St. Joseph's Day - (transferred) Patron of the Universal Church

TRIALS AND CONSOLATIONS (Luke 1:6; Matth 1: 18-25)

[After the circumcision of the Forerunner], Mary returned to Nazareth. Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as His Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, (Espousals were celebrated among the Jews a year before the marriage. The bond that united the betrothed pair was so sacred that they were spoken of as husband and wife: to break this bond a bill of repudiation was necessary as in the case of an actual marriage) before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately (A word from Mary could have turned to joy the anguish of her chaste spouse. This word she did not speak, too humble to proclaim the secret of heaven with her own mouth. She contented herself with pouring out prayers and tears into the bosom of the Father of all consolation, confided that the Holy Spirit who had revealed to the mother of John the Baptist the whole mystery of the Incarnation, would enlighten Joseph when the time appointed by divine Wisdom had arrived). But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: "Joseph son of David fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins."
Now all this was done that might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the Prophet, saying: "Behold a Virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son and they shall call His nameGod with us" (Note: In this name Emmanuel the twofold nature of the Saviour is revealed: God and man, in one person).
And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as Angel of the Lord has commanded him and took unto him his wife. And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born Son; (Note:Among Jews the son of any woman who had not yet been a mother, was called the First-born, even if he remained the only son. This name was a token that he was bound by the law of the Presentation in the Temple, and it conferred on him special privileges.) and he called His name Jesus.

Credits: "The Four Gospels Harmonized" by the Rev. Canon Alfred Weber

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Feast of St Joseph (transferred from 19 March)

Let me present today the most popular Catholic devotion to St Joseph, devotion to his Seven Sorrows and Joys. This beautiful devotion allows us to contemplate on the entire life of the Holy Family before and after birth of Our Lord.

The history of this devotion is as follows:
Two Fathers of the Franciscan order were sailing along the coast of Flanders, when a terrible tempest arose, which sank the vessel, with its three hundred passengers. The two Fathers had sufficient presence of mind to seize hold of a plank, upon which they were tossed to and fro upon the waves, for three days and nights. In their danger and affliction, their whole recourse was to St. Joseph, begging his assistance in their sad condition. The Saint, thus invoked, appeared in the habit of a young man of beautiful features, encouraged them to confide in his assistance, and, as their pilot, conducted them into a safe harbor. They, desirous to know who their benefactor was asked his name, that they might gratefully acknowledge so great a blessing and favor. He told them he was St. Joseph, and advised them daily to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary seven times, in memory of his seven dolors or griefs, and of his seven joys, and then disappeared.
credit: Catholic Culture

1. St. JOSEPH, Chaste Spouse of the Holy Mother of God, by the SORROW with which thy heart was pierced at the thought of a cruel separation from Mary,

and by the deep JOY that thou didst feel when the angel revealed to thee the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, obtain for us from Jesus and Mary, the grace of surmounting all anxiety. Win for us from the Adorable Heart of Jesus the unspeakable peace of which He is the Eternal Source.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

2. St. JOSEPH, Foster-Father of Jesus, by the bitter SORROW which thy heart experienced in seeing the Child Jesus lying in a manger,

and by the JOY which thou didst feel in seeing the Wise men recognize and adore Him as their God, obtain by thy prayers that our heart, purified by thy protection, may become a living crib, where the Savior of the world may receive and bless our homage.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

3. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW with which thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Blood which flowed from the Infant Jesus in the Circumcision,

and by the JOY that inundated thy soul at thy privilege of imposing the sacred and mysterious Name of Jesus, obtain for us that the merits of this Precious Blood may be applied to our souls, and that the Divine Name of Jesus may be engraved forever in our hearts.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

4. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW when the Lord declared that the soul of Mary would be pierced with a sword of sorrow,

and by thy JOY when holy Simeon added that the Divine Infant was to be the resurrection of many, obtain for us the grace to have compassion on the sorrows of Mary, and share in the salvation which Jesus brought to the earth.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

5. St. JOSEPH, by thy SORROW when told to fly into Egypt,

and by thy JOY in seeing the idols overthrown at the arrival of the living God,grant that no idol of earthly affection may any longer occupy our hearts, but being like thee entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary, we may live and happily die for them alone.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

6. St. JOSEPH, by the SORROW of thy heart caused by the fear of the tyrant Archelaus

and by the JOY in sharing the company of Jesus and Mary at Nazareth, obtain for us, that disengaged from all fear, we may enjoy the peace of a good conscience and may live in security, in union with Jesus and Mary, experiencing the effect of thy salutary assistance at the hour of our death.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

7. St. JOSEPH, by the bitter SORROW with which the loss of the Child Jesus crushed thy heart,

and by the holy JOY which inundated thy soul in recovering thy Treasure on entering the Temple, we supplicate thee not to permit us to lose our Saviour Jesus by sin. Yet, should this misfortune befall us, grant that we may share thy eagerness in seeking Him, and obtain for us the grace to find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass from this life to enjoy His presence in heaven, there to sing with thee His divine mercies forever.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be

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