Saint Joseph - the Spouse

We continue our Week of Prayer as we prepare to celebrate the special year which Pope Francis has dedicated to the ‘The Joy of Love’ in family life. We have chosen Saint Joseph as our inspiration for our Week of Prayer which will end tomorrow on the Feast of Saint Joseph.

Our reflection today is on Saint Joseph the spouse. We pray today for all married couples and for those preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. We pray for the many couples who have had to postpone their marriage as a result of the Covid-19. May all these couples feel supported by their love for one another and by their faith. 

In ‘The Joy of Love’ Pope Francis reminds us that “The space which each of the spouses makes exclusively for their personal relationship with God not only helps heal the hurts of life in common, but also enables the spouses to find in the love of God the deepest source of meaning in their own lives.” (Amoris Laetitia, 320)

In Scripture we read: 

"Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

(Ephesians 4:2)

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.

As we conclude day six of our Week of Prayer ahead of this special Year on the Family,

I offer you a short reflection from Pope’ Francis from ‘The Joy of Love’:

“My advice is never to let the day end without making peace in the family.

And how am I going to make peace? By getting down on my knees?

No! Just by a small gesture, a little something, and harmony within your family will be restored.

Just a little caress, no words are necessary.”

(Amoris Laetitia, 104)

God bless all families.

AMEN