Day 28 - Mar. 19

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today is the Feast of St. Joseph and so we pause on our journey to thank God for the beauty of this great and humble saint. How dear he is to Jesus and Mary! How willingly he prays with them for us, that we may draw closer to the God of Love whom Joseph loved and served on this earth.

In our reading for today, we ponder the sufferings of Jesus. During this week of seeking to know Jesus, we see Him as the Suffering Servant Who gave Himself:

Today's Reading
Matthew 26:1, 26–29, 36–46

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these words, he said to his disciples: You know that after two days shall be the pasch, and the son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified...

...And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins. And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father...

...Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.

May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph intercede for us that we not be "asleep" but awake and ready to serve with them the Father Who loved the world so much He sent His Son. Please let us continue to pray for one another.

Jesus, we trust in you.
Mary our Mother, pray for us.
St. Joseph, husband of Mary and Protector of Jesus and His Church, pray for us.

Suggested prayers and reading are [HERE](http://totalconsecration.ageofmary.com/preparation-28.html)

 

[A_G]

A Special Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

Memorare to Saint Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you, and beg your protection. despise not, O foster-father of the Redeemer, my humble supplication but in your bounty hear and answer me. Amen.

http://www.stjudeshop.com/resources/StJudeShop/images/products/processed/800-111.zoom.a.jpg

St. Joseph, foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and worker, Pray for us!

 

[MariaChristi]

A Special Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

Memorare to Saint Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you, and beg your protection. despise not, O foster-father of the Redeemer, my humble supplication but in your bounty hear and answer me. Amen.

http://www.stjudeshop.com/resources/StJudeShop/images/products/processed/800-111.zoom.a.jpg

St. Joseph, foster-father and guardian of the Incarnate Word, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and worker, Pray for us!

Dear A.G.

Thanks for your response. I believe that my love for our Mother Mary and for St. Joseph took a giant step forward when I was a teenager in the Legion of Mary. Our Spiritual Director was a Dominican Sister and she told us at our Legion Meeting that on her way from the convent to the school where we had our weekly Legion meetings, she was passing a statue of Our Lady, and asked her, “Mother, what shall I talk to the girls about this evening?” Sister told us that immediately she felt that Mary told her, “Tell them about my husband”. She did, and from that night on, I knew in my own heart a deeper love for both Mary and Joseph and felt they were more “real” than I had before in my life.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless us and bless our families, by interceding for us before Our Father in heaven.

 

[A_G]

Dear A.G.

Thanks for your response. I believe that my love for our Mother Mary and for St. Joseph took a giant step forward when I was a teenager in the Legion of Mary. Our Spiritual Director was a Dominican Sister and she told us at our Legion Meeting that on her way from the convent to the school where we had our weekly Legion meetings, she was passing a statue of Our Lady, and asked her, “Mother, what shall I talk to the girls about this evening?” Sister told us that immediately she felt that Mary told her, “Tell them about my husband”. She did, and from that night on, I knew in my own heart a deeper love for both Mary and Joseph and felt they were more “real” than I had before in my life.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless us and bless our families, by interceding for us before Our Father in heaven.

Beautiful story… thanks for sharing!

God Bless