SAINT JOSEPH

San José y el Niño Jesús (11 Kbytes)INTRODUCTION

Saint Joseph is the Universal Patron of the Church, Patron of the fine death  and Patron of the Seminarists . He was chosen as loyal guardian of the celestial treasures that were Jesus and Mary. With faith, He welcomed the boy that had begun to live in Mary's bossom, and to them, to Jesus and Mary, he gave them his life without scanting sacrifices. Saint Joseph didn't arrive seeing Jesus in his public life (preaching, miracles, etc.).

It has not existed a happier Saint in the whole world, neither more fortunate father. How happy he was to have so close God's Son!

 

 

PRAYER TO ST.JOSEPH

St.Joseph, father and guardian of virgins, to whose faithful keeping Christ Jesus, innocence itself, and Mary, the virgin of virgins, were entrusted, I pray and beseech you by that twofold and most precious charge, by Jesus and Mary, to safe me from all uncleanness, to keep my mind untainted, my heart pure, and my body chaste; and to help me always to serve Jesus and Mary in perfect chastity. Amen.

 

THE SEVEN SUNDAYS
The Seven Sundays devotion honours the seven joys and seven sorrows of St.Joseph.

"What must Joseph have been, how grace must have worked through him, that he should be able to fulfil this task of the human upbringing of the Son of God.

For Jesus must have resembled Joseph: in his way of working, in the features of his character, in his way of speaking. Jesus’ realism, his eye for detail, the way he sat at table and broke bread, his preference for using everyday situations to give doctrine –all this reflects his childhood and the influence of Joseph.

It’s not possible to ignore this sublime mystery: Jesus who is man, who speaks with the accent of a particular district of Israel, who resembles a carpenter called Joseph, is the Son of God".

    1. The first sorrow and joy of St. Joseph: his sorrow when he decided to leave the Blessed Virgin; his joy when the angel told him the mystery of the Incarnation, that Mary’s child is the Son of God and is the awaited Messiah.

      2. "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins" Mt 1:20-21

      "The Gospels give us a picture of Joseph as a remarkably sound man who was in no way frightened or shy of life. On the contrary, he faced up to problems, dealt with difficult situations and showed responsibility and initiative in whatever he was asked to do"

    2. The second sorrow and joy of St.Joseph: his sorrow when he saw Jesus born in poverty, his joy when the angels announced Jesus birth.

      3. "So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger."Lk.2:16

      "Ite ad Joseph: ‘Go to Joseph’. He will show us definite ways, both human and divine to approach Jesus. And soon you will dare, as he did ‘to take up in his arms, kiss, clothe and look after’ this child God who has been born unto us. As a homage of their veneration, the Magi offered gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus. Joseph gave all his youthful and loving heart."

    3. The third sorrow and joy of St.Joseph: his sorrow when he saw Jesus’ blood

      4. shed in circumcision, his joy in giving him the name Jesus.

      "When the eighth day came and the Child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception." Lk.2:21

      "Interior Life is nothing but continual and direct conversation with Christ, so as to become one with him. And Joseph can tell us many things about Jesus. Therefore never neglect devotion to him..."

    4. The fourth sorrow and joy of St.Joseph: his sorrow when he heard the prophecy of Simeon; his joy when he learned that many will be saved through the sufferings of Jesus.

      5. "As the Child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see, this child: he is destined for the fall and the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected –and a sword will pierce your own soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare." Lk.2:34

      "Joseph is surprised and astonished. God gradually reveals his plans to him and he tries to understand them. As with everyone who wishes to follow Jesus closely, he soon discovers that here is no laggard’s pace, no room for the half-hearted. God always asks more: his ways are not the ways of men. St.Joseph, more than anyone else before or since, learned from Jesus to be alert to recognise God’s wonders, to have his mind and heart awake."

    5. The fifth sorrow and joy of St.Joseph: his sorrow when he had to flee to

      6. Egypt with the Child Jesus and Mary; his joy in being always with Jesus and Mary

      "So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead." Mt.2:14-15

      "Joseph entrusted himself unreservedly to the care of God, but he always reflected on events and so was able to reach the level of understanding of the works of God which is true wisdom. In this way he learned little by little that supernatural plans have a logic which at times upsets human plans."

    6. The sixth sorrow and joy of St.Joseph: his sorrow when he was afraid to return to his homeland; his joy on being told by the angel to go to Nazareth.

      7. "There he settle in a town called Nazareth. In this way the words spoken through the prophets were to be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene." Mt.2:23

      "Joseph loved Jesus as a father loves his son and showed his love by giving him the best he had. Joseph, caring for the child as he had been commanded, made Jesus a craftsman, transmitting his own professional skill to him. Jesus worked in Joseph’s workshop and by Joseph’s side."

    7. The seventh sorrow and joy of St.Joseph: his sorrow when he lost the Child Jesus; his joy in finding him in the temple.

"They were overcome when they saw him and his mother said to him,’My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you." Lk.2:43

"Get to know Joseph and you will find Jesus. Talk to Joseph and you will find Mary, who always sheds peace about her in that attractive workshop in Nazareth."

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