Consecration to the Purest Heart of Joseph (1)

As announced last December 8^th, we will be spending the next five weeks preparing for a parish-wide consecration to the Purest Heart of St. Joseph (also referred to as the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph).  This is the next step in a three-part consecration to that which we have implored at the end of Mass for over a year now: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us; Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us; Purest Heart of Joseph, pray for us.

I have been determined that we make this consecration in the Tri-Parishes because I had become convinced that St. Joseph is a necessary addition to our common spiritual life and discipline.  The problems we are faced with today call out in a particular way for the intercession and assistance of the Guardian of the Redeemer, within our Church, within our homes, and within our own hearts.

This consecration will take place within our parishes and school on the weekend and following week of February 14 (Ash Wednesday is Feb. 17).  There are a couple of particularly good resource which Deacon Sam and I will be referencing as we prepare our homilies and which I will make use of in preparing other resources.  The first is a relatively new book by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, titled: “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father”.  I will also post articles, videos, and reflections on my blog: Three Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (3heartsjmj.blogspot.com).

Some might ask: “When we have already consecrated ourselves to Jesus, why consecrate ourselves to Mary and Joseph as well?  It seems counterintuitive to be consecrating ourselves to more than ONE person.”  Indeed, in can seem that way.  But the truth of the matter is, our consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a sure, time-honored, way of growing closer to the Most Sacred Heart of her Son.  And in our consecration to St. Joseph that familial circle is completed.  In Jesus, we have a Brother, Who has given us His own mother to be our mother; however, even as His own Father desired that He not be without a father in His earthly life, so our Lord desires that this same “just man” who cared for Him in His earthly life care for us and guard us, His brothers and sister, on our earthly pilgrimage, our way to Him, as well.