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Charlene Rack offers words of encouragement as we enter the second half of our Year of St. Joseph devotional journey.

Father’s Day month is the perfect time to revisit Pope Francis’s Apostolic Letter Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart). Recall that Our Holy Father honored the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church by proclaiming a Year of Saint Joseph, which continues through Dec 8, 2021. As we gear up for the remainder of this merited reverence for St. Joseph, we can fine-tune our efforts and increase our St. Joseph “infrastructure.”

We might need to complete (or renew) our Consecration to St. Joseph (by Donald H. Calloway, MIC). Fr. Calloway has such a compelling and bold style, and unapologetically argues the point that NOW IS THE TIME for a groundswell of devotion to St. Joseph. We desperately need St. Joseph’s strengths and intercession. Our patron saint should be well represented in our homes! We should be working to augment our supply of books about St. Joseph.

In case you missed it, fellow CM contributor, Christine Vincent, published an article in March about St. Joseph books for children.

Additional books that I can recommend:

Consecration to Jesus Through St. Joseph by Dr. Gregory Bottaro & Jennifer Settle 

A Manuel of Practical Devotion to St. Joseph by Father Patrignani, S.J. 

The Divine Favors Granted to St. Joseph by Père Benet 

Go to Joseph by Richard Gilsdorf 

Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph (compiled from traditional sources) 

 

St. Joseph statues, books, and sacramentals

 

Hopefully, you’ve also unearthed “new” prayers and other devotionals meant to draw you and your family further under St. Joseph’s protective shelter. Remember that both the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, were under the care, protection, and command of St. Joseph. We’re in good hands when we choose to place ourselves there, too.

The Blessed Mother revealed to St. Bridget that St. Joseph frequently uttered these words: “Heaven grant that I may live so as to accomplish the Will of my God.” When we turn earnestly to Joseph, we are learning to live as he lived, and growing in virtuous conduct with his powerful intercession. In addition to conformity to the Will of God, his virtues are listed as follows: faith, purity, fidelity, humility, obedience, patience, charity, modesty, love of silence, and devotion. What a wonderful father and unimpeachable example for us in our daily life of faith! 

 

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As we gear up for the remainder of Year of St. Joseph, we can fine-tune our efforts and increase our St. Joseph “infrastructure.” #catholicmom

Here are few other suggestions for providing a halftime recharge for the whole family:

Have you heard of the St. Joseph Chaplet? It’s set up for meditating on fifteen, scripture-based mysteries concerning the life of St. Joseph (it’s short and easy). You can purchase the special chaplets online. Luckily, I have a friend who offers rosary-making workshops, and she was kind enough to make two chaplets for me. 

You might also consider adding a “Three Hearts” image to your home décor, which includes the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph. And I’m sure the “sleeping Joseph” statue would be a favorite of young children. (Frugal folks like me can make a little pillow for your upright statue and just lay it down at night, with prayer requests under the pillow!)

 

"Three hearts" sticker: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Chaste Heart of St. Joseph

 

Another powerful devotional that I recently discovered is the Cord of St Joseph. The Catholic Company shares the history of this devotion:

This beautiful devotion began 400 years ago in the small town of Antwerp, Belgium. An Augustinian nun named Sr. Elizabeth was suffering from a mysterious and painful illness; doctors admitted that it would most likely lead to her death. Having a special devotion to St. Joseph, she asked that a cord be blessed in his honor. She wrapped this cord around her waist. A few days later, her pain disappeared while she was praying for St. Joseph’s intercession. Multiple doctors assessed her case and proclaimed her cure to be miraculous.

Almost 200 years later, the miracle was publicized, and in March of 1842, this devotional cord was adopted by a hospital in Verona, Italy, and distributed to its patients. On September 19, 1859, the devotion of St. Joseph’s cord was officially adopted, a blessing formula created, indulgences added by Pope Pius IX, and widespread private use permitted.

 

FrancisMary.org lists the five graces associated with the prayers and practice of this devotion:

St. Joseph’s special protection, purity of soul, the grace of chastity, final perseverance, and particular assistance at the hour of death. This site also gives instructions for making your own cord, and provides the daily prayers associated with the devotion.

 

With all the resources available to us, we’re sure to finish out this liturgical year stronger than ever, with powerful St. Joseph cheering us on!

 

St Joseph statue


Copyright 2021 Charlene Rack
Images copyright 2021 Charlene Rack. All rights reserved.