DAY 4: SEVEN (7) SORROWS AND JOYS OF SAINT JOSEPH // REFLECTION ON SAINT JOSEPH

1. Leader: Chaste Lover of Mary, how overwhelmed you were when you thought that you would have to end your betrothal to her. But when the angel of God came to you in a dream, you were filled with awe to realize that Mary would be your wife, and you would be the guardian of the Messiah.

All: Help us, St. Joseph, help our families and all our loved ones to overcome all sadness of heart and develop an absolute trust in God’s goodness.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All: Through your example and prayers, help us St. Joseph and all we love to become like sinless mangers where the Savior of the world may be received with absolute love and respect.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All: Pray for us St. Joseph, that the sacred blood of Christ, poured out for our salvation, may guard our families, so the Divine Name of Jesus may be written in our hearts forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All: Help us, St. Joseph, to see with eyes of faith that even the sorrows and pains of those we deeply love can become the pathway to salvation and eternal life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All: Teach us by your example, St. Joseph, to keep far from the false idols of earthly attractions, so that like you, we may be entirely devoted to the service of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All: Show us, St. Joseph, how to be free from all useless fear and worry, so we may enjoy the peace of a tranquil conscience, living safely with Jesus and Mary in our hearts.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All: Help us, St. Joseph, never to lose Jesus through the fault of our own sins. But if we should lose Him, lead us back with unwearied sorrow, until we find Him again; so that we, like you, may finally pass from this life, dying safely in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

Leader: Pray for us, o holy Joseph.

All: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Leader: Let us pray.

All: O blessed St. Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray and beseech you to offer to God the Father my praise to Him through his divine Son, who died on the cross and rose again to give us sinners new life. Through the holy name of Jesus, pray with us that we may obtain from the eternal Father, the favour we ask . . . (make your request) . . . We have been unfaithful to the unfailing love of God the Father; beg of Jesus mercy for us. Amid the splendours of God’s loving presence, do not forget the sorrows of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep. By your prayers and those of your most holy spouse, our Blessed Lady, may the love of Jesus answer our call of confident hope. Amen.

DAY 4 REFLECTION: “RECEIVING AND WELCOMING JESUS IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST LIKE SAINT JOSEPH”

To receive and welcome Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is to behave like St. Joseph who lived in union with Jesus of Nazareth. In order to receive and welcome Jesus as Saint Joseph did, it is necessary to understand that Saint Joseph recognized in Jesus the simultaneous and inseparable presence of his humanity and his divinity. Joseph and Mary were certainly the people who most fully understood that, in Jesus, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Following Pope St. John Paul on this, we read: “From the time of the Annunciation, both Joseph and Mary found themselves, in a certain sense, at the heart of the mystery hidden for ages in the mind of God, a mystery which had taken on flesh: ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’ (Jn. 1:14). He dwelt among men, within the surroundings of the Holy Family of Nazareth – one of many families in this small town in Galilee, one of the many families of the land of Israel. There Jesus ‘grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was upon him’ (Lk. 2:40).”  (Pope St. John Paul II. Redemptoris Custos, 15).

When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are never alone. Eucharistic Communion is an eminently communitarian act. In Mass, we are in communion with all men of all times, through a mysterious and wonderful gift from God: through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, communion is made full. Thus, in receiving such a great benefit – the very God who gives himself in the Eucharist – the human heart is called to give thanks. But, how can we be worthy of such a great gift? Saint Joseph Marello guides very clearly: “the best thanksgiving for the great gift of the Most Holy Eucharist is to go and receive it frequently, if possible each day”. Therefore, at every Eucharistic Sacrifice, let us learn from St. Joseph to unite our hearts and minds with our Eucharistic Lord, for He is our God who surrenders to us and anticipates a union that aims to perpetuate itself throughout eternity: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever” (Jn. 6: 51).

Prayer: Lord God, grant us the grace and disposition to welcome Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist and to be united with him just as Saint Joseph was united with Jesus at Nazareth all through his life; thus, learning from St. Joseph, we may come to live out the fruits of the Holy Mass. Amen.

👏🏼👏🏼 Great job praying Day 4! Click here for Day 5 Prayer👏🏼👏🏼

Shalom!
© By Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora da Immaculada Conceição, Paulo Ramos, Maranhão, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?