Consecration to St. Joseph (7)

 

Next week, the last Sunday before the start of Lent, we will consecrate our parishes to the Purest Heart of Joseph, and on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday we will consecrate our parish school to him as well.  We have, through prayer, reading, and contemplation, come to know of God’s plan for the part St. Joseph has and will play in the salvation of the world.

Over the past few weeks we have recognized the unique circumstances which have brought the virginal father of Jesus to the fore in these times.  We have seen how St. Joseph is given a particular part to play, and we are given a particular gift, necessary for navigating the particular evils which infect our culture, our world, and our families.

This week I would like to focus on some practicalities concerning our devotion to the Purest Heart of Joseph.  During this year of St. Joseph within the Diocese of La Crosse (which has been extended to close on December 8, 2021, to coincide with the close of the universal holy year) holy cards have been printed with a beautiful picture of St. Joseph and the Child, Jesus, on the one side and the Memorare of St. Joseph and a portion of the Litany of St. Joseph on the reverse.  I hope that by now every home, every person in our parishes has one of these holy cards in their possession and in a place of honor.  Now, what to do with them?  It would be good to pray one or the other (or both!) of these prayers daily, or even another of the many prayers, approved by the Church, to St. Joseph.  Many of these prayers have been included in the novena that is available in the places where prayer cards are made available in each of our churches.  They cover many of the daily concerns of life including our children, our work, the Church, and the world.

The First Wednesday of the month is the day that is designated as special to St. Joseph, just as First Fridays are times of particular devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and First Saturday’s are times of particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Of course, just as we extend devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to all Fridays, and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to all Saturdays, so devotion to the Purest Heart of Joseph is extended to every Wednesday.

Within our parishes we have already, for nearly two years now, prayed a novena to St. Joseph before the daily Mass.  We have also celebrated the votive Mass of St. Joseph when not impeded by an obligatory memorial or other feast.  Many also follow the custom of fasting and / or abstinence on Wednesday in reparation for sins, for the restoration of marriage and family life, and for growth of the faith in the hearts of all.

As we come to the end of our time of preparation, and make our consecration to the Purest Heart of Joseph, may we all deepen daily our devotion to his purest heart and come to know the graces promised.

Here is another YouTube video by Fr. Boniface Hicks on Devotion to St. Joseph.  Enjoy!