DAY 7: 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 7 REFLECTION: “SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH”

In the year 1870, St. Joseph was declared “Patron of the Universal Church” by Pope Pius IX in his decree “Quemadmodum Deus”: “As almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time had come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Saviour of the world, He chose another Joseph, of whom the first had been the type, and He made him the lord and chief of His household and possessions, the guardian of His choicest treasures.” This decree of the Holy Father was as a result of the troublesome times of the nineteenth century when the Church was beset by enemies on every side and is weighed down by calamities so heavy that ungodly men began to assert that the gates of hell have at length prevailed against her, as a result, the venerable prelates of the whole Catholic world have presented to the Sovereign Pontiff their own petitions and those of the faithful committed to their charge, praying that he would deign to constitute St. Joseph Patron of the Church, as reflected in the Papal decree. The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Pius IX also ordered that his feast on March 19th be henceforth celebrated as a double of the first class, without any Octave, however, because of Lent.

As a follow-up, in 1889, Pope Leo XIII issued an encyclical, emphasizing the importance of Saint Joseph in the life of the Church; he writes: “The Blessed Patriarch looks upon the multitude of Christians who make up the Church as confided specially to his trust—this limitless family spread over the earth, over which, because he is the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus Christ he holds, as it were, a paternal authority. It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.” 100 years later, in the encyclical “Redemptoris Custos”, Pope St. John Paul II called on the Christian faithful to trust in Joseph’s patronage and to “always keep before their eyes his humble, mature way of serving and of ‘taking part’ in the plan of salvation.”

Dear friends in Christ, the world we live in today is filled with miseries and challenges which would make stronger hearts than ours quake with fear. Unfortunately, in our age and time, many challenges, especially the present pandemic of COVID-19, continue to threaten the Church of Christ and the faith of her members; nevertheless, since the primary role of a patron is to lend credibility and support, the Church continues to draw her support and vigour from the paternal care and intercession of St. Joseph. Little wonder Pope Francis was inspired to declare the “Year of St. Joseph” (Dec. 8, 2020 – Dec. 8, 2021) in his Apostolic Letter, “Patris Corde,” recognizing those who have worked in the shadows and sacrificed their lives for the wellbeing of others as Joseph did in the critical and turbulent moments of the Holy Family; thus, calling the faithful to have recourse to Saint joseph and grow in devotion to him. Therefore, in praying for the Church, we should remember to seek the intercession of St. Joseph.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you promised to be with your Church until the end of time. Whenever our faith is threatened by the difficulties of the modern world, grant us the grace to always trust in your promise, and be strengthened by the constant intercessions of St. Joseph in heaven. Amen.

👏🏼👏🏼 Great job praying Day 7! Click here for Day 8 Prayer👏🏼👏🏼

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