|
SAINT JOSEPH FOSTER FATHER OF MERCY INCARNATE (written by Willy Effinger)
As the title of a book written by Rick Sarkisian says, this man is definitely "Not Your Average JOE". From writings of the early Fathers and Doctors of the Church, extra-biblical documents and private revelations, we have learned that Joseph knew Holy Scripture very well and that he eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah, just like Mary, his future spouse. He too came from royal stock, so to speak, in that he came from the line of David. God had destined that Joseph's parents, Jacob and Rachel, would remain childless for some time, much like the Blessed Virgin Mary's parents Joachim and Anne. It was through their prayerful entreaties, their sacrifices and their alms-giving to the poor that the spiritual lives of Jacob and Rachel were formed. Mother Maria Cecilia, an 18th Century Abbess of a Benedictine Convent in Italy, said that Joseph's parents lived a life of mercy in all aspects: by giving to the needy, by supporting the Temple, by comforting the afflicted, by entreating God, fasting and praying for the Messiah to come to save the world. Mother Abbess was given to understand that, after Joseph was conceived, his parents were informed by means of dreams what would become of their child and that he would not only see the Messiah but would know Him intimately. His upbringing, therefore, was directed towards making him a righteous and virtuous man. Almost all that is said in Holy Scripture is that "Joseph was a righteous man." Let's look at what it takes to be a righteous man. According to the Webster's dictionary, it is a person who conforms in disposition and conduct to a standard of right and justice, one who is upright and virtuous in all conduct, one who is legally and morally on the absolute right path. In my own words, a righteous man is one who desires to live God's law and, moreover, to become like Him who is Mercy Incarnate, in all aspects of life. A righteous man is one who is or strives to become a true son of the living God and a true brother to Jesus Christ. St. Joseph, according to the Church's teaching, had a triple mission to fulfill:
In these three missions, St. Joseph was the ultimate role model of mercy, never regarding his own desires and aspirations as important, but always putting himself last, serving his most beloved spouse and the Divine Christ Child. As one can clearly see, he was definitely not the average "Joe" – he was destined to be merciful in all circumstances of life and to imitate already during his earthly life, the attributes of his Foster Son, Jesus. As is recorded in the Litany of St. Joseph, this righteous man is venerated and asked for help in 8 major areas and functions:
In more modern times, we can also add another important function as Patron Saint of Canada. All of these points of veneration point directly to his special mission on earth, indirectly to his way of life and show us that he is the merciful Foster Father not only of Christ, but also of all of us! Many beautiful prayers asking for St. Joseph's intercession have been written, so I'd like to share some of them with you. (prayers will be included at the end of this reflection) My all-time favourite is the prayer to become just which I found in a prayer book from St. Joseph's Oratory. St. Joseph developed, by God's grace, a great sympathy for the dying from a very young age; he desired to be at their bedside to assist them physically and spiritually. According to Mother Maria Cecilia, he had no peace or rest when he knew that a soul was engaged in the final struggle. He would remain for hours at the bedside of a dying person nearby or on his knees imploring God's mercy for a soul far away. In order to obtain God's mercy for such a soul, he would deprive himself of sleep and food for days and never stop pleading with all those around him to TRUST IN THE DIVINE MERCY! You may also recognize the similarity with St. Faustina, the Lord's Secretary of Divine Mercy, who spent much of her time praying for the souls of the dying, including one encounter where she was transported into the room of a dying soul.
We read in St. Faustina's Diary entries #1797 and 1798: “Today, the Lord came to me and said, My daughter, help Me to save souls. You will go to a dying sinner and you will continue to recite the Chaplet and in this way you will obtain for him trust in My mercy, for he is already in despair. Suddenly, I found myself in a strange cottage where an elderly man was dying amidst great torments. All about the bed was a multitude of demons and the family, who were crying. When I began to pray, the spirits of darkness fled, with hissing and threats directed at me. The soul became calm and, filled with trust, rested in the Lord. At the same moment, I found myself again in my own room. How this happens ... I do not know.”
(to be continued next month)
PRAYER FOR PRIESTLY & RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS (from page 50 of the St. Joseph Oratory Prayer Book)
Saint Joseph, Patron of the Church, we ask you to intercede before God, so that in our days, many young people be attracted to the service of souls and to the ideal of evangelical perfection. Already among Christian nations, the faithful desire to better understand and practice the virtues preached by Christ; and among non-Christian peoples, a great number of men and women of good will hear the call of faith and want to receive the message of peace. Please pray on our behalf that the Master of the harvest send workers to His vineyard. Obtain for us many priestly and religious vocations, vocations of missionaries, educators and contemplatives that correspond to the immense needs of the world today and that are fully dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. Amen.
PRAYER TO BECOME JUST (from page 54 of the St. Joseph Oratory Prayer Book)
O Lord, let us become just. Not only men totally devoted and generous, not only men who are so that justice may be prevail, but men of God, for whom God is everything. Not only brotherly men, attentive to all miseries and always willing to help those in need, but men full of love for You, Lord, and who live only for You; men in whom we see and hear You, men capable of tearing materialism from the world by imposing Your presence. We need just men. Take them from everywhere: among the poor, among the rich, among the illiterate, among the learned, among the lay, among the priests and from all walks of life. We beg You, O Lord, for the love of Joseph, Your Virgin Father, in whom You Yourself recognized a just man. Amen.
PRAYER IN SICKNESS (from page 57 of the St. Joseph Oratory Prayer Book)
Merciful Saint Joseph, the omnipotence of Jesus is in your hands. Nothing is impossible to you. You have but to say a word and our beloved invalid will be cured. O comforter of those who invoke you with confidence, do not reject our plea. The sick have a special right to your tender compassion. Alleviate, we beseech you, the pains of the one we recommend to you. Obtain for him/her the grace to sanctify his/her sufferings through patience and total submission to God's holy will. But moreover, crown your blessings by granting him/her a cure, along with the grace of leading a saintly life wholly pleasing to God. O beloved Saint Joseph, let not our prayers rise in vain, but deign, by this additional favour, to increase our confidence in you and our gratitude towards Divine Goodness. Amen. PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH (from page 58 of the St. Joseph Oratory Prayer Book) Saint Joseph, who had the joy of dying between Jesus and Mary, and whom all Christians honour as the patron and comforter of the dying, I call upon your protection for the last instants of my life. May I die the death of the just and to obtain such a grace, may I live as you in the presence of the Lord and of the Virgin Mary, so as to share in the Redemption when I also have to appear before God. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN AGONY (from page 58 of the St. Joseph Oratory Prayer Book) Saint Joseph, who enjoyed the bliss of dying in the arms of Jesus and Mary, hear our prayer for those who are in agony today. By the merits of your life and your eminent holiness, secure for them the grace of final perseverance, comfort and consolation in their trials, courage and resignation in sufferings, the peace and serenity of the children of God in the face of death. Grant to the faithful the joy of the presence of a priest and the reception of the blessed Viaticum and help those who are deprived of them. Welcome them at the gates of Paradise and, with Jesus, your Divine Son, and Mary, your holy Spouse, lead them up to the Father. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF LABOUR (Prayer of Saint Pius X) Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all workers, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of thanksgiving and joy. Let me consider it an honour to use and develop the gifts received from God. Aid me to work in order, peace, moderation and patience without ever avoiding weariness and trials, to work conscientiously, preferring my duty to my inclinations; to work in the spirit of penance for the expiation of my sins. Help me to work above all for the glory of God and not for any selfish reasons and to keep before my eyes the account I must give of time lost and work badly done. Watch over me and give me the strength to imitate you in order that I may obtain the reward of those who work for God. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (from the Treasury of Novenas) Glorious Saint Joseph, powerful protector of Holy Mother Church, I implore your heavenly aid for the whole Church on earth, especially for the Holy Father and all bishops, priests and religious. Comfort the afflicted, console the dying and convert sinners and heretics. Have pity on the poor souls in Purgatory, especially on my own family, relatives and friends. Obtain for them the speedy remission of their punishment, that with you and all the Saints and Angels they may praise and glorify the Blessed Trinity forever. Amen.
|