Founder of the Oblates of Saint Josephbe in good spiritis - st giuseppe marello 19 march 2020 no 2

“Ite ad Joseph!
Go to Joseph with extreme confidence,
because I do not remember
having asked anything from St Joseph,
without having obtained it readily.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina/Padre Pio (1887-1968)

More St Joseph Quotes from the Saints here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-march-st-joseph/

ite ad joseph - go to joseph - st padre pio 19 march 2020

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT 2020, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – “He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.”

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Lenten Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers,
I will raise up your offspring after you,
who shall come forth from your body and I will establish his kingdom. …2 Samuel 7:12

DAILY MEDITATION:
“He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.”

“And this man, this dreamer, is able to accept this duty, this grave duty.   He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.   And so this man takes the promise of God and carries it onward in silence, with strength, he carries it onward so that God’s Will might be done.   He is the man who doesn’t speak but obeys, the man of tenderness, the man capable of carrying forward the promises so that they might become solid, certain, the man who guarantees the stability of the Kingdom of God, the paternity of God, our sonship as children of God.
I like to think of Joseph as the guardian of weaknesses, of our weaknesses too, he is able to give birth to so many beautiful things from our weaknesses, even from our sins.” … Pope Francishe-is-the-man-who-doesnt-speak-but-obeys-pope-francis-19-march-2019-st-joseph and 19 march 2020

For thy steadfast love was established forever,
thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.

Psalm 89:2lent - thursday of the third week 19 march 2020

Intercessions:
Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world, that we might walk in His light
and not in the darkness of death. Let us praise Him and cry out to Him:
Let Your word be a lamp to guide us.

God of mercy, help us today to grow in Your likeness,
– that we who sinned in Adam may rise again in Christ.
Let Your word be a lamp to guide us,
– that we may live the truth and grow always in Your love.
Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for Your sake,
– that Your light may shine on the whole human family by means of Your Church.
Touch our hearts to live in trust of Your saving help,
– and to make amends for our sins against Your wisdom and goodness.

Closing Prayer:

St Joseph, be our Protector
By St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

St Joseph,
be always our protector.
That your internal spirit of peace,
silence, honest work and prayer
in the service of the Church
give us life and happiness
in union with your blessed Spouse,
our Sweet and Immaculate Mother
in the strong and mild love to Jesus,
Glorious and Immortal King
of the centuries and the people.
Amenst-joseph-be-our-protector-st-pope-john-xxiii-19-march-2019 and 19 march 2020

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, FRANCISCAN OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – ‘Blessed Joseph, remember us …’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home … Matthew 1:24matthew 1 24 when joseph awoke he did as the angel commanded him - 19 march 2020

REFLECTION – “When the divine goodness chooses someone to receive a special grace, it gives him all the charisms he needs, which greatly increases his spiritual beauty.   This is wholly confirmed in the case of Saint Joseph, legal father of our Lord Jesus Christ and rightful husband of she, who is Queen of the world and Sovereign of angels.   The eternal Father chose him to be provider and faithful guardian to his chiefest treasures, namely His Son and His bride – a function he faithfully fulfilled  . That is why the Lord said: “Good and faithful servant, come, share your master’s joy” (Mt 25,21).
If you compare Joseph with all the rest of Christ’s Church, is he not the one who has been specially chosen, through whom Christ came into the world in regular and respectable fashion?   So, if the whole of holy Church is indebted to the Virgin Mary, because it was she who enabled it to welcome Christ, after her it is to Saint Joseph that it owes a recognition and honour without compare.
Indeed, it is he who brings the Old Testament to an end, it is in him that the dignity of patriarchs and prophets receives its promised fruit.   He alone possessed in reality what divine goodness had promised to them.   Nor indeed should we doubt that the closeness and respect Christ showed to Joseph during His earthly life, as a son to His father, were ever denied in heaven, rather, He enriched and completed them.   So, with reason, the Lord adds: “Enter into your master’s joy”.indeed it is he who brings the old testament to an end - st bernardine of siena sermon on st joseph - 19 march 2020
PRAYER – Blessed Joseph, remember us, intercede with the help of your prayers to your adopted Son and may you likewise make the blessed Virgin, your spouse, to be favourable towards us, for she is the mother of Him, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns world without end.” … St Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444) – Sermon on Saint Josephblessed joseph remember us - st bernardine of siena 19 march 2020

Posted in SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Memorials of the Saints -19 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Joseph (Solemnity)
St Joseph!
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-the-solemnity-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-most-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-and-patron-of-the-universal-church/

Go to Joseph:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-the-solemnity-of-the-feast-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-and-patron-of-the-universal-church-go-to-joseph/

St Adrian of Maastricht
St Alkmund of Northumbria
St Amantius of Wintershoven
Bl Andrea Gallerani
St Apollonius of Braga
St Auxilius of Ireland
Bl Clement of Dunblane
St Colocer of Saint-Brieuc
St Corbasius of Quimperlé
St Cuthbert of Brittany
St Gemus
Bl Isnard de Chiampo
Bl Jan Turchan
St John the Syrian of Pinna
St Lactali of Freshford
St Landoald of Maastricht
St Leontinus of Braga
St Leontinus of Saintes
Blessed Marcel Callo (1921-1945) Martyr
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-blessed-marcel-callo-1921-1945-aged-23-martyr/

Bl Mark of Montegallo
St Pancharius of Nicomedia
Blessed Sibyllina Biscossi OP (1287-1367)
—
Martyrs of Sorrento: A group of three sisters and a brother who were martyred together. We have little more than their names – Mark, Quartilla, Quintilla and Quintius. They were martyred in Sorrento, Italy, date unknown.
Mark
Quartilla
Quintilla
Quintius

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War
• Blessed Alberto Linares de La Pinta
• Blessed Jaume Trilla Lastra

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face Fifth Day – 21 February

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Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face
Fifth Day – 21 February

DAY FIVE NOVENA TO THE HOLY FACE 21 FEB 2020

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity,
through the intercession of Holy Mary,
whose soul was pierced through
by a sword of sorrow
at the sight of the passion of her Divine Son,
we ask Your help,
in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus,
united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We now implore all the Angels and Saints
to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena
to the Most Holy Face of Jesus
and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

FIFTH DAY

Psalm 51,10-11

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your Face
and blot out all my guilt.

Holy Face of Jesus,
Sacred Countenance of God,
how great is Your patience with humankind,
how infinite Your forgiveness.
We are sinners, yet You love us.
This gives us courage.
For the glory of Your Holy Face
and of the Blessed Trinity,
hear and answer us.
Mary our Mother, intercede for us,
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of Your precious blood and Your Holy Face,
O Jesus, grant us our petition………………
Pardon and mercy.

Prayer to Saint Joseph – Adopt Us a Thy Children

dear st joseph, adopt us as thy children 21 feb 2020 lenten novena to the holy face day five

Dear Saint Joseph!
Adopt us as thy children,
take charge of our salvation,
watch over us day and night,
preserve us from occasions of sin,
obtain for us purity of body and soul
and the spirit of prayer,
through thy intercession with Jesus,
grant us a spirit of sacrifice, of humility and self-denial,
obtain for us a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
and a sweet, tender love for Mary, our Mother.
Saint Joseph, be with us in life,
be with us in death
and obtain for us a favourable judgement from Jesus,
our merciful Saviour.
Amen

Pray (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Marys, (1) Glory Be.

O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine (Three times)

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, Uncategorized

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph The faithful foster-father and guardian by St Bernardine

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Thought for the Day – 19 March – Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The faithful foster-father and guardian

Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

An excerpt from his On Saint Joseph (Sermon 2)

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfil the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels.   He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife.   He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying – Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.

What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ?   Is he not a man chosen and set apart?   Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honourably introduced into the world.   Holy Church in its entirety is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her it was judged worthy to receive Christ.   But after her we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.

In him the Old Testament finds its fitting close.   He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfilment.   What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms.

Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honour which He gave him on earth, as a son to His father.   Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects, all that He gave at Nazareth.obviously, christ does not now deny to joseph - st bernardine 19 march 2019.jpg

Now we can see how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph – Enter into the joy of your Lord.   In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph – Enter into joy.   His intention was that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us.   They convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy but also that it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss.

Remember us, Saint Joseph and plead for us to your foster-child.   Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of Him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally.   Amenholy mary holy joseph - pray for us - 15 june 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT 2019, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – Faithful, Humble, Obedient, Wise, Brave

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Lenten Reflection – 19 March – Tuesday of The Second Week of Lent, Year C
The Solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of Mary

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church

“How faithful in humility was the great saint we are celebrating!   That can’t be said in all its perfection for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived all the days of his life, a poverty and lowliness beneath which he kept hidden and concealed his great virtues and dignity!… Truly, I have no doubt at all that the angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest child in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment so as to feed the little boy and the mother entrusted to him.

There is no doubt at all that Saint Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon [who were his ancestors].  Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts with which God had favoured him?   And what wisdom did he not have?   For God gave him his most glorious Son to care for…, the universal Prince of heaven and earth…   Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined… he went to his own country and town of Bethlehem and none but he was turned away from all those inns…  Notice how the angel turns him about with both hands.   He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes, he orders him to return and he returns.   God wants him to be always poor… and he submits to it with love and not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long.”st joseph pray for us 19 march 2019.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Protect us from what could harm us
as St Joseph protected our Lord and Saviour.

God the Father has given us His only Son, the Word made man,
to be our food and our life. Let us thank Him and pray:
May the word of Christ dwell among us in all its richness.

Help us in this Lenten season to listen more frequently to Your word,
that we may celebrate the solemnity of Easter with greater love for Christ, our paschal teacher,
that we may encourage those in doubt and error to follow what is true and good.
Enable us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Anointed One,
that our lives may reveal Him more effectively.
Purify and renew Your Church in this time of salvation,
that it may give an even greater witness to You.

For thy steadfast love was established forever,
thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
Thou hast said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
‘I will establish your descendants for ever,
and build your throne for all generations.’
Psalm 89:2–4

Closing Prayer:

God in heaven and in my life,
guide me and protect me.
I so often believe I can save myself
and I always end in failure.
Lead me with Your love away from harm
and guide me on the right path.
May Your Spirit inspire the Church
and make us an instrument of Your love and guidance.
Thank You for your care for me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amenlent tues of the secopnd week - psalm 89 2 19 march 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – St Joseph!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian of Jesus, Patron of the Dying, Patron of the Universal Church

Saint Joseph was the just man,
by his constant fidelity,
an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion,
a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct,
a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity,
a flower of temperance.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Doctor of the Churchst-joseph-was-the-just-man-st-albert-the-great-19-march-2018.jpg

“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 (1225-1274) Doctor of the Churchsome saints are privileged...but st joseph - st thomas aquinas 19 march 2019.jpg

“Go, then to Joseph and do all, that he shall say to you,
Go to Joseph and obey him, as Jesus and Mary obeyed him,
Go to Joseph and speak to him, as they spoke to him,
Go to Joseph and consult him, as they consulted him,
Go to Joseph and honour him, as they honoured him,
Go to Joseph and be grateful to him, as they were grateful to him,
Go to Joseph and love him, as they love him still.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Churchgo then to joseph - st alphonsus liguori - 19 march 2019.jpg

“There is but one saint
who typifies to us
the next world
and that is Saint Joseph.
He is the type of
rest, repose,
peace.
He is the saint
and patron of home,
in death
as well as
in life.”

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)there is but one saint - bl john henry newman 19 march 2019.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The man who doesn’t speak but obeys

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife...Matthew 1:24matthew 1 24 when joseph woke from sleep - 19 march 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “And this man, this dreamer, is able to accept this duty, this grave duty. He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.   And so this man takes the promise of God and carries it onward in silence, with strength, he carries it onward so that God’s Will might be done.   He is the man who doesn’t speak but obeys, the man of tenderness, the man capable of carrying forward the promises so that they might become solid, certain;  the man who guarantees the stability of the Kingdom of God, the paternity of God, our sonship as children of God.
I like to think of Joseph as the guardian of weaknesses, of our weaknesses too, he is able to give birth to so many beautiful things from our weaknesses, even from our sins.

Today I want to ask, grant to all of us the ability to dream, that when we dream great things, beautiful things, we might draw near to the dream of God, the things God dreams about us.   [I ask] that he might give to young people – because he was young – the capacity to dream, to risk, to undertake the difficult tasks they have seen in dreams.  And [I ask] him to give to all of us the faithfulness that tends to grow when we have a just attitude – Joseph was just – [the faithfulness that] grows in silence, with few words, that grows in tenderness that guards our own weaknesses and those of others.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 20 March 2017he is the man who doesn't speak but obeys - pope francis - 19 march 2019 st joseph.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God, at the beginnings of our salvation, when Mary conceived your Son and brought Him forth into the world, you placed them under Joseph’s watchful care.   May his prayer still help Your Church to be an equally faithful guardian of Your mysteriest and a sign of Christ to mankind.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen.blessed-solemnity-of-st-joseph-19-march-2018 (1).jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 19 March – St Joseph be our Protector By St Pope John XXIII

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Our Morning Offering – 19 March – The Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of Fathers, Patron of the Dying, Patron of Workers. et al

St Joseph, be our Protector
By St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

St Joseph,
be always our protector.
That your internal spirit of peace,
silence, honest work and prayer
in the service of the Church
give us life and happiness
in union with your blessed Spouse,
our Sweet and Immaculate Mother
in the strong and mild love to Jesus,
Glorious and Immortal King
of the centuries and the people.
Amenst joseph be our protector - st pope john XXIII 19 march 2019.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Solemnity of St Joseph and Memorials of the Saints – 19 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Joseph (Solemnity)
St Joseph! – https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-the-solemnity-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-most-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-and-patron-of-the-universal-church/

St Adrian of Maastricht
St Alkmund of Northumbria
St Amantius of Wintershoven
Bl Andrea Gallerani
St Apollonius of Braga
St Auxilius of Ireland
Bl Clement of Dunblane
St Colocer of Saint-Brieuc
St Corbasius of Quimperlé
St Cuthbert of Brittany
St Gemus
Bl Isnard de Chiampo
Bl Jan Turchan
St John the Syrian of Pinna
St Lactali of Freshford
St Landoald of Maastricht
St Leontinus of Braga
St Leontinus of Saintes
Bl Marcel Callo (1921-1945) Martyr

Bl Mark of Montegallo
St Pancharius of Nicomedia
Bl Sibyllina Biscossi
—
Martyrs of Sorrento: A group of three sisters and a brother who were martyred together. We have little more than their names – Mark, Quartilla, Quintilla and Quintius. They were martyred in Sorrento, Italy, date unknown.
Mark
Quartilla
Quintilla
Quintius

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War
• Blessed Alberto Linares de La Pinta
• Blessed Jaume Trilla Lastra

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, NOVENAS, St JOSEPH

Novena to St Joseph – 11 March – Day One St Joseph, Powerful Intercessor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to St Joseph
By Fr Michael Gaitley, MIC1_St_Joseph_-_Time_to_Entrust.jpg

Day One
St Joseph, Powerful Intercessor

Dear St Joseph,

After Mary, you’re the most powerful intercessor before God.   In a sense, Jesus remains obedient to you and will listen to you as you bring my intentions to Him.   Because of this, I especially want to entrust myself to your fatherly care, just as Jesus Himself did. And while in the past, I may have brought to you one of my intentions here or there, this time I want to do something new.   This time, I want to give you all.   In other words, St Joseph, I’m not here to offer you a regular “novena” for just one of my intentions.   Rather, I want to forever entrust to you, all of my needs and cares, trusting that you will bring them, with Mary, to your Son, Jesus.

Dear St Joseph, as the best of fathers, as the one God chose to be the virginal father of Jesus, I believe that you know what I need better than I do myself.   So go ahead, St Joseph.   I give you permission to care for me as your child.   In doing so, I trust that you will do everything in your power to make my life into something beautiful for God.   I trust that you will watch over me and that your prayers will guide me, bless me and protect me.   I trust that you will now care for me with the same love and tenderness with which you cared for Jesus.   I’ll confirm this special relationship with you in nine days, when I make my prayer of consecration.

Saint Joseph, Powerful Intercessor, please pray for me and all my intentions.novena to st joseph day one - 11 march 2017.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, Uncategorized

Thought for the Day – 24 October – The Memorial of St Luigi Guanella (1842-1915)

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Thought for the Day – 24 October – The Memorial of St Luigi Guanella (1842-1915)

St Luigi and St Joseph – “The Pious Union of St Joseph”

In his daily life, Fr Guanella had a great devotion to St Joseph, custodial father of Jesus and safeguard of the virginity of Mary, his wife, the Mother of God.   He reminded his priests and nuns that St Joseph is the administrator of all their homes.   All superiors must have the love and care of St Joseph, as well as the kindness and gentleness of Mary, in dealing with the residents.

His love and care had no limit.   His dear impaired people were assisted to the very end. When he was home, it was his duty to give his blessing for the dying.   His motto was, “Let us give them bread and paradise” and this was implanted in the hearts of all his nuns and priests.

In Rome, six years before his death and physically tired by his work, Fr Guanella was inspired to build a Church and start an Association in honour of St Joseph, patron of the dying.   Pope Pius X, a very close friend, expressed a desire to have a church in Trionfale, a very poor area near the Vatican.   The Pope’s desire strengthened Fr Guanella’sown ideas.   Trusting to divine providence, he put a down payment on the land and the foundation was immediately begun.   On the property, there was a barn which became the first Chapel of St Joseph.   The people called it the ‘Basilichetta’ (small Basilica.)     In 1912, Fr Guanella announced to the Pope that the Church was completed in honour of St Joseph and His Holiness, whose baptismal name was Joseph Sarto.

The Pope admired Fr Guanella for his courage and devotion to St Joseph and when he heard about the Pious Union Association of prayers for the dying, he said to Fr Luigi, “Please make me the first member.”

PiusX

In 1913, Pope Pius X gave his approval, making the Church of the Pious Union the main centre for all the universal church.   His beloved Pope Pius X died in 1914, one year before Fr Guanella’s own death.   The two saints understood each other so well.

St Joseph, Pray for us!st joseph pray for us - 6 jan 2018

St Pope Pius X, Pray for Us!st-pius-x-pray-for-us-21 aug 2017 no 2

St Luigi Guanella, Pray for Us!st-luigi-guanella-pray-for-us-2

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church Go to Joseph

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Thought for the Day 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church

Go to Joseph

J O S E P H
By Fr Francis Peffley

J
Joseph the Just Man

St John Paul in his apostolic exhortation “The Guardian of the Redeemer” calls Joseph the just man.   What does that mean?   It means that he was a holy man.   A righteous man.  A man of honesty, integrity, and virtue.    St Joseph is the greatest and holiest saint after the Blessed Mother herself.   In fact, some of the Doctors of the Church said that there was no grace ever given to any of the Saints (except Mary) that was not given to St Joseph as well.

St. Thomas Aquinas says that God gives grace proportionate to our office and to our state in life.   So if you are a husband and father, you will be given the grace to be a holy husband and father.   When someone has been ordained a priest he will be given the grace to be a priest.   Think how much grace St Joseph received to be the foster father of the Son of God and the virginal spouse of the Immaculate Conception.   So St Joseph is that just man.   He is the greatest of Saints because he was the closest one to Jesus and to the Blessed Mother.

As fathers and husbands you are called to holiness ‑ an obligation of every member of the Church.   It is not just the priests and nuns but everyone who is called to holiness. Every single person has this vocation ‑ the universal call to holiness.   We should ask ourselves, “Am I developing the virtues that St. Joseph has? Am I developing the integrity and character of St. Joseph?”

O
Joseph the Obedient one.

Joseph was truly obedient to the will of God in his life.   The Angel said, “Have no fear about taking Mary to be your wife.”   As soon as Joseph knew God’s will for him, he obeyed.   When the angel told Joseph that Herod was planning to destroy the child, Joseph immediately got up and began the flight to Egypt.

Some people ask if St Joseph was old.   This is due to the apocryphal writings of the early church, ancient writings which were not divinely inspired, or approved by the Church as Sacred Scripture.   These ancient writings say that when Joseph married the Blessed Mother he was 89 years old and that he died at the age of 111.   There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that St Joseph was so old.   We can be assured that Mary didn’t have to push St Joseph in a wheel chair through the desert.   Actually, I believe that Joseph was young and strong.   Obviously older than the Blessed Mother;  perhaps in his 20s or 30s. He was her guardian and protector. Scripture speaks about Mary’s betrothal to a man named Joseph.   It does not say he was an old man, as Simeon or Zachary.   So Joseph wasn’t as old as some would like to claim him to be.   Even in the ancient catacomb of Priscilla, Joseph was drawn without a beard showing him to be a young man.

But Joseph was an obedient man.   Whenever he was warned in a dream he always obeyed the will of God.   He never questioned Divine Providence.   Even though Mary was 8 3/4 months pregnant, Joseph had to believe it was God’s will for them to leave Nazareth and go down to Bethlehem.   This was to fulfil the prophecy of Micah that the Saviour would be born in Bethlehem.   Joseph abandoned himself to the will of God.   Ask yourself these questions:   “Am I obedient to the will of God?   Am I obedient to the Ten Commandments?   Am I obedient to the teaching of Christ and the teachings of the Church on marriage and family life?”   Go to St. Joseph to become obedient sons of the Church.

S
Joseph the Silent One.

There are no recorded words of St Joseph in the entire Bible.   There are words in the Old Testament for the great patriarch that we can apply to St Joseph.   But in the New Testament there are no recorded words for St Joseph.   He’s always there, though, as a silent presence.   In fact, even his death is wrapped in silence.   There is no account as to how Joseph was buried.   He’s a man of silence.   A strong man.   A man with a deep interior life.   Silence in our life helps us develop a life of prayer.   Joseph was a man of prayer who listened to the word of God.   He was not distracted by the many exterior things ‑ he was always a man of interior life.   Why?   Because God lived in his very house.

We picture St Joseph as a silent worker, as a craftsman, who suffered in silence as well. He did not complain and he did not grow angry at God and say, “Why are you doing this, why do we have to flee to Egypt?”   He was a man who accepted these things in silence. We should ask ourselves, “Do I have enough silence in my life?   Do I spend enough time in prayer with Jesus?   Do I listen to Jesus when he speaks to me during the Sunday readings?   Do I spend time in the Blessed Sacrament chapel listening to Jesus who is truly present?   Do I use my speech for lying, gossiping or backbiting?   Or, do I truly follow St. Joseph by being a man of integrity and silence?”

E
Joseph the Example.

Imagine the kind of man Joseph was.   God the Father picked Joseph out of the whole human race to be the man to raise his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.   When you get a babysitter you don’t just pick anyone, even if it is for only a few hours.   Imagine entrusting your only son to the care of another person.   That is why adoption agencies have to be careful in selecting to whom they entrust other people’s children.   That is why God chose the very best.   He chose St Joseph to be a great example.

St Joseph was an example to Jesus in his words and in his actions.   He has been called the World’s Greatest Father.   Joseph was truly a father to Jesus in every way except for physical generation.   He was the father who taught Jesus how to speak, how to read and how to make doors and ploughs.   Note the example that St Joseph gave the Christ child and remember the saying, “Your example shouts so loudly I cannot hear what you say.” Isn’t that the way children look at their parents?   What was the example that St. Joseph gave to the Christ child?   He was the perfect example, the world’s greatest father, the educator of Jesus.

Joseph homeschooled Jesus and taught him the virtues.   This was the Son of God who always had the beatific vision but (as the catechism says) He had to grow in the experiential and had to develop as a boy develops.   Jesus looked up to St Joseph, even imitating his mannerisms.   Let us ask ourselves, “What examples are we giving? What example do you give to your wife? To your children?   Do you teach your children the faith? Do you study your own Catholic Faith by reading at least 10 ‑ 20 minutes every day?   Do you make good use of your travel time to deepen your faith, so you can be a good example to your wife and children?   Do you go on retreats?   Are you living out your vocation as leader of your family?”

P
Joseph the Protector and Patron.

St Joseph is our benefactor who prays for us.   Joseph is the patron Saint of fathers, husbands and workers.   We should always pray that we will have the same kind of death that St Joseph had, dying in the arms of Jesus and Mary.   He is the patron Saint of a happy death, which means dying in the arms of Jesus and Mary and Holy Mother Church.   Go to St. Joseph for the grace of a happy death.

He is also the patron Saint of the universal Church.   Everything that St Joseph did for Jesus he now does for the Church.   Why?   Because the Catholic Church is the mystical body of Christ himself.   The Blessed Mother is the mother of the Church and St Joseph is the foster father and guardian of the Church.

St Joseph lately has become the patron Saint of selling houses.   I have to wonder about Aunt Selma selling her house by burying a statue of St Joseph facing east.   I have to wonder if that is what God really wants us to do.   If you want to sell your house, place a statue of St. Joseph on your mantle and do a nine-day novena to him.   You don’t have to suffocate the guy!   Keep him there and ask his intercession.   He will help you sell your house or keep your job in every way.   Remember that Joseph is the protector and the guardian of the whole Church, as well as ourselves as individuals.   Ask yourself the question, “Do I pray to St. Joseph every day?   Do I pray to him for a happy death?”   Pray to him for your whole family that you will have a happy death.   And ask St. Joseph to help you protect your family from all the immorality on TV or in the media.

H
St Joseph the Helper of the Blessed Mother.

St Joseph was the virginal spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.   In God’s plan of salvation he was a loving husband, kind, considerate, affectionate and self-sacrificing.   St Joseph had an awesome responsibility with the Blessed Virgin.   They worked as a team.   St Joseph had the responsibility for spiritual leadership since he was the head of the family. God’s message from the angel was revealed to him even though the Blessed Mother was much holier through her Immaculate Conception.   Obviously, Jesus as the Son of God and creator was far greater but St. Joseph was chosen because he was the head of that family, just as every one of you is the spiritual head of your family.

Joseph and Mary worked as a team.   Remember TEAM spells “Together Everyone Achieves More.”   Develop teamwork with your wife.   I love the story that Zig Zigler tells of courtship after marriage using the example of Belgian horses.   These huge Belgian horses could only pull 8,000 pounds individually.   But when they are harnessed together, two horses working together can pull 32,000 pounds of weight.   Isn’t that amazing?   It almost defies every law of mathematics.   So when you are joined with your spouse in an effort to move your family towards God, you will accomplish much more than if you were to do it individually.   Ask yourself this question, “Am I a helper to my spouse?” Your vocation is really to get your spouse and your children to Heaven.   This is your ultimate vocation in life.

Let us reflect on St Joseph:  that Just man, that loving leader, that Obedient man;   let us reflect on his Silence, his Example and his Patronage of our own lives and of the Church, and let us to try to imitate St Joseph the Helper of Mary.

God bless you.

Happy and Blessed Solemnity of the Great St Joseph!blessed solemnity of st joseph - 19 march 2018

Fr Francis Peffley currently serves as parochial vicar at Saint John the Apostle in Leesburg, Virginia.

 

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church

Joseph, her husband, was an upright man...Matthew 1:19joseph her husband - matthew 1 19

REFLECTION – Saint Joseph was the just man by his constant fidelity, an effect of justice; by his perfect discretion, a sister to prudence; by his upright conduct, a mark of strength and by his inviolable chastity, a flower of temperance…St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Doctor of the Churchst joseph was the just man - st albert the great - 19 march 2018

PRAYER – Almighty God, at the beginning of our salvation, when Mary conceived Your Son and brought Him forth into the world, You placed them under Joseph’s watchful care. May his prayer still guide us and help Your Church, to be an equally faithful guardian of Your Mysteries and a sign of Christ to mankind. Through Your Son, our Saviour, in unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st joseph pray for us - 19 march 2018

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of Fathers, Patron of the Dying

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Our Morning Offering – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Guardian of Jesus and Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of Fathers, Patron of the Dying, Patron of Workers. et al

Joseph, wise ruler of God’s earthly household

Joseph, wise ruler of God’s earthly household,
nearest of all men to the heart of Jesus,
be still a father, lovingly providing
for us, His brethren.

Saint strong and manly, chosen by the Father,
as trusted guardian of the Son eternal,
guide us as once you guided Wisdom’s footsteps
with sure direction.

Husband of Mary, loving and beloved,
teach us the joy of love so pure and holy,
warming our hearts with love
for God’s own Mother by your example.

Saint of the dying, blest with Mary’s presence,
in death you rested in the arms of Jesus;
so at our ending, Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
come to assist us!joseph wise ruler of god's earthly household - 19 march 2018

Posted in A HOLY DEATH & AGAINST A SUDDEN DEATH, of the DYING, DEATH of CHILDREN, DEATH of PARENTS, ACCOUNTANTS, MONEY MANAGERS etc, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, PATRONAGE - CARPENTERS, WOODWORKERS, JOINERS, CABINETMMAKERS, PATRONAGE - CHEFS and/or BAKERS, CONFECTIONERS, PATRONAGE - EMMIGRANTS / IMMIGRANTS, PATRONAGE - HAPPY MARRIAGES, of MARRIED COUPLES, PATRONAGE - HOUSE HUNTERS, HOUSE SELLERS, PATRONAGE - LAWYERS / NOTARIES, PATRONAGE - of BASKET-WEAVERS, CRAFTSMEN, PATRONAGE - of MOTHERS, MOTHERHOOD, PATRONAGE - ORPHANS,ABANDONED CHILDREN, PATRONAGE - PARENTS / FAMILIES / LARGE FAMILIES, PATRONAGE - PREGNANCY, PATRONAGE - TEACHERS, LECTURERS, INSTRUCTORS, PATRONAGE - THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, PATRONAGE - WORKERS, PATRONAGE-ENGINEERS, Electrical, Mechanical etc, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Saint of the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Patron of the Universal Church

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Saint of the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Patron of the Universal Church.   The name ‘Joseph’ means “whom the Lord adds”.   Patronages • against doubt and hesitation • accountants • all the legal professions • bursars • cabinetmakers • carpenters • cemetery workers • children • civil engineers • confectioners • craftsmen • the dying • teachers • emigrants • exiles • expectant mothers • families • fathers • furniture makers • grave diggers • happy death • holy death • house hunters • immigrants • joiners • labourers • married couples • orphans • against Communism • pioneers • pregnant women • social justice • teachers • travellers • the unborn • wheelwrights • workers • workers • Catholic Church • Oblates of Saint Joseph • for protection of the Church • Universal Church • Vatican II • Americas • Austria • Belgium • Bohemia • Canada • China • Croatian people • Korea • Mexico • New France • New World • Peru • Philippines • Vatican City • VietNam • Canadian Armed Forces • Papal States • 46 dioceses • 26 cities • states and regions.

St Joseph is invoked as patron for many causes.   He is the patron of the Universal Church. He is the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed.   He is also the patron of fathers, of carpenters and of social justice.   Many religious orders and communities are placed under his patronage.

St Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father of Jesus, was probably born in Bethlehem and probably died in Nazareth.   His important mission in God’s plan of salvation was “to legally insert Jesus Christ into the line of David from whom, according to the prophets, the Messiah would be born, and to act as his father and guardian” (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy).   Most of our information about St. Joseph comes from the opening two chapters of St Matthew’s Gospel.   No words of his are recorded in the Gospels;  he was the “silent” man.   We find no devotion to St Joseph in the early Church.   It was the will of God that the Virgin Birth of Our Lord be first firmly impressed upon the minds of the faithful.   He was later venerated by the great saints of the Middle Ages.   Pius IX (1870) declared him patron and protector of the universal family of the Church.

st-joseph-patron-of-the-church-unknown-19th-century-italy
Unknown artist, 19th century, Italian

St Joseph was an ordinary manual labourer although descended from the royal house of David.   In the designs of Providence he was destined to become the spouse of the Mother of God.   His high privilege is expressed in a single phrase, “Foster-father of Jesus.”   About him Sacred Scripture has little more to say than that he was a just man-an expression which indicates how faithfully he fulfilled his high trust of protecting and guarding God’s greatest treasures upon earth, Jesus and Mary.

The darkest hours of his life may well have been those when he first learned of Mary’s pregnancy;  but precisely in this time of trial Joseph showed himself great.   His suffering, which likewise formed a part of the work of the redemption, was not without great providential import:  Joseph was to be, for all times, the trustworthy witness of the Messiah’s virgin birth.   After this, he modestly retires into the background of holy Scripture.

dream of st joseph

Of St Joseph’s death the Bible tells us nothing.   There are indications, however, that he died before the beginning of Christ’s public life.   His was the most beautiful death that one could have, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.   Humbly and unknown, he passed his years at Nazareth, silent and almost forgotten he remained in the background through centuries of Church history.   Only in more recent times has he been accorded greater honour.   Liturgical veneration of St Joseph began in the fifteenth century, fostered by Sts Brigid of Sweden and Bernadine of Siena.   St Teresa of Avila, too, did much to further his cult.

At present there are two major feasts in his honour.   Today 19 our veneration is directed to him personally and to his part in the work of redemption and is his main Feast and a Solemnity in the Universal Church, while on 1 May we honour him as the patron of workmen throughout the world and as our guide in the difficult matter of establishing equitable norms regarding obligations and rights in the social order….Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parschj m and joseph

COLLECT PRAYER

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession Your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings You entrusted to his faithful care.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.