St. Joseph's Corner: Devotion to St. Joseph

            Are you aware that each day of the week is dedicated to one of the Saints or a Mystery of our Catholic Faith?  For instance, Monday's are dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.  What a wonderful practice to offer all our prayers and sufferings of the day to speed some 'Poor Soul' to the gates of Heaven!  Tuesday's are dedicated to the Holy Angels, those nine choirs of Angelic Beings who stand before the throne of God in Adoration or by God's chose are our Guardians here on earth. Wednesday's are dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus and the husband of Mary! Thursday's are dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist, Jesus' Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  Wanting to be with us until the end of time, Jesus hides under the Eucharistic species His majesty and beauty so that we might have courage to approach the throne of His Mercy!  What a meditation!!  Friday's are dedicated to the Passion of Christ.  Saturday's are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Sunday's are dedicated to the Blessed Trinity, One God in three Divine Persons.
How beautiful our Catholic Faith is!
            In this writing I want to encourage you to make a daily Act of Consecration to St. Joseph or at the very least every Wednesday. In our community, we elected to place devotion to St. Joseph in both our daily morning prayer and night prayer.  We willingly strive to follow the exemplar virtues of our Patron Saint as we venture through our day and beg his protection at its close.  St. Joseph is the great Saint who practiced interior silence, so much so, that he could hear God's Will for him and respond in trust without the slightest hesitation. He did not clutter himself with activities, events, and things that took time away from his obligations to his faith and his family.  He was the man of the house and he stepped up to the plate putting his God and family before himself.  Look to St. Joseph in your life, too!

Morning Prayer          

An Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life.

After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

Night Prayer

Prayer of St. Clement to St. Joseph

St. Joseph, my loving father, I place myself forever under your loving protection.  Look upon me as your child and keep me from all sin.  I take refuge in your arms so that you may lead me on the path of virtue and assist me at the hour of my death. Amen.