Happy Feast Day of St. Joseph

In many European countries today is "Father's Day." St. Joseph is the best role model for all fathers. I received the message below from Robert Ritchie, the Director of "America NEeds Fatima." I could not have a better message, so I took the liberty of sharing it with you. The website is below if you would like to visit.

Saint Joseph Prayer and Feast DayMarch 18, 2009

Dear Fatima,

Tomorrow, March 19th, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Joseph, foster-father of Our Lord, chaste spouse of Our Lady, patriarch of the Church, and protector of the needy.
Please take advantage of Saint Joseph's great intercessory power to ask for graces on his feast day. Yes, ask, ask and ask. Do not be shy in asking. For example, Saint Teresa of Avila said this about devotion to Saint Joseph:

"I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services that did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good."

So, if you need a very special grace, I hope you will pray to Saint Joseph.
On my end, I'll be praying with you, asking Saint Joseph to hear your prayer and answer your plea with an abundant response.

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O thou, whom no one has ever yet invoked in vain, thou, whose power with Our Lord and Our Lady is so great, that it has been truly said, "In Heaven, Joseph commands rather than supplicates," tender father, intercede for me!
St. Joseph, be my advocate with thy Divine Son, Whose foster-father and faithful protector thou wert here below. Add to all thy glories, that of gaining the despaired of cause that I confide to thee. I believe, yes, I believe thou canst obtain my deliverance from the troubles that overwhelm me, and the desolation in which my soul is plunged. I have the firm hope that thou wilt neglect nothing in favor of the afflicted who invoke thee.

Humbly prostrate at thy feet, dear St. Joseph, I implore thee to have pity on my tears, cover me with the mantle of thy merciful protection and bless me. Amen.

Sincerely,
Robert E. Ritchie, Director

http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/

Devotion of the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph

As we approach the feast day of our beloved Saint Joseph, let us meditate on the seven sorrows and the seven joys that he experienced during his life as the foster father of Jesus.

The Devotion of the Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St. Joseph

1. The doubt of Saint Joseph (Matthew 1:19) and the Message of the Angel (Matthew 1:20)

O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of your heart when you were minded to put away privately your inviolate Spouse, yet your joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made known to you by the Angel of God!

By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech you to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of your own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . . .

2. The poverty of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:7) and the Birth itself (Luke 2:7)

O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, your sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when you heard the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night.

By this sorrow and this joy, we implore you to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life's pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor of celestial glory.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . . .

3. The Circumcision (Luke 2:21) and the Holy Name of Jesus (Matthew 1:25)

O glorious St. Joseph, you faithfully obeyed the law of God, and your heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Savior during His Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave you new life and filled you with quiet joy.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the Holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . . .

4. The prophecy of Simeon that many would be lost (Luke 2:34) and his prophecy that many would rise (Luke 2:34)

O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused you to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled you with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those, who through merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . . .

5. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:14) and the Overthrow of idols (Isaias 19:1)

O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was yours in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how you did rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly affection fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . . .

6. The return from Egypt (Matthew 2:22) and Life with Mary and Jesus (Luke 2:39)

O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, you did marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to your commands, but your consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by the fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, you dwelt in gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.

By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and may, like you, die in their company.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . .

.

7. The loss of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:45) and Finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46)

O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when you did lose, through no fault of your own, the Child Jesus, you sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy, you found Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors.

By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there in company with you, may we sing the praises of His Divine mercy forever.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be . . .

Antiphon: And Jesus Himself was beginning about the age of thirty, being the Son of Joseph.

V. Pray for us, O holy Joseph,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray. O God, Who in Your ineffable Providence did vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother, grant we beseech You, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

These prayers, with additions and adaptions, were found in the website: http://www.catholictradition.org/Joseph/joseph9.htm