SAINT JOSEPH NOVENA - DAY 8

On the eighth day of our Novena, let us ask Saint Joseph to teach us to love and value work.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to Saint Joseph - spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church   To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, keep away every contagion of error and corrupting influence from us; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle against the power of darkness. As you once rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

MEDITATIONS Today, we begin the month of May with a liturgical memorial very dear to the Christian people: that of Saint Joseph the Worker; and you know that my name is Joseph... It is necessary to witness in contemporary society to the "Gospel of work," of which Pope Saint John Paul II spoke in his Encyclical Laborem Exercens. I hope that work will be available, especially for young people, and that working conditions may be ever more respectful of the dignity of the human person. (Benedict XVI, Regina Caeli May 1, 2005) It is necessary to live a spirituality that helps believers to sanctify themselves through their work, imitating Saint Joseph, who had to provide with his own hands for the daily needs of the Holy Family and whom, consequently, the Church holds up as Patron of workers. His witness shows that man is the subject and protagonist of work. I would like to entrust to Saint Joseph those young people who are finding integration into the working world difficult, the unemployed and everyone who is suffering hardship due to the widespread employment crisis. Together with Mary, his Spouse, may Saint Joseph watch over all workers and obtain serenity and peace for families and for the whole of humanity. May Christians, looking at this great Saint, learn to witness in every working environment to the love of Christ, the source of true solidarity and lasting peace. Amen! (Benedict XVI, Homily, March 19, 2006)

Saint Joseph, patron of workers, pray for us. Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be ...

Prayer of Pope Francis Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation. Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so that they might know - as you do - how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility. Grant intelligence of knowledge to those seeking adequate means for the health and physical well-being of their brothers and sisters. Sustain those who are dedicating their efforts to serve those in need, even at the cost of their own safety: the volunteers, nurses, and doctors working on the front lines in tending to the sick. O Saint Joseph, bless the Church: beginning with her ministers, make her the sign and instrument of your light and your goodness. O Saint Joseph, protect our families: with your prayerful silence, create harmony between parents and their children, especially with the youngest. Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one might be left in desperation from abandonment and discouragement. Comfort those who are the most frail, encourage those who falter, intercede for the poor. With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world from every form of pandemic. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "O admirable prodigy! He is nourished by the work of Joseph, He who, from his own wealth, satisfies the hungry. Through Joseph's work He can eat his bread on earth, He who lives in Heaven without any need and who says: ‘I am the living bread that came down from Heaven.’ In fact, because He came down from heaven, He must be nourished and sustained on earth by Joseph's work." (C­ardinal Pierre d'Ailly)

SAINT JOSEPH NOVENA - DAY 7

On the seventh day of our Novena, let us ask Saint Joseph to protect our families.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to Saint Joseph - spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church   To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, keep away every contagion of error and corrupting influence from us; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle against the power of darkness. As you once rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

MEDITATION Saint Joseph’s greatness, like Mary's, stands out even more because his mission was carried out in the humility and hiddenness of the house of Nazareth. Moreover, God himself, in the person of his Incarnate Son, chose this way and style of life—humility and hiddenness—in his earthly existence. From the example of Saint Joseph we all receive a strong invitation to carry out with fidelity, simplicity and modesty the task that Providence has entrusted to us. I think especially of fathers and mothers of families, and I pray that they will always be able to appreciate the beauty of a simple and industrious life, cultivating the conjugal relationship with care and fulfilling with enthusiasm the great and difficult educational mission. (Benedict XVI, Angelus, March 19, 2006)

Saint Joseph, head of the Holy Family, pray for us. Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be ...

Prayer of Pope Francis Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation. Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so that they might know - as you do - how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility. Grant intelligence of knowledge to those seeking adequate means for the health and physical well-being of their brothers and sisters. Sustain those who are dedicating their efforts to serve those in need, even at the cost of their own safety: the volunteers, nurses, and doctors working on the front lines in tending to the sick. O Saint Joseph, bless the Church: beginning with her ministers, make her the sign and instrument of your light and your goodness. O Saint Joseph, protect our families: with your prayerful silence, create harmony between parents and their children, especially with the youngest. Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one might be left in desperation from abandonment and discouragement. Comfort those who are the most frail, encourage those who falter, intercede for the poor. With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world from every form of pandemic. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "As the cult of Saint Joseph grows among the faithful, we can expect to see their devotion to the Holy Family of Nazareth, of which he was the august head, increase at the same time. Indeed, each of these two devotions comes out of the other quite naturally, like its flower. Joseph brings us directly to Mary and Mary brings us to the source of all holiness, Jesus." (Benedict XV)

He who finds Mary finds life

God wishes to reveal Mary, his masterpiece, and make her more known in these latter times: (1) Because she kept herself hidden in this world and in her great humility considered herself lower than dust, having obtained from God, his apostles and evangelists the favor of being made known. (2) Because, as Mary is not only God's masterpiece of glory in heaven, but also his masterpiece of grace on earth, he wishes to be glorified and praised because of her by those living upon earth. (3) Since she is the dawn which precedes and discloses the Sun of Justice Jesus Christ, she must be known and acknowledged so that Jesus may be known and acknowledged. (4) As she was the way by which Jesus first came to us, she will again be the way by which he will come to us the second time though not in the same manner. (5) Since she is the sure means, the direct and immaculate way to Jesus and the perfect guide to him, it is through her that souls who are to shine forth in sanctity must find him. He who finds Mary finds life, that is, Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. But no one can find Mary who does not look for her. No one can look for her who does not know her, for no one seeks or desires something unknown. Mary then must be better known than ever for the deeper understanding and the greater glory of the Blessed Trinity. (6) In these latter times Mary must shine forth more than ever in mercy, power and grace; in mercy, to bring back and welcome lovingly the poor sinners and wanderers who are to be converted and return to the Catholic Church; in power, to combat the enemies of God who will rise up menacingly to seduce and crush by promises and threats all those who oppose them; finally, she must shine forth in grace to inspire and support the valiant soldiers and loyal servants of Jesus Christ who are fighting for his cause. (7) Lastly, Mary must become as terrible as an army in battle array to the devil and his followers, especially in these latter times. For Satan, knowing that he has little time - even less now than ever - to destroy souls, intensifies his efforts and his onslaughts every day. He will not hesitate to stir up savage persecutions and set treacherous snares for Mary's faithful servants and children whom he finds more difficult to overcome than others. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

SAINT JOSEPH NOVENA - DAY 6

On the sixth day of our Novena, let us ask Saint Joseph to give us his trust.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to Saint Joseph - spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church   To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, keep away every contagion of error and corrupting influence from us; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle against the power of darkness. As you once rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

MEDITATIONS Joseph trusts God when he hears his messenger, the Angel, say to him: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her” (Mt 1:20). Throughout all of history, Joseph is the man who gives God the greatest display of trust, even in the face of such astonishing news... We are asking the Lord to protect the Church always – and He does! – just as Joseph protected his family and kept watch over the Child Jesus during his early years. (Benedict XVI, Homily, March 19, 2009) Today, we pray united, entrusting ourselves to the intercession of Saint Joseph, Custodian of the Holy Family, Guardian of our families. The carpenter of Nazareth also knew precariousness and bitterness, concern for the morrow, but he was able to walk in the darkness of certain moments, allowing himself always to be guided, without reservations by the Will of God. (Pope Francis, March 19, 2020)

Saint Joseph, mirror of patience, pray for us. Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be ...

Prayer of Pope Francis Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation. Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so that they might know - as you do - how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility. Grant intelligence of knowledge to those seeking adequate means for the health and physical well-being of their brothers and sisters. Sustain those who are dedicating their efforts to serve those in need, even at the cost of their own safety: the volunteers, nurses, and doctors working on the front lines in tending to the sick. O Saint Joseph, bless the Church: beginning with her ministers, make her the sign and instrument of your light and your goodness. O Saint Joseph, protect our families: with your prayerful silence, create harmony between parents and their children, especially with the youngest. Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one might be left in desperation from abandonment and discouragement. Comfort those who are the most frail, encourage those who falter, intercede for the poor. With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world from every form of pandemic. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY “By accepting himself according to God’s design, Joseph fully finds himself, beyond himself. His freedom to renounce even what is his, the possession of his very life, and his full interior availability to the will of God challenge us and show us the way.” (Pope Francis)

SAINT JOSEPH NOVENA - DAY 5

On the fifth day of our Novena, let us ask Saint Joseph to give us strength.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to Saint Joseph - spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church   To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, keep away every contagion of error and corrupting influence from us; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle against the power of darkness. As you once rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.

MEDITATION God alone could grant Joseph the ability  to believe the Angel. God alone will give you the ability to raise your family according to his will. Ask Him for this grace. God loves when we ask Him what he already wishes to give. Ask him for the grace of a true and ever more faithful love modeled after his own. As a psalm magnificently puts it: his “love is established for ever, his loyalty will stand as long as the heavens” (Ps 88:3). As you face the challenges of life, take courage! Your life is priceless in the eyes of God! Let Christ take hold of you, agree to pledge your love to him… I would like to say: God loves you, He has not forgotten you, and Saint Joseph is protecting you! Invoke Him with confidence! (Benedict XVI, Homily, March 19, 2009)

Saint Joseph, prudent and brave, pray for us. Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be ...

Prayer of Pope Francis Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation. Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so that they might know - as you do - how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility. Grant intelligence of knowledge to those seeking adequate means for the health and physical well-being of their brothers and sisters. Sustain those who are dedicating their efforts to serve those in need, even at the cost of their own safety: the volunteers, nurses, and doctors working on the front lines in tending to the sick. O Saint Joseph, bless the Church: beginning with her ministers, make her the sign and instrument of your light and your goodness. O Saint Joseph, protect our families: with your prayerful silence, create harmony between parents and their children, especially with the youngest. Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one might be left in desperation from abandonment and discouragement. Comfort those who are the most frail, encourage those who falter, intercede for the poor. With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world from every form of pandemic. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "We can only feel the greatest respect towards the humble and gentle Joseph, because his identity is a shadow of the Father’s... Joseph was a kind of apparition of the Father in this world, of the Unbegotten and Eternal One. He is gentle, merciful, poor and unknown, passive and docile. At the same time he is the impregnable fortress that protected Mary's honor and Jesus' life." (Louis Veuillot)

SAINT JOSEPH NOVENA - DAY 4:

On the fourth day of our Novena, let us ask Saint Joseph to obtain for us perfect resignation to the Divine Will. View this email in your browser To modify or cancel your subscription

On the fourth day of our Novena, let us ask Saint Joseph to obtain for us perfect resignation to the Divine Will. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to Saint Joseph - spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church   To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, keep away every contagion of error and corrupting influence from us; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle against the power of darkness. As you once rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen. MEDITATION We see in Saint Joseph a splendid docility, a readiness to obedience and execution. He does not debate, or hold on tight to his rights or aspirations. He obeys readily, like a servant, to whatever word is said to him, He knows that his life will unfold like a drama, and he reaches an extraordinary level of purity and greatness beyond any expectation or human calculation. Joseph accepts his task, because he heard the angel say to him: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1: 20). (Saint Paul VI, Homily, March 19, 1968) Saint Joseph, most obedient, pray for us. Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be ... Prayer of Pope Francis Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation. Enlighten those responsible for the common good, so that they might know - as you do - how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility. Grant intelligence of knowledge to those seeking adequate means for the health and physical well-being of their brothers and sisters. Sustain those who are dedicating their efforts to serve those in need, even at the cost of their own safety: the volunteers, nurses, and doctors working on the front lines in tending to the sick. O Saint Joseph, bless the Church: beginning with her ministers, make her the sign and instrument of your light and your goodness. O Saint Joseph, protect our families: with your prayerful silence, create harmony between parents and their children, especially with the youngest. Preserve the elderly from loneliness: grant that no one might be left in desperation from abandonment and discouragement. Comfort those who are the most frail, encourage those who falter, intercede for the poor. With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world from every form of pandemic. Amen. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "Ah, truly he is not of those who have received their reward in this world! And he will be revealed, since he has not yet been revealed; he will shine, since he has not yet shone. God will repair the obscurity of his life and his glory will be all the greater that it has been reserved for the life to come." (Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet)