Day 9: Most Obedient and Faithful
“But Mary and her holy spouse never acted on the impulse of feeling or passion. They followed God’s guidance, and committed the consequences to Him. Joseph, to whom it appertained to direct all the movements of the Holy Family, was himself a docile instrument in God’s hands. That some human fears for the safety of his precious charge must at times have pressed painfully on his tender heart we may well suppose, without detracting from his merit; nay, they even added to it.”
– The Life and Glories of Saint Joseph, by Edward Healy Thompson
Our Lenten Effort
In our culture, we are expected to question and be wary of what is good, but never what is evil. It is in these times most important to invoke one whose title is Most Obedient and Faithful, the pious St. Joseph, for Our Lord loves obedience even above sacrifice. St. Joseph never questioned the Will of God; We can learn from his silent acceptance.
Let us resolve to:
- Pray to St. Joseph for acceptance of God’s Will.
- Pray to St. Joseph for docility in our work and family life.
- Teach your children the importance of obedience to God and parents.
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, how fitting it was at your death that Jesus should stand at your bedside with Mary, the sweetness and hope of all mankind.
You gave your entire life to the service of Jesus and Mary; at death you enjoyed the consolation of dying in their loving arms. You accepted death in the spirit of loving submission to the Will of God, and this acceptance crowned your hidden life of virtue. Yours was a merciful judgment, for your foster Son was your Judge, and Mary was your advocate.
You looked into eternity and to your everlasting reward with confidence. If our Savior blessed the shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, John the Baptist, and others, because they devotedly greeted Him for a brief passing hour, how much more did He bless you, His foster father? Our Divine Savior paid His debt of gratitude by granting you many graces in your lifetime, and the final grace of a peaceful death.
Saint Joseph, please obtain for me also the grace of a happy death. Help me to remember daily my final end, and to accept death in the spirit of resignation to God’s Holy Will. May I die, as you did, in the arms of Jesus, strengthened by Holy Viaticum, and in the arms of Mary, with her rosary in my hand and her name on my lips! Amen.
