Noble Son of the House of David, Pray for Us! © SalveMaterDei.com, 2013
The Holy Catholic Church dedicates the month of March to St. Joseph, whose feast day is celebrated as a Solemnity on March 19. Throughout the month of March, we are urged to ponder more deeply the role of St. Joseph, not only in the lives of Jesus and Mary two millennia ago, but also his role in our lives and the lives of our loved ones today.
I am certainly cognizant of the impact of St. Joseph as role model, intercessor, and patron, in my own life – and am deeply grateful for his guidance and protection. On a personal level, St. Joseph has been a presence in my life since birth – yep, I was born at a St. Joseph Hospital in Ohio. It is uncanny how at all the major moments in my life – joys and sorrows, I can perceive his gentle support. My husband and children were also born at hospitals dedicated to St. Joseph. When my mom needed hip surgery, after having sheared the head off her femur when she was pushed by another agitated resident of an Alzhiemer’s unit – she was treated at, you guessed it – a St. Joseph’s Hospital. Likewise, week after week as I held my Dad’s frail hands during chemotherapy infusions, the care was provided at a St. Joseph’s hospital. Whether it was the joy of new life, or the misery of illness, the presence of St. Joseph was evident in the care of my loved ones – care provided through St. Joseph’s hospitals in 3 different states, and spanning 40+ years.
Head of the Holy Family, Pray for Us! © SalveMaterDei.com, 2013.
I can’t even begin to count the numbers of “Josephs” in my life! Family, friends, mentors: there are so many special Josephs in my life! As I contemplate with gratitude these individuals, I can’t help but perceive that God manifests the strength and character of St. Joseph uniquely through each of these cherished relationships. Some of my Josephs have reflected his wisdom, others his paternal charity, while others his diligent work ethic. Through each of these Josephs I have had the grace to glimpse – even for just a moment- the Holy Heart of St. Joseph, and for this I am profoundly grateful.
Protector of the Church, Pray for Us! © SalveMaterDei.com, 2013.
Lastly, as Catholics, many of us have seen a reflection of the Holy Heart of St. Joseph in our Holy Father Emeritus, who bears as his baptismal name that of the spouse of Mary. In these recent weeks, the humility, courage, and wisdom of our beloved Holy Father have truly been evident. Again, in our Pontiff Emeritus, the Good Lord has chosen to project those saintly virtues upon the canvas of mere human flesh. Like St. Joseph, His Holiness, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, has blessed our lives. Perhaps it is not accidental that the conclave to elect the new pontiff will be initiated during the month dedicated to St. Joseph, the patron of the Universal Church.
The Litany of St. Joseph was approved and promulgated by Pope St. Pius X (who reigned from 1903 to 1914). This magnificent litany can be prayed either individually or in a group. Perhaps this month in particular we might entrust the needs of the Holy Catholic Church to the intercession of St. Joseph.
Please join me as I turn to God with this prayer of praise and thanksgiving for His glorious gift of St. Joseph – and as I seek his intercession for all the Josephs in our lives who reflect the goodness of his Holy Heart.
Litany of St. Joseph
Lord have mercy… Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy… Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy… Lord have mercy
God our Father in Heaven… have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world… have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit… have mercy on us
Most Holy Trinity, one God… have mercy on us
Holy Mary … pray for us
St. Joseph … pray for us
Noble son of the house of David … pray for us
Light of patriarchs … pray for us
Husband of the Mother of God … pray for us
Guardian of Virgins … pray for us
Foster father of the Son of God … pray for us
Faithful guardian of Christ … pray for us
Head of the Holy Family … pray for us
Joseph, chaste and just … pray for us
Joseph, prudent and brave … pray for us
Joseph, obedient and loyal … pray for us
Pattern of patience … pray for us
Lover of poverty … pray for us
Model of workers … pray for us
Example to parents … pray for us
Guardian of virgins … pray for us
Pillar of family life … pray for us
Comfort of the troubled pray for us
Hope of the sick … pray for us
Patron of the dying … pray for us
Terror of evil spirits … pray for us
Protector of the Church … pray for us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world … have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world … have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world … have mercy on us
V. God made him master of His household.
R. And put him in charge of all that He owned.
Oremus: Let us pray
Almighty God,
In Your infinite wisdom and love, You chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary, the Mother of Your Son. May we enjoy His protection on earth, may we have the help of his prayers in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen
Holy Heart of St. Joseph, Please Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
M.A. JMJ
Salve Sancta Mater Dei 
Mary Anne, did you see that Cardinal Dolan is asking us to join him in a novena to St. Joseph in preparation for the new pope? http://blog.archny.org/index.php/asking-st-joseph-to-help-us-prepare-for-a-new-pope/
Thank you Anne, I had not seen this! I will add an addendum to the blog. We have been praying a Novena to the Holy Spirit (at Kenny’s suggestion), praying aloud the Veni Creator as a group. Several priests have suggested the St. Michael Prayer, and we have been focusing more intently on praying this powerful prayer well during these turbulent times. I will actively promote Cardinal Dolan’s request for a Novena to St. Joseph for the conclave. In my heart, I’ve had a feeling that either the conclave will start on St. Joseph’s Feast or that White Smoke will be seen on that day…. I do perceive that it is essential to prayerfully invoke St. Joseph’s powerful intercession at this pivotal moment in our history. Thank you again for the link.
Blessings,
ad Jesum per Mariam,
Mary Anne
My middle name, my father’s and his father’s is Joseph, and it was the first name of my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather as well. You could say St. Joseph runs in my family! 🙂
Jacob, you are prime example of those special “Josephs” in my life (and the lives of my children) -gifts from God who consistently reflect the virtues of the Saintly Foster Father of Our Lord, and chosen chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin. You are a blessing..
In Christ,
M.A.