Day 2: Patron and Protector of the Universal Church
“The Church took its beginning from Jesus Christ, who was its Divine founder. The first to form part of that Church was Mary; the second was Joseph. But of this nascent Church, limited as yet to the Holy Family, who was the tutor, the protector, the head? Joseph. And, if he filled this office towards the Church at its birth, he did not cease to exercise it after its birth and diffusion throughout the world.”
– The Life and Glories of Saint Joseph, by Edward Healy Thompson
Our Lenten Effort
During times of scandal in the church, both moral and financial, let us not forget that the saints always defend Holy Mother Church and always pick up and restore the broken pieces caused by human sin and frailty. Let us invoke the aid of St. Joseph, Patron and Protector of the Universal Church, as we do our duty to love and support the One True Church,
which “the gates of hell shall not prevail against.”
Let us resolve to:
- Pray to St. Joseph for protection of the Church against her enemies.
- Seek to educate ourselves on the treasure of the Church’s teachings.
- Live out the New Evangelization, reaching out to Catholics who have become distant from the Faith.
Novena Prayer
O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
O Saint 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. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us.
(Here mention your request)
Saint Joseph, I honor you as the true husband of Mary, who belonged to you with all she was and had. No other person so won her esteem, obedience, and love.
This union of marriage brought you into daily familiar association with Mary, the loveliest of God’s creatures, and enabled you to share with her a mutual spirituality. Mary found her edification in your calm, humble, and deep virtue, purity, and sanctity. Your marriage was the way in which God chose to have Jesus introduced into the world, a great divine mystery from which all benefits have come to us.
Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being the virginal husband of Mary. I beg of you to obtain for me the grace to love Jesus with all my heart, as you did, and to love Mary with some of the tenderness and loyalty with which you loved her. Amen.
