St Joseph, Father and Patron

HAPPY ST JOSEPH'S DAY!!

Today we celebrate the feastday of St Joseph. This saint is best known as the foster father of Jesus, but he is also hailed as the Patron of the Catholic church and a great exemplar of faith and interior life.

Observing his feastday was a must for our family because St Joseph is one of the saints we feel very close to. Having been the protector of the Christ Child and His Virgin Mother, we can always rely on his fatherly protection. We also call on him quite often for intercession in most projects and undertakings. The kids fondly refer to him as Pappa Joseph; and he is the patron of both Roadrunner (our 2nd child) and I, as we both were named after the chaste saint.

Joseph of Nazareth (by TIME LIFE, starring Tobias Moretti) was an excellent portrayal of St Joseph, and last night the kids were engaged throughout most of the movie because it was very well made. The film emphasized how unreservedly abandoned St Joseph was to God's will, and how he was more a man of action who very rarely pursued to be heard. He was a man of constant prayer and steadfast interiority.

At school today, we had a discussion of how necessary it is to have that "interior silence" that is so important in order to be able to hear God's voice. For a couple of hours or so (much to my delight) we performed an "experiment" of being silent - in imitation of St Joseph. We all taped our mouths, refrained from talking and just quietly went about our respective tasks. (Actually, I don't think it would hurt if we imposed this practice a little more often, especially after seeing how well the 3 older ones did - perhaps for an hour or so every 19th of the month would be an idea. Besides, it was such a great atmosphere having the peace and quiet! Of course we will aim to do away with the taping of the mouths next time; and perhaps it can be more like a "silence game" where the ultimate goal is to stay silent for the longest possible time. And this would be so great to teach ourselves to appreciate and value silence the way we should - especially in this world whelmed by noise and all sorts of distractions where it is neither easy to recollect nor hear God's voice.


During our morning devotion, we incorporated a beautiful prayer to St Joseph, which is best said as a novena but for us made this day start off that little bit more centred on our favourite patron saint. The prayer is too good not to share with others, so here goes:

NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH
(taken from Radiant Heart Prayerbook)

Ever blessed and glorious Joseph,
kind and loving father
and helpful friend of all in sorrow,
you are the good father and protector of orphans,
the defender of the defenseless,
the patron of those in need and sorrow.
Look kindly on my request.
My sins have drawn down on me
the just displeasure of my God,
and so I am surrounded with unhappiness.
To you, loving guardian of the Family of Nazareth
do I go for help and protection.
I ask it by the loveliness and power
of that Sacred Name - Jesus
which you conferred on the adorable Infant.
I ask it by the painful torture you felt
at the prophecy of Holy Simeon
which declared the Child Jesus and His Holy Mother
future victims of our sins and of Their great love for us.
I ask it through your sorrow and pain of soul
when the angel declared to you
that the life of the Child Jesus was sought by His enemies.
From their evil plan, you had to flee
with Him and His Blessed Mother to Egypt.
I ask it by all the sufferings, weariness and labours
of that long and dangerous journey.
I ask it by all your care to protect the Sacred Child
and His Immaculate Mother during your second journey
when you were ordered to return to your own country.
I ask it by your peaceful life in Nazareth
where you met with so many joys and sorrows.
I ask it by your great distress when the adorable Child
was lost to you and His Mother for three days.
I ask it by your joy at finding Him at the Temple,
and by the comfort you found at Nazareth
while living in the company of the Child Jesus.
I ask it by the wonderful submission He showed
in His obedience to you.
I ask it by the perfect love and conformity
you showed in accepting the divine order
to depart from this life
and from the company of Jesus and Mary.
I ask it by the joy which filled your soul
when the Redeemer of the world,
triumphant over death and hell,
entered into the possession of His Kingdom
and led you into it with special honours.
I ask it through Mary's glorious Assumption
and through that endless happiness
you have with her in the presence of God.
O good father, I beg you,
by all your sufferings, sorrows, and joys,
to hear me and obtain for me what I ask.

(Mention your intention/s.)

Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers
everything that is useful to them in the plan of God.
Finally, my dear patron and father,
be with me in my last moments
that I may eternally sing these praises:

JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH,
I give you my heart and my soul!

JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH,
assist me in my last agony!

JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee!

We spent most of the morning baking "St Joseph's Tools" shortbread. We made the cookies in the shape of a hammer, a wrench, a saw and also a lily (symbol for purity). Considering that it was our first attempt at making shortbread cookies, it did not turn out too badly. We used the leftover butter icing mixture from 2 days ago (used to ice our St Patrick cake) which was still quite appropriate since St Joseph's colour also happens to be, guess what?.. yes, GREEN! Actually, it was a little sweet for my liking(Whoa! I used to be such a sweet tooth but I've seemingly mellowed - hmm.. maybe it comes with age..), but the kids didn't mind it at all.


To finalize the day's celebrations we will be going to evening Mass in commemoration of St Joseph, after which we also hope to spend an hour or so in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to thank Jesus for the witness of the life of this wonderful saint, who will always be a great model for the practice of our faith; and to ask for the grace to be more like him.

Sancte Joseph,
Dei Genitricis sponse,
Christi defensor sedule,
Almae Familiae praeses,
Amator paupertatis
Exemplar opificum,
Domesticae vitae decus,
Custos virginum,
Familiarum columen,
Solatium miserorum,
Spes aegrotantium,
Patrone morientium,
Terror daemonum,
Protector sanctae Ecclesiae
ORA PRO NOBIS!