Day 16 - Consecration to St. Joseph

 Consecration to St. Joseph - Day 16 of Preparation


Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us

The Church teaches that St. Joseph is the holiest human person after Mary and the "Most Just" of all the saints. The virtue of justice disposes a person to always give God and others their due. In all sorts of events, whether advantageous or adverse, St. Joseph always did the will of God and perfectly exercised the virtue of justice. St. Francis de Sales wrote, "To be just is to be perfectly united to the Divine Will, and to be always conformed to it in all sorts of events, whether prosperous or adverse. That St. Joseph was this, no one can doubt."

When Saint Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, but he did not doubt her purity and innocence. Instead, he doubted his worthiness and ability to take care of Mary and the child. A just man, he knew that Mary belonged to God and he considered himself unworthy of living with Mary. He decided to separate himself from her quietly out of justice to God and reverence for Mary. He was willing to leave the picture so as not to reveal her mystery. 

For St. Joseph, being a just man meant he observed the dictates of the Jewish religion. This required him to travel to Jerusalem three times a year — a long distance from Nazareth — and participate in various rituals and ceremonies. Fr. Calloway asks us if we spend one hour a week thanking God and worshipping him when churches are only minutes away from our homes. If we are not carrying out this privilege and responsibility, are we loving God or giving God his due? 

1. Watch: the video below.
2. PRAY: The Litany of St. Joseph (below)
3. READ: Day 16 - Joseph Most Just, Pray for Us
4. PRAY: The Memorare to St. Joseph (below)
5. READ: “Just and Reverent Man"

*Video of Fr. Calloway:
 https://youtu.be/uLqEo-x8RqY

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Noble Offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster-Father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph Most Just, pray for us.
Joseph Most Chaste, pray for us.
Joseph Most Prudent, pray for us.
Joseph Most Courageous, pray for us.
Joseph Most Obedient, pray for us.
Joseph Most Faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of Patience, pray for us.
Lover of Poverty, pray for us.
Model of Workmen, pray for us.
Glory of Domestic Life, pray for us.
Guardian of Virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of Families, pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the Sick, pray for us.
Patron of the Dying, pray for us.
Terror of Demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.

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

V. He has made him lord of his household,
R. And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray.
O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

THE MEMORARE to St. Joseph
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never has it been known that anyone who asked for your help and sought your intercession was left unaided. Full of confidence in your power, I hasten to you, and beg your protection. Listen, O foster-father of the Redeemer, to my humble prayer, and in your goodness hear and answer me. Amen.

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You can order Fr. Donald Calloway’s book here:  www.consecrationtostjoseph.org. His book is also available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle (and Barnes and Noble, Nook) eBook. The link to purchase an ebook is here: www.tinyurl.com/1lfccu9m


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