BLESSED JOSEPH: Reflections
(words & music by Bro. Bobby General)
“Introduction to Reflections from Blessed Joseph Song”
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. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
His Holiness Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter (Patris Corde) declared this year to be the “Year of St. Joseph” (December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021) on the occasion of the 150th year of the proclamation by Blessed Pius IX making St. Joseph the Universal Patron of the Church. So much can be said about this but for the moment we will just focus on a humble offering by this poor imitator of the Father/Patron.
Last week, I went to the house of my friend the musician Jim Cornejo to work on a song about St. Joseph. This he offered to do (put keyboard and arrange) as according to him it is his way of giving back. You see, for a year and a half, even during the pandemic, I ministered to his dad (Daddy Ricardo) by praying for him and bringing the Lord Jesus to him every Sunday as part of our St. Joseph Apostolate to the Sick, the Elderly, the Incarcerated, the Lonely, the Confused, and the Malefic Tormented. To our heartfelt sadness, daddy passed away a couple of months ago and it was then that Jim reminded me that if I have a song he can contribute or work on, just go to the house. Finally, I was able to go and brought my guitar that day. He asked me how long did it took to have the song (he liked it accordingly). Then as I thought back, I told him maybe 15 minutes. To my surprise he understood that being a musician truly that sometimes they just come and it just came indeed.
About 6 or 7 years ago, I am sort of feeling a bit bored one evening and decided to get my guitar and maybe play a few songs. Well, as I sat down with the guitar the chorus came, then verses 1,2,3 which are things we knew from Scriptures and Traditions. The 4th one is something I thought about because I want to cite the Popes who made a significant contribution to making St. Joseph known to everyone. In the end I just knew that this is one of those songs that was given and not made. God forbid that I take any credit about it.
In the next few days, we will reflect on the words of the 4 Verses and of course on the Chorus as we hope this is something we can contribute in this Year of St. Joseph. All for Jesus through Mary and Joseph!
“St. Joseph after Mother Mary surpasses all the other saints in merit and glory… when he asks grace for those devoted to him, his prayers have in a certain manner the force of a command with Jesus and Mary” (St. Alphonsus Mary di Liguori)
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. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
His Holiness Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter (Patris Corde) declared this year to be the “Year of St. Joseph” (December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021) on the occasion of the 150th year of the proclamation by Blessed Pius IX making St. Joseph the Universal Patron of the Church. So much can be said about this but for the moment we will just focus on a humble offering by this poor imitator of the Father/Patron.
Last week, I went to the house of my friend the musician Jim Cornejo to work on a song about St. Joseph. This he offered to do (put keyboard and arrange) as according to him it is his way of giving back. You see, for a year and a half, even during the pandemic, I ministered to his dad (Daddy Ricardo) by praying for him and bringing the Lord Jesus to him every Sunday as part of our St. Joseph Apostolate to the Sick, the Elderly, the Incarcerated, the Lonely, the Confused, and the Malefic Tormented. To our heartfelt sadness, daddy passed away a couple of months ago and it was then that Jim reminded me that if I have a song he can contribute or work on, just go to the house. Finally, I was able to go and brought my guitar that day. He asked me how long did it took to have the song (he liked it accordingly). Then as I thought back, I told him maybe 15 minutes. To my surprise he understood that being a musician truly that sometimes they just come and it just came indeed.
About 6 or 7 years ago, I am sort of feeling a bit bored one evening and decided to get my guitar and maybe play a few songs. Well, as I sat down with the guitar the chorus came, then verses 1,2,3 which are things we knew from Scriptures and Traditions. The 4th one is something I thought about because I want to cite the Popes who made a significant contribution to making St. Joseph known to everyone. In the end I just knew that this is one of those songs that was given and not made. God forbid that I take any credit about it.
In the next few days, we will reflect on the words of the 4 Verses and of course on the Chorus as we hope this is something we can contribute in this Year of St. Joseph. All for Jesus through Mary and Joseph!
“St. Joseph after Mother Mary surpasses all the other saints in merit and glory… when he asks grace for those devoted to him, his prayers have in a certain manner the force of a command with Jesus and Mary” (St. Alphonsus Mary di Liguori)
CHORUS:
BLESSED JOSEPH, FATHER OF JESUS OUR BROTHER AND LORD.
BLESSED JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD.
BLESSSED JOSEPH, UNIVERSAL PATRON OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH,
FROM THE GLORY OF HEAVEN HEAR OUR PRAYER.
St. Joseph for me is the epitome of what it means to be spiritual (not of this world) and yet to be actually in the world. However, the thing that my studies on the life and honor of St. Joseph led me to conclude that it was his intimate connection with Jesus our Lord and with the Theotokos Mother Mary that deemed him to become the Protodulia (1st devotion among all Saints after the Blessed Mother). It was not by preaching or talking it is by the great love he has for Jesus and Mary.
The chorus is to magnify this great point by citing the relation our Father/Patron has for both and somehow connecting it with us. His humility, his strength of character, and his selfless love for the Madonna and the Child are things we must learn especially as we continue our pilgrimage in this world that we live in at the moment which is beset by many difficulties and problems. St. Joseph was chosen by God to care, protect, & defend the Holy Family from natural and preternatural enemies. This tremendous love for them is now extended to us all the sons and daughters of Mother Mary and brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ. The chorus of the song focused on those things and invites those who shall sing to “Ite Ad Joseph”, to go to Joseph! As our spiritual father and patron, St. Joseph will walk with us until the time we are all together in the glory of heaven with him. These deep truths has truly changed my life and he was the instrument that led me to intimacy with Jesus and Mother Mary.
“And now therefore, when in these most troublesome times the Church is beset by enemies on every side, and is weighed down by calamities so heavy that ungodly men assert that the gates of hell have at length prevailed against her, the venerable prelates of the whole Catholic world have presented to the Sovereign Pontiff their own petitions and those of the faithful committed to their charge, praying that he would deign to constitute St. Joseph Patron of the Church.” (Blessed Pius IX, Quemadmodum Deus)
BLESSED JOSEPH, FATHER OF JESUS OUR BROTHER AND LORD.
BLESSED JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD.
BLESSSED JOSEPH, UNIVERSAL PATRON OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH,
FROM THE GLORY OF HEAVEN HEAR OUR PRAYER.
St. Joseph for me is the epitome of what it means to be spiritual (not of this world) and yet to be actually in the world. However, the thing that my studies on the life and honor of St. Joseph led me to conclude that it was his intimate connection with Jesus our Lord and with the Theotokos Mother Mary that deemed him to become the Protodulia (1st devotion among all Saints after the Blessed Mother). It was not by preaching or talking it is by the great love he has for Jesus and Mary.
The chorus is to magnify this great point by citing the relation our Father/Patron has for both and somehow connecting it with us. His humility, his strength of character, and his selfless love for the Madonna and the Child are things we must learn especially as we continue our pilgrimage in this world that we live in at the moment which is beset by many difficulties and problems. St. Joseph was chosen by God to care, protect, & defend the Holy Family from natural and preternatural enemies. This tremendous love for them is now extended to us all the sons and daughters of Mother Mary and brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ. The chorus of the song focused on those things and invites those who shall sing to “Ite Ad Joseph”, to go to Joseph! As our spiritual father and patron, St. Joseph will walk with us until the time we are all together in the glory of heaven with him. These deep truths has truly changed my life and he was the instrument that led me to intimacy with Jesus and Mother Mary.
“And now therefore, when in these most troublesome times the Church is beset by enemies on every side, and is weighed down by calamities so heavy that ungodly men assert that the gates of hell have at length prevailed against her, the venerable prelates of the whole Catholic world have presented to the Sovereign Pontiff their own petitions and those of the faithful committed to their charge, praying that he would deign to constitute St. Joseph Patron of the Church.” (Blessed Pius IX, Quemadmodum Deus)
VERSE 1: BLESSED JOSEPH (Bro. Bobby General)
BLESSED JOSEPH WHEN THE ANGEL SAID,
“DO NOT BE AFRAID TAKE MARY AS BRIDE”.
YOUR OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD,
OPENED A DOOR FOR OUR REDEMPTION.
“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. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”.
(Matthew 1:20)
This event is known as the “Annunciation to Joseph” in quite a similar circumstance as with the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was by the fiat (YES) of these two people that the plan of God for the Redemption of all Mankind by the Lord Jesus Christ became a reality. They are truly both Ministers of Salvations. We too can be such in the continuing salvation of all humanity even in these our own time. If we say YES to the will of God, His providential plan will manifest. Like the Blessed Mother and our Father Patron, in our simple and even circumstances we can be faithful cooperators to the Divine Plan of God which is continuing Salvation to all, rich or poor, young or old, educated or not, God desires that all be saved and all receive as a fantastic gift, God’s Redemption. Truth is you not matter how you think that you are good can and will never be able to redeem us. We can only, like Joseph and Mary, cooperate and make sure that the plan of God must happen.
The verse captures this wonderful and even sacrificial truth. This was not accomplished by any other means except by the selflessness that Father Joseph showed. You know, I am truthfully convinced that if he said NO, maybe we would have waited longer for our Redemption and our Salvation. I tried to capture this meritorious act in verse 1 of our song by our Father/Patron and hope that we will take to heart this lesson. Obedience is a premium virtue in the church. It is not what you think, it is all about what God thinks. It is not the truth you think, it the truth that God reveals will matter in the end. Honestly, do you think you would know more than God, the perfect One? St. Joseph realized this and with much sacrifice, heeded God’s truth. Hence, he became the legal father of the TRUTH Himself, Jesus, our brother and Lord.
“St. Joseph was an ordinary sort of man on whom God relied to do great things. He did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, in each and every event that went to make up his life.” (St. Jose Maria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei)
BLESSED JOSEPH WHEN THE ANGEL SAID,
“DO NOT BE AFRAID TAKE MARY AS BRIDE”.
YOUR OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD,
OPENED A DOOR FOR OUR REDEMPTION.
“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. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins”.
(Matthew 1:20)
This event is known as the “Annunciation to Joseph” in quite a similar circumstance as with the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was by the fiat (YES) of these two people that the plan of God for the Redemption of all Mankind by the Lord Jesus Christ became a reality. They are truly both Ministers of Salvations. We too can be such in the continuing salvation of all humanity even in these our own time. If we say YES to the will of God, His providential plan will manifest. Like the Blessed Mother and our Father Patron, in our simple and even circumstances we can be faithful cooperators to the Divine Plan of God which is continuing Salvation to all, rich or poor, young or old, educated or not, God desires that all be saved and all receive as a fantastic gift, God’s Redemption. Truth is you not matter how you think that you are good can and will never be able to redeem us. We can only, like Joseph and Mary, cooperate and make sure that the plan of God must happen.
The verse captures this wonderful and even sacrificial truth. This was not accomplished by any other means except by the selflessness that Father Joseph showed. You know, I am truthfully convinced that if he said NO, maybe we would have waited longer for our Redemption and our Salvation. I tried to capture this meritorious act in verse 1 of our song by our Father/Patron and hope that we will take to heart this lesson. Obedience is a premium virtue in the church. It is not what you think, it is all about what God thinks. It is not the truth you think, it the truth that God reveals will matter in the end. Honestly, do you think you would know more than God, the perfect One? St. Joseph realized this and with much sacrifice, heeded God’s truth. Hence, he became the legal father of the TRUTH Himself, Jesus, our brother and Lord.
“St. Joseph was an ordinary sort of man on whom God relied to do great things. He did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, in each and every event that went to make up his life.” (St. Jose Maria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei)
VERSE 2: BLESSED JOSEPH (Bro. Bobby General)
BLESSED JOSEPH, FROM THE TOWN OF NAZARETH.
YOU BECAME THE HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY.
THE LIVING WORD OF GOD SUBMITS UNTO YOU
AND THE BELOVED THEOTOKOS.
“48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
“51 Then he (Jesus) returned to Nazareth with them (Mary & Joseph) and was obedient to them.” (Luke 2: 48 & 51 NLT)
When the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph returned to Nazareth they began to live a quiet life in the eyes of those around them. I would surmise that if we saw them there at the time, we would think the same. They did not draw any attention because it is not yet the time but do be misled, they are extra-ordinary indeed. These seemingly simple folks are the Redeemer & the Ministers of Salvation. They collectively are called the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Scripture text from St. Luke points to the fact that in this setting (Nazareth) Jesus was subject or obedient to the Holy Spouses. When I catechize about this, I would tell those listening to me while pointing to the Image of the Holy Family and say that these extra ordinary family is our guide. The composition of this family is Jesus (2nd Person of the Holy Trinity), Mary (the Immaculate Theotokos), and Joseph (ordinary like you and me). However, by the design of God and not truly out of merits, he, Joseph, the ordinary one is the HEAD of this Holy Family. It means that when Joseph will ask God in Jesus to sit down, Jesus will sit down. If he will ask the Beloved Mother of God to get him a glass of water, she will do it. This is a very powerful meditation so I included it in the song just to point out the fact that God honored Joseph, the ordinary one with this tremendous grace. Joseph’s tremendous intercessory abilities I think was the effect of this grace and it is something that we in this our very time is evident especially those who make St. Joseph, the Head of the Holy Family their spiritual father. He is the image of God the Father and should be invoked especially in our time where fatherhood is starting to be view as failed institution. May we all become sons and daughters of St. Joseph. Finally, when you approach St. Joseph, you are actually approaching the entire Holy Family of Jesus, Mother Mary, & Father Joseph. What grace and what privilege, be wise truly, go to Joseph!
St. Bernardino of Siena writes “He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s spouse. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying ‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”
BLESSED JOSEPH, FROM THE TOWN OF NAZARETH.
YOU BECAME THE HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY.
THE LIVING WORD OF GOD SUBMITS UNTO YOU
AND THE BELOVED THEOTOKOS.
“48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
“51 Then he (Jesus) returned to Nazareth with them (Mary & Joseph) and was obedient to them.” (Luke 2: 48 & 51 NLT)
When the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph returned to Nazareth they began to live a quiet life in the eyes of those around them. I would surmise that if we saw them there at the time, we would think the same. They did not draw any attention because it is not yet the time but do be misled, they are extra-ordinary indeed. These seemingly simple folks are the Redeemer & the Ministers of Salvation. They collectively are called the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Scripture text from St. Luke points to the fact that in this setting (Nazareth) Jesus was subject or obedient to the Holy Spouses. When I catechize about this, I would tell those listening to me while pointing to the Image of the Holy Family and say that these extra ordinary family is our guide. The composition of this family is Jesus (2nd Person of the Holy Trinity), Mary (the Immaculate Theotokos), and Joseph (ordinary like you and me). However, by the design of God and not truly out of merits, he, Joseph, the ordinary one is the HEAD of this Holy Family. It means that when Joseph will ask God in Jesus to sit down, Jesus will sit down. If he will ask the Beloved Mother of God to get him a glass of water, she will do it. This is a very powerful meditation so I included it in the song just to point out the fact that God honored Joseph, the ordinary one with this tremendous grace. Joseph’s tremendous intercessory abilities I think was the effect of this grace and it is something that we in this our very time is evident especially those who make St. Joseph, the Head of the Holy Family their spiritual father. He is the image of God the Father and should be invoked especially in our time where fatherhood is starting to be view as failed institution. May we all become sons and daughters of St. Joseph. Finally, when you approach St. Joseph, you are actually approaching the entire Holy Family of Jesus, Mother Mary, & Father Joseph. What grace and what privilege, be wise truly, go to Joseph!
St. Bernardino of Siena writes “He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s spouse. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying ‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”
VERSE 3: BLESSED JOSEPH (Bro. Bobby General)
BLESSED JOSEPH YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WE KNOW OF.
WHEN IT CAME TO LEAVE THIS EARTH.
JESUS OUR LORD AND HIS BELOVED MOTHER
HOLDING BOTH YOUR HANDS.
“O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me.”
The above is the oldest prayer to our beloved Father/Patron. It is actually more than 1900 years old and even in the Ancient Church, this is an accepted truth and speaks to us of that he is the patron as well of departing souls or the dying. I was so touched by the fact that the death of St. Joseph is the most glorious of all deaths because he has the Son of God (Jesus) and our Mother Mary (Theotokos) beside him. This is the reason why when I wrote the song, I had to mention this. Longevity for me is a hallmark of truth. Time actually is the true test if something is from the Lord or not. I remember in the Acts of the Apostles, Gamaliel spoke about this stating that if the movement (Christianity) is of God it will just persist. Contrasting it with if not from God, it will just die a natural death. After I have written the song, a few years later, I had to deal with the passing of my mother Aida. The night before she passed, we had our Bible Service with Communion, and was listening to good music together when, out of the blue, she looked a bit worried. I asked her what is afoot? She told me that she is hoping that when she passes over, she would just be sleeping. Without missing a beat, I replied that she surely will and proceeded to make this case to her. How many times have you prayed the Holy Rosary? We concluded about 80 years give or take a few and all these years she has prayed the Holy Rosary daily some days, more than once. I told her that at the of each Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary), she “now and at the hour of our death”. That is at least 53 times daily so I told her, Mother Mary will make sure of the desire of her heart. Also, I told her that she is here, at the parish of St. Joseph, her son is a consecrated St. Joseph Devotee (Pius Union of St. Joseph), and the patron of a glorious will be with the Mother when she passes over so she need not worry about it. It is in the hands of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. To cut a long story, the next day, she passed over and like what she prayed for, she was just sleeping. I have a continuing Apostolate to the elderly and what I promise them and their family members is that I will pursue this visitation (for some reason they are encouraged by this) apostolate until they pass over. My message is still the same, do not be afraid, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is going to be with them for such is their care for them. All for Jesus through Mary, and Joseph!
"Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones" (Ps. 115:6). After having faithfully served Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph reached the end of his life in the house at Nazareth. There, surrounded by angels, assisted by Jesus Christ the King of angels, and by Mary, his spouse, who placed themselves at each side of his poor bed, filled with the peace of paradise, he departed from this miserable life. Who shall ever be able to understand the sweetness, the consolation, the blessed hope, the acts of resignation, the flames of charity which the words of eternal life coming alternately from the lips of Jesus and Mary, breathed into the soul of Joseph at the end of his life? (St. Alphonsus Liguori; Bishop & Doctor of the Church)
BLESSED JOSEPH YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WE KNOW OF.
WHEN IT CAME TO LEAVE THIS EARTH.
JESUS OUR LORD AND HIS BELOVED MOTHER
HOLDING BOTH YOUR HANDS.
“O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me.”
The above is the oldest prayer to our beloved Father/Patron. It is actually more than 1900 years old and even in the Ancient Church, this is an accepted truth and speaks to us of that he is the patron as well of departing souls or the dying. I was so touched by the fact that the death of St. Joseph is the most glorious of all deaths because he has the Son of God (Jesus) and our Mother Mary (Theotokos) beside him. This is the reason why when I wrote the song, I had to mention this. Longevity for me is a hallmark of truth. Time actually is the true test if something is from the Lord or not. I remember in the Acts of the Apostles, Gamaliel spoke about this stating that if the movement (Christianity) is of God it will just persist. Contrasting it with if not from God, it will just die a natural death. After I have written the song, a few years later, I had to deal with the passing of my mother Aida. The night before she passed, we had our Bible Service with Communion, and was listening to good music together when, out of the blue, she looked a bit worried. I asked her what is afoot? She told me that she is hoping that when she passes over, she would just be sleeping. Without missing a beat, I replied that she surely will and proceeded to make this case to her. How many times have you prayed the Holy Rosary? We concluded about 80 years give or take a few and all these years she has prayed the Holy Rosary daily some days, more than once. I told her that at the of each Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary), she “now and at the hour of our death”. That is at least 53 times daily so I told her, Mother Mary will make sure of the desire of her heart. Also, I told her that she is here, at the parish of St. Joseph, her son is a consecrated St. Joseph Devotee (Pius Union of St. Joseph), and the patron of a glorious will be with the Mother when she passes over so she need not worry about it. It is in the hands of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. To cut a long story, the next day, she passed over and like what she prayed for, she was just sleeping. I have a continuing Apostolate to the elderly and what I promise them and their family members is that I will pursue this visitation (for some reason they are encouraged by this) apostolate until they pass over. My message is still the same, do not be afraid, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is going to be with them for such is their care for them. All for Jesus through Mary, and Joseph!
"Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones" (Ps. 115:6). After having faithfully served Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph reached the end of his life in the house at Nazareth. There, surrounded by angels, assisted by Jesus Christ the King of angels, and by Mary, his spouse, who placed themselves at each side of his poor bed, filled with the peace of paradise, he departed from this miserable life. Who shall ever be able to understand the sweetness, the consolation, the blessed hope, the acts of resignation, the flames of charity which the words of eternal life coming alternately from the lips of Jesus and Mary, breathed into the soul of Joseph at the end of his life? (St. Alphonsus Liguori; Bishop & Doctor of the Church)
VERSE 4: BLESSED JOSEPH (Bro. Bobby General)
POPE PIUS IXTH MADE YOU OUR PATRON.
POPE LEO XIIITH INTENSIFIED DEVOTIONS.
ST. JOHN THE XXIIIRD AND POPE FRANCIS
PLACED YOUR NAME IN THE ROMAN CANONS (EUCHARISTIC PRAYER)
"We also consecrate Vatican City State to St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus, the guardian of the Holy Family. May his presence make us stronger and more courageous in making space for God in our lives to always defeat evil with good. We ask him to protect us, take care of us, so that a life of grace grows stronger in each of us every day." (Pope Francis; July 5, 2013)
In consecrating the 2nd Vatican Council to St. Joseph’s protection, St. John XXIII cited that more than ever, we need to get connected to this great Man of God for the success and eventual acceptance of the Documents in his Apostolic Letter “Le Voci Che Da Tutti” (voices that come to us) and indeed it has indeed. In this document he cited the many efforts that his predecessors particularly Pius IX, Leo XIII, & Pius XII and their contribution to putting the Blessed Joseph to a rightful place in our Church which is always with Jesus, and just behind Mother Mary. In 1962 St. Pope John XXIII placed the name of Joseph in the Roman Canon and in 2015 Pope Francis placed it in the Eucharistic Prayer after Mother Mary as her Most Chaste Spouse. This I think is symptomatic of the slowly (late really) but continuing elevation of St. Joseph in our Prayer and Liturgical life. As a matter of fact, in the last 2 approved apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Knox, Ireland and in Fatima, Portugal, our Father and Patron is seen as well by the seers. This is like the stars has aligned and signaled to the Church that the time of St. Joseph has arrived. Thanks to the Holy Fathers our Popes since Blessed Pius IX who has a tremendous respect and admiration to the Blessed Joseph. We are now in the year of St. Joseph thanks to Pope Francis, prompted by his predecessors (since Pius IX) to put focus on St. Joseph in challenging times, and as such we are in the middle of a very dire situation with the pandemic and the evils it brought, they all know that we have to go to St. Joseph for protection. Just as he protected the Holy Family from both natural & preternatural dangers, we ask for his protection for all of us in these dangerous times. St. Joseph, pray for us the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged, the malefic tormented and the dying. Amen.
“All the saints in glory assuredly merit honor and particular respect, but it is evident that, next to the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph possesses a just title to a more sweet, more intimate and penetrating place in our hearts, belonging to him alone… We are able to see all the greatness of Saint Joseph, not only by reason of the fact that he was close to Jesus and Mary, but also by the shining example he has given of all virtues…” (Pope St. John XXIII, Allocution 19 March 1959)
POPE PIUS IXTH MADE YOU OUR PATRON.
POPE LEO XIIITH INTENSIFIED DEVOTIONS.
ST. JOHN THE XXIIIRD AND POPE FRANCIS
PLACED YOUR NAME IN THE ROMAN CANONS (EUCHARISTIC PRAYER)
"We also consecrate Vatican City State to St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus, the guardian of the Holy Family. May his presence make us stronger and more courageous in making space for God in our lives to always defeat evil with good. We ask him to protect us, take care of us, so that a life of grace grows stronger in each of us every day." (Pope Francis; July 5, 2013)
In consecrating the 2nd Vatican Council to St. Joseph’s protection, St. John XXIII cited that more than ever, we need to get connected to this great Man of God for the success and eventual acceptance of the Documents in his Apostolic Letter “Le Voci Che Da Tutti” (voices that come to us) and indeed it has indeed. In this document he cited the many efforts that his predecessors particularly Pius IX, Leo XIII, & Pius XII and their contribution to putting the Blessed Joseph to a rightful place in our Church which is always with Jesus, and just behind Mother Mary. In 1962 St. Pope John XXIII placed the name of Joseph in the Roman Canon and in 2015 Pope Francis placed it in the Eucharistic Prayer after Mother Mary as her Most Chaste Spouse. This I think is symptomatic of the slowly (late really) but continuing elevation of St. Joseph in our Prayer and Liturgical life. As a matter of fact, in the last 2 approved apparitions of the Blessed Mother in Knox, Ireland and in Fatima, Portugal, our Father and Patron is seen as well by the seers. This is like the stars has aligned and signaled to the Church that the time of St. Joseph has arrived. Thanks to the Holy Fathers our Popes since Blessed Pius IX who has a tremendous respect and admiration to the Blessed Joseph. We are now in the year of St. Joseph thanks to Pope Francis, prompted by his predecessors (since Pius IX) to put focus on St. Joseph in challenging times, and as such we are in the middle of a very dire situation with the pandemic and the evils it brought, they all know that we have to go to St. Joseph for protection. Just as he protected the Holy Family from both natural & preternatural dangers, we ask for his protection for all of us in these dangerous times. St. Joseph, pray for us the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged, the malefic tormented and the dying. Amen.
“All the saints in glory assuredly merit honor and particular respect, but it is evident that, next to the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph possesses a just title to a more sweet, more intimate and penetrating place in our hearts, belonging to him alone… We are able to see all the greatness of Saint Joseph, not only by reason of the fact that he was close to Jesus and Mary, but also by the shining example he has given of all virtues…” (Pope St. John XXIII, Allocution 19 March 1959)