Saint Joseph - the Protector
A heart filled with love has no room for hate.
Friday 19th March 2021 - Saint Joseph the Protector
Feast of Saint Joseph and beginning of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year
We conclude our Week of Prayer and begin the special year which Pope Francis has dedicated to the‘The Joy of Love’ in family life. We chose Saint Joseph as our inspiration for our Week of Prayer and we hope that his life will continue to inspire us though the coming year.
Our reflection today is on Saint Joseph the protector. We pray especially for protection for all families from Covid-19. During the pandemic, we have observed the dedication and generosity of health care professionals, and many other front-line workers as they treated, comforted and served many sick,elderly and vulnerable people in our communities. Many families have shared their appreciation for the gift of human life in all its stages and the lengths to which we go to protect and save life. As we begin the Family Year may we always be called and inspired to guard and protect all human life as sacred and sacrosanct.
In Scripture we read:
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah (1:5)
We pray Pope Francis' Prayer for the Year of Saint Joseph:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
Amen.
Recite together: the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Litany of Saint Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most valiant, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Amen
Concluding prayer
As we conclude our Week of Prayer, we ask for God’s protection for all families through the intercession of Saint Joseph.
We pray his Memorare:
Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
my great protector, Saint Joseph,
that no one ever had recourse to your protection,
or implored your aid without obtaining relief.
Confiding therefore in your goodness,
I come before you. Do not turn down my petitions,
foster father of the Redeemer,
but graciously receive them. Amen.
I offer you a final reflection from Pope’ Francis on the family:
“The spirituality of family love is made up of thousands of small but real gestures.
In that variety of gifts and encounters which deepen communion,
God has his dwelling place.” (Amoris Laetitia, 315)
God bless all families.
AMEN
