Novena to St Joseph begins March 11 (Feast on a Sunday in 2017 - so will be celebrated Monday)

FEAST DAY - MARCH 19

“Go to Joseph.” - Genesis 41:55

A POWERFUL NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

This novena has proven to be highly efficacious. It seems to be pleasing to St. Joseph and helpful to souls. This form of novena was originally devised by the celebrated Fr. Louis Lallemant, S.J. (1587-1633). It has proved particularly effective in obtaining favors through the intercession of St. Joseph. In the Life of this saintly priest and great master of the spiritual life, to whom St. Joseph never refused anything he asked, the story is told that on one occasion he urged two young priests to make this novena, promising that they would obtain everything they asked through the intercession of St. Joseph if, in turn, they would show him special honor and spread devotion to him among others. Both did as Fr. Lallemant suggested. One of them asked for grace to speak and write worthily of Our Lord. But the next day he came to Fr. Lallemant to tell him that, upon reflection, he wished to ask for a different grace, which he considered more conducive to his perfection. Fr. Lallemant replied, “It is too late now to ask for another grace. The first one has already been granted.” This grace was conspicuously displayed throughout the whole course of the priest’s life, as he became one of the most noted preachers and writers of his day.

How to Make this Novena
No particular prayers need be said for this novena. Every day for nine days, turn to St. Joseph in spirit four times during the day and honor him in the following four points. (These “visits” may be made anywhere—at home, at work, on the street, in the car or bus—and at any time.)

1. During the first visit, consider St. Joseph’s fidelity to grace. Reflect upon the action of the Holy Ghost in his soul. At the conclusion of this brief meditation, thank God for so honoring St. Joseph, and ask, through his intercession, for a similar grace.
2. Later in the day, consider St. Joseph’s fidelity to the interior life. Study his spirit of recollection. Think, thank God, and ask.
3. Later still, consider St. Joseph’s love for Our Lady. Think, thank God, and ask.
4. Finally, in a fourth visit, reflect upon St. Joseph’s love for the Divine Child. Think, thank God, and ask. 

Another option for Novena: daily prayers come directly to your email address through PrayingMoreNovenas: 

          Click here: ST. JOSEPH NOVENA PRAYERS

Taken from Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph by TAN Books & Publishers, Inc.

WORDS OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 
“Some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.”

WORDS of ST TERESA of AVILA

“I took for my patron and lord the glorious St. Joseph, and recommended myself earnestly to him. I saw clearly that both out of this my present trouble, and out of others of greater importance, relating to my honor and the loss of my soul, this my father and lord delivered me, and rendered me greater services than I knew how to ask for. I cannot call to mind that I have ever asked him at any time for anything which he has not granted; and I am filled with amazement when I consider the great favors which God has given me through this blessed Saint; the dangers from which he has delivered me, both of body and of soul.” —Autobiography, VI, 9

“To other Saints Our Lord seems to have given power to succor us in some special necessity—but to this glorious Saint, I know by experience, He has given the power to help us in all. Our Lord would have us understand that as He was subject to St. Joseph on earth—for St. Joseph, bearing the title of father and  being His guardian, could command Him—so now in Heaven Our Lord grants all his petitions. I have asked others to recommend themselves to St. Joseph, and they, too, know the same thing by experience . . .” —Autobiography, VI, 9

“Would that I could persuade all men to be devoted to this glorious Saint [St. Joseph], for I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him and honored him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselves to him. It is now very many years since I began asking him for something on his feast, and I have always received it. If the petition was in any way amiss, he rectified it for my greater good . . . I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me will make the trial for himself—then he will find out by experience the great good that results from commending oneself to this glorious Patriarch and in being devoted to him . . .” —Autobiography, VI, 11-12

Litany of St Joseph (For public or private use)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. 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 Ghost,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Illustrious son of David, etc.

Light of patriarchs,

Spouse of the Mother of God,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster father of the Son of God,

Watchful defender of Christ,

Head of the Holy Family,

Joseph most just,

Joseph most chaste,

Joseph most prudent,

Joseph most valiant,

Joseph most obedient,

Joseph most faithful,

Mirror of patience,

Lover of poverty,

Model of workmen,

Glory of home life,

Guardian of virgins,

Pillar of families,

Solace of the afflicted,

Hope of the sick,

Patron of the dying,

Terror of demons,

Protector of Holy Church,

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 made him the lord of His household,

R. And prince over all His possessions.

Let Us Pray 

O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst 
vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse 

of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, 
that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth 
may be our intercessor in Heaven. 
Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Consider the angels...

  "The angels surround and help the priest when
he is celebrating Mass." - St Augustine

"The heavens open and multitudes of angels 
come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass." - St Gregory

 

"All of Paradise is close to the altar

when I say Mass. ...

The angels around the altar adore and love."

St Padre Pio

Quotes in honor of remembering ...

St Frances of Rome

Italy ~ 1384 -1440

Wife, mother, monastic, mystic

Great devotion to Passion and faith in angels

Given gift to see Guardian angel in bodily form

Oft said by St Frances, "God's Will is mine."

Feast Day - March 9

 "It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, 
but she must never forget she is a housewife.  And sometimes she must 
leave God at the altar to find Him in her housekeeping." - St Frances of Rome

ST. FRANCES OF ROME. -You tube (2 mins)

Saint Frances of Rome 03-09 - Bing video (3 mins)

St Frances of Rome, pray for us!

Stay with God, go with God ...

"Stay with God, go with God." - St John of God

"Every day of your life
keep God before your eyes.
See the Mass out to the end."

St. John of God

Portugal (1495-1550)

Religious, Founder of Order of Hospitallers
Welcome to St John of God Hospitaller Services.

Patron: Hospitals, the Sick, Nurses
Motivation Scripture: Whatsoever you do to one of these, 
the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to Me.

Feast Day  - March 8

Click here: St. John of God - YouTube (2 mins)
Painting above: Peter Fendi, Holy Mass

 

Murillo's St John of God

"(St John) requested those round his bed to leave him alone for a few minutes; 

he had lived his life alone, he would die alone.  When they were gone he rose 

from his bed and knelt before a crucifix. The nurses entered shortly after 

and found him still kneeling there, his face resting on the feet of the Savior, 

but he was quite dead.  His body remained kneeling till it was taken up 

to be laid out for burial.  It was the eighth of March, 1550, a little 

after midnight.  At the time of his death John was fifty-five years of age." 

~ Excerpt from Saints For Sinners by Alban Goodier, S.J.

St John of God, pray for us!

Jesus is passing by...

"Dry bones and limp lives can come alive

by giving God permission to make us

what He wants us to be." - Fr. George Rutler

 

"We entreat you not to offer God's grace 

an ineffectual welcome (II Cor 6:1).  

Yes, God's grace can fill us this Lent, 

provided we do not close the doors of our heart. 

We must be well-disposed, we must really want to change; 

we cannot play with God's grace. ...

We cannot regard this Lent 

as just another liturgical season 

which has simply happened to come around again. 

It is a unique time: a divine aid which we should accept. 

Jesus is passing by and He hopes that we will 

take a great step forward — today, now."

St Josemaria Escriva

Christ is Passing By, 59

Nerve-centre of the Church's life ...

 I look into the paten's gold

My consecrated fingers hold,

And mirrored in its circle see

The other Christ I'm called to be.

Adrienne Gascoigne

Translation: Accept, holy Father... (addressed to God the Father)

Holy card image: www.thewindowshowsitall.blogspot.com/

     "When the Holy Father (JPII) described the priesthood as "the nerve-centre of the Church's whole life and mission" (Holy Thursday Exhortation, 4 April 1996), he was affirming the key role played by priest in the drama of salvation.  Priests, it could also be said, are God's key-men in the further sense that to them have been given the keys of the kingdom - the kingdom of privileged sacramental treasures, notably the Eucharist and the forgiveness of sins (cf. Mt 16:19).  ...

   ...a priest's whole meaning and purpose is focused on the Eucharist in general, the Mass in particular.  For he is consecrator and sacrifice-offerer of the Blessed Sacrament, besides being distributor, custodian and privileged adorer.  How accurate and apt, therefore, is the Holy Father's (JPII) observation:  "A priest is worth what his Eucharistic life is worth."

    St Claude de la Colombiere treasured the personal graces gained through holy Mass like rubies..."Each day in my Mass He will give me new counsels, new strength.  He will teach me, encourage me.  He will grant me or obtain for me, through His sacrifice, all the graces I shall ask of Him."

       

Excerpts from Mary and the Eucharist

Fr Richard Foley, SJ

   

THESE HANDS BRING ME JESUS 

CLICK BELOW  to see this outstanding slide show video

by Stephen Golder (Turn on sound) * 7 mins

 http://www.thesehandsbmj.com/video.htm

During this grace-filled season of Lent priests offer many extra Masses

and spend many long hours celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

for the holy benefit of those they serve.  Let us PRAY DAILY for priests -

in thanksgiving for their vocation, for their stamina and piety and to implore 

deeper, richer Eucharistic lives for them - and ultimately for the Church!


"In strengthening the priest
you strengthen the whole Church. ...
Strengthen the priest and
you strengthen the whole foundation,
you strengthen everything in the Church."

Fr Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P., Founder
Handmaids of the Precious Blood