DAY 1: SEVEN (7) SORROWS AND JOYS OF SAINT JOSEPH // REFLECTION ON SAINT JOSEPH

1. Leader: Chaste Lover of Mary, how overwhelmed you were when you thought that you would have to end your betrothal to her. But when the angel of God came to you in a dream, you were filled with awe to realize that Mary would be your wife, and you would be the guardian of the Messiah.

All: Help us, St. Joseph, help our families and all our loved ones to overcome all sadness of heart and develop an absolute trust in God’s goodness.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

2. Leader: Faithful guardian of Jesus, what a failure you thought you were when you could only provide a stable for the birth of the Holy Child. And then what a wonder it was when shepherds came to tell of angel choirs, and wise men came to adore the King of Kings.

All: Through your example and prayers, help us St. Joseph and all we love to become like sinless mangers where the Savior of the world may be received with absolute love and respect.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

3. Leader: Tender-hearted Joseph, you too felt pain when the blood of Jesus was first shed at His circumcision. Yet how proud you were to be the one privileged to give the name Jesus, Savior, to the very Son of God.

All: Pray for us St. Joseph, that the sacred blood of Christ, poured out for our salvation, may guard our families, so the Divine Name of Jesus may be written in our hearts forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

4. Leader: Joseph, loving husband, how bewildered you were when Simeon spoke the words of warning that the hearts of Jesus and Mary would be pierced with sorrows. Yet his prediction that this would lead to the salvation of innumerable souls filled you with consolation.

All: Help us, St. Joseph, to see with eyes of faith that even the sorrows and pains of those we deeply love can become the pathway to salvation and eternal life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

5. Leader: Courageous protector of the Holy Family, how terrified you were when you had to make the sudden flight with Jesus and Mary to escape the treachery of King Herod and the cruelty of his soldiers. But when you reached Egypt, what satisfaction you had to know that the Savior of the world had come to replace the pagan idols.

All: Teach us by your example, St. Joseph, to keep far from the false idols of earthly attractions, so that like you, we may be entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

6. Leader: Ever-obedient Joseph, you trustingly returned to Nazareth at God’s command, in spite of your fear that King Herod’s son might still be a threat to Jesus’ life. Then what fatherly pride you had in seeing Jesus grow in wisdom and grace before God and men under your care.

All: Show us, St. Joseph, how to be free from all useless fear and worry, so we may enjoy the peace of a tranquil conscience, living safely with Jesus and Mary in our hearts.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

7. Leader: Dependable father and husband, how frantic you and Mary were when, through no fault of yours, you searched for three days to find Jesus. What incredible relief was yours when you found Him safe in the Temple of God.

All: Help us, St. Joseph, never to lose Jesus through the fault of our own sins. But if we should lose Him, lead us back with unwearied sorrow, until we find Him again; so that we, like you, may finally pass from this life, dying safely in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

Leader: Pray for us, o holy Joseph.

All: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: O blessed St. Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray and beseech you to offer to God the Father my praise to Him through his divine Son, who died on the cross and rose again to give us sinners new life. Through the holy name of Jesus, pray with us that we may obtain from the eternal Father, the favour we ask . . . (make your request) . . . We have been unfaithful to the unfailing love of God the Father; beg of Jesus mercy for us. Amid the splendours of God’s loving presence, do not forget the sorrows of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep. By your prayers and those of your most holy spouse, our Blessed Lady, may the love of Jesus answer our call of confident hope. Amen.

DAY 1 REFLECTION: “JOSEPH: A HOMELESS MAN, MIGRANT, A POLITICAL REFUGEE, UNEMPLOYED…”

Sufferings, difficulties, homelessness, insecurity, joblessness, etc. could be said to characterize the life of St. Joseph in spite of his trust in divine providence. When Joseph arrived at Bethlehem from Nazareth with his pregnant wife (cf. Lk. 2:1-20), he was obviously a homeless man. He felt insecure and probably ashamed; he had nowhere to stay. The same was the case when, in order to save the life of the Son of God and his Mother and support them (cf. Mat. 2:13-15), he had to flee to a foreign country – Egypt. Needless to say, he was a migrant with Jesus and Mary, a forced migrant, a “political” migrant, exiled, a persecuted “politician”. In Egypt, he had nowhere to put his family and he experienced homelessness; without food, without work, without understanding the language and the foreign way of life. He felt the hardship of looking for a future far from his land, and inasmuch as the motivation was to save the Child and His Mother, he experienced poverty, insecurity, and doubt. However, with the sweat on his forehead and his work, he later managed to give dignity to his family. Joseph of Nazareth went through all these experiences, which many refugees go through bitterly today.

The family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is the archetype of every refugee family. This family remains for all times and all places, the model and protectors of every migrant, pilgrims and refugees of whatever kind who, whether compelled by fear of persecution or by want, is forced to leave their native land, parents and relatives, friends, in seeking a foreign soil and better life. Unfortunately, today, there are millions of refugees and displaced persons who are constantly migrating for different reasons – especially for economic motives, political motives, motives of war, etc. Migration generates widespread poverty, unemployment, homeless people with no certainty and future, in addition to despair and hunger; such that we can only imagine the great difficulties in the life of a refugee and migrant. Amidst these difficulties, St. Joseph becomes a model of hard work, perseverance and total trust and dependence in divine providence. He remains a great icon and close to our migrants, the homeless, political refugees, and the unemployed.

Above all, through the difficult experiences of St. Joseph, we are called to show see Christ in every migrant and refugee, and show love to them. Pope John Paul II (in his address to the Participants in the Assembly of the Council of the ICMC, 12 November 2001) invites us to an ever deeper awareness of the mission of the Catholic Church: “to see Christ in every brother and sister in need, to proclaim and defend the dignity of every migrant, every displaced person and every refugee. In this way, assistance given will not be considered alms from the goodness of our heart, but an act of justice due to them.”

Prayer: O Saint Joseph, our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother were with you throughout your migration from place to place in search of refuge, safety and security; grant us the grace to always see our Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of our suffering brothers and sisters exiled from their homeland in seeking refuge in another land; and through your powerful intercession, may refugees and migrants find trust, solace and support in divine providence. Amen.

👏🏼👏🏼 Great job praying Day 1! Click here for Day 2 Prayer👏🏼👏🏼

Shalom!
© By Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora da Immaculada Conceição, Paulo Ramos, Maranhão, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
___________________________________
PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?

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Chinaka Justin Mbaeri

A staunch Roman Catholic and an Apologist of the Christian faith. More about him here.

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126 Comments
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Veronica Ofuani
Veronica Ofuani
2 years ago

Thanks so much Fada for this platform with many heart lifting prayers to keep us going through life challenges. St Joseph pray for us.

Jennifer
Jennifer
2 years ago

Dear St Joseph, help us to be like Christlike in our dealings with others especially the underprivileged. Amen.

Michael Umande
Michael Umande
2 years ago

Dear St. Joseph
You remain a symbol of hope to all migrants and all those who find themselves in a strange and difficult state of life. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Nneka
Nneka
2 years ago

Pray for us st Joseph that we may made promises of our God Amen

Emeka Odugu
Emeka Odugu
2 years ago

St Joseph, husband of Mary and guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us that like you, we may dedicate ourselves totally to the interest of the Saviour.

Adaeze
Adaeze
2 years ago

St. Joseph, pray for us. Amen.

Lawrence Okonofua
Lawrence Okonofua
1 year ago

St. Joseph, may we draw inspiration from your life and see dignity in each person God brings to our path.

Eghe
Eghe
1 year ago

Amen. St. Joseph pray for us

Roselyn Demawa
Roselyn Demawa
1 year ago

St Joseph pray for us.

Chinwe Ibe
Chinwe Ibe
1 year ago

St Joseph, pray and intercede for us all ‘refugees’ in our own Land

Mojisola
Mojisola
1 year ago

Amen

Bridget ighodalo
Bridget ighodalo
1 year ago

Oh St Joseph spouse of the BVM Pray for us Amen

Ngosoo Perpetua Chia
Ngosoo Perpetua Chia
1 year ago

Saint Joseph Pray for us Amen i

Christie Dada
Christie Dada
1 year ago

St Joseph Terror of demons. Pray for us

Njideka ihionu
Njideka ihionu
1 year ago

Oh St Joseph.. plebase come to our aid in this country Nigeria give us our leader Peter Obi.
Give me Grace to testify in this Novena
Promotion in my work and rewrite my storyline in my office
Give peace progress and understanding in my family
Bless the works of our hands Biko
Bring my son Oliverjude ihionu to God
Give good husbands to my daughters queen and zaram
Blolumess my priests everywhere..fr Cjay, Simon and all Osj priests.
St Joseph I ayom gi Nuru

Emeka Alu
Emeka Alu
1 year ago

Amen.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

St Joseph, pray for us

Stella Ogbakpah
Stella Ogbakpah
1 year ago

May St. Joseph give us the grace to see Christ in every brother and sister in need, to proclaim and defend the dignity of every migrant, displaced Parson and refugee in Jesus name, Amen. Thanks Fr. Chinaka for this wonderful prayers on St Joseph.

Ayo-Ogbor Augustina
Ayo-Ogbor Augustina
1 year ago

St Joseph help us to be Christ like Amen

Felicity
Felicity
1 year ago

Amen

Chukwudi Raphael
Chukwudi Raphael
1 year ago

Amen.
St. Joseph the worker, Pray for us

Borogo Gladys
Borogo Gladys
1 year ago

St. Joseph may will be like you in all your perseverance. Amen

Eberechukwu
Eberechukwu
1 year ago

Pray for us,st Joseph

Ayaka Daniel
Ayaka Daniel
1 year ago

Amen

Okpalike-Onyebueke Chiamaka Rose-Rita
Okpalike-Onyebueke Chiamaka Rose-Rita
1 year ago

Dear st Joseph,

Help us to keep us to our christian life and faith

Leticia Otomewo
Leticia Otomewo
1 year ago

St Joseph… Please Pray for me and my family, Amen!

Igbenije Patience
Igbenije Patience
1 year ago

St Joseph
Pray for us

Hanim
Hanim
1 year ago

May St. Joseph intercede for us and may God grant our intentions through Christ or Lord.
Amen

Markus dauda
Markus dauda
1 year ago

Pray for us st Joseph…

Regina Ikpeni
Regina Ikpeni
1 year ago

Thank you Father Chinaka for all these wonderful prayers and reflections

Grace Orpin
Grace Orpin
1 year ago

Amen

Victoria Agbonyeme
Victoria Agbonyeme
1 year ago

May st. Joseph intercede for us. Amen.

Magdalene Omono
Magdalene Omono
1 year ago

St Joseph pray for us.

Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
1 year ago

Oh Saint Joseph,pray for Us

Priscilla Ugbir
Priscilla Ugbir
1 year ago

St Joseph pray for us

Akujieze Mary-Ann
Akujieze Mary-Ann
1 year ago

Amen and Amen

Maryjoy Ifeyinwa.
Maryjoy Ifeyinwa.
1 year ago

St Joseph, wonderful guardian of infant Jesus, pray for us!!!

Cecilia Anazodo
Cecilia Anazodo
1 year ago

Amen

Dorothy Abaver
Dorothy Abaver
1 year ago

St Joseph pray for us

Margaret
Margaret
1 year ago

Amen

Juliet Arinze
Juliet Arinze
1 year ago

Amen

Sabina Onyebi
Sabina Onyebi
1 year ago

Amen.

Margaret orevaoghene
Margaret orevaoghene
1 year ago

May the Lord bless Frank and Margaret with a home like the holy family through Christ our Lord Amen

Abuo Felicia Effah
Abuo Felicia Effah
1 year ago

As i seek refuge in God……St Joseph pls continue to intercede for me and my family. Amen

Linda John Ojeyokan
Linda John Ojeyokan
1 year ago

St Joseph….pray for us
Amen

Grace Wanan Ityosaa
Grace Wanan Ityosaa
1 year ago

Amen

Ugochukwu Oliver
Ugochukwu Oliver
1 year ago

Amen

Angela Igbinazaka
Angela Igbinazaka
1 year ago

Indeed St Joseph is a top model to Emulate especially in our time when no one seems to care for the migrants and refugees. ST JOSEPH PRAY FOR US!

Nwaogu
Nwaogu
1 year ago

Amen

Adaeze
Adaeze
1 year ago

Amen

126
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