Prayer of Bl. Pope John Paul II (Montreal, Canada 1984)

Saint Joseph, with you, for you, we bless the Lord. He chose you among all men to be the chaste spouse of Mary, the one who would remain at the threshold of the mystery of her divine maternity, and who, after her, would accept it in faith as the work of the Holy Spirit.

You gave to Jesus legal paternity in the line of David. You constantly watched over the Mother and the Child with an affectionate concern, in order to protect their lives and to allow them to accomplish their destiny.

The Saviour Jesus deigned to submit himself to you, as to a father, throughout his childhood and adolescence and to receive from you an apprenticeship in human life, while you shared his life in the adoration of his mystery. You remain at his side. Continue to protect the whole church, the family born of the salvation of Jesus. Protect especially the people of Canada who have placed themselves under your patronage. Help them to come closer to the mystery of Christ in that attitude of faith, submission and love that was your own. 

See the spiritual and material needs of all those who beg your intercession, particularly families and those who are poor, in every sense; through you, they are certain to find Mary's maternal face and the hand of Jesus to assist them. 

And you, Blessed (Saint) Brother Andre Bessette, porter of the college and keeper of this Oratory, give hope to all those who continue to seek your help. Teach them confidence in the virtue of prayer, and, with it, the path of conversion and the sacraments. Through you and through Saint Joseph, may God continue to pour out his blessings on the Congregation of the Holy Cross, on all those who come to this Oratory, on the City of Montreal, on the people of Quebec, on the Canadian people, and on the whole church. Amen.

Here, in this Oratory, where so many graces have been granted, we pray for the intercession of Saint Joseph. In the lives of Mary and Jesus he had a humble role to play, that of a servant, in intimate and continuous contact with the Son of God. Above all else, we are servants of the Son of God.

Blessed Pope John Paul II
St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal, QC 

ST. JOSEPH: A TREASURY - BOOK UPDATE

 

                         ST JOSEPH: A TREAURY - NEW BOOK UPDATE

Hello to the members of the Apostolate, the release date for the new book (made to compliment the first book) will be released on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. To those who contributed with their gifts toward the publication of this work, I will be sending out your copies before the sun sets on this date. As contributors you will also receive a little something extra in your packages. I believe I have everyone's address on file, if any of you have changed address please message me privately with the new info ASAP.

The book is also available for purchase by everyone else at the cost of $25.00 (keep in mind the book features over 100 full-color images) - proceeds go toward providing St Joseph sacramentals, (such as scapulars, holy oil, etc...) as well as the distribution of the 2 books "St. Joseph Prince of the Church" and "St. Joseph: A Treasury", to those who cannot afford them.

Again, I tell you the purpose of this Apostolate is not profit but, rather, the spreading of devotion to St Joseph, for God's greater glory, worldwide.

Please be sure to read our Apostolate Blog and to check the Website often.

www.PrinceOfTheChurch.yolasite.com

  

* 211 Pages - Over 100 FULL COLOR Images 

* Reflections of the Great Saints and Pontiffs 

* Contains the "Holy Cloak of St. Joseph"
* Entrustments of Pope Benedict XVI to St. Joseph

Excerpt from DIVINI REDEMPTORIS 1937

by Pope Pius XI

 

To hasten the advent of that "peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ"[1] so ardently desired by all, We entrust the vast campaign of the Church against world Communism under the standard of St. Joseph, her mighty Protector. He belongs to the working-class, and he bore the burdens of poverty for himself and the Holy Family, whose tender and vigilant head he was. To him was entrusted the Divine Child when Herod loosed his assassins against Him. In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, he left an example for all those who must gain their bread by the toil of their hands. He won for himself the title of "The Just," serving thus as a living model of that Christian justice which should reign in social life.



Apostolate of St Joseph Prince of the Church

1. Encycl. Ubi Arcano, Dec. 23, 1922 (A.A.S., Vol. XIV, 1922,p.691). .

A Cautionary Tale for Catholic Bishops

By Edwin Faust

Every objective indicator points to the rapid decline and eventual demise of the Episcopal Church in America. From a membership of 3 million in 1970, the church now claims about 1 million adherents. And mind you, these are official figures. The number of Episcopalians regularly attending services and offering financial support may be much lower. 

The Episcopal Church recently held its annual General Chapter, in which about 1000 members participated. The bishops — the upper house in the Chapter’s bicameral legislature — set the agenda and pretty much run the show, which by all accounts is more of a social gathering than a serious religious convocation.

So how did the bishops confront the alarming facts of the church’s rapidly shrinking membership? By tackling the issue head on? Hardly. The Chapter’s two principal decisions were addressed to the pressing matters of pet funerals and genetically modified foods. 

You can now have your dog or cat interred with liturgical dignity, thanks to the Chapter’s bold action. And should you indulge in genetically engineered edibles, know that you ingest with the express disapproval of the Episcopal hierarchy.

The dereliction of the General Chapter in the face of the church’s imminent demise certainly appears ludicrous. It is also clear evidence of the leadership’s tacit acceptance of the church’s irrelevance as a serious religious institution. Of course, the human capacity for delusion ever amazes and it may be that the Chapter members imagined they were engaged in significant deliberations.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops should take note of developments in their “sister church.” After decades of issuing largely unread documents that endorse the progressive agenda of the Democratic Party, the USCCB has tried to assert itself as the champion of religious freedom by opposing the Obama Administration on the issue of mandatory health-insurance coverage for contraception. 

But the bishops have been either largely mute on the issue of artificial contraception, or have in some instances called for a rethinking of the Catholic teaching. And as it is known that some Catholic institutions already cover the cost of contraception in their healthcare packages, the bishops’ opposition appears more of a turf war than a battle over moral principle. 

Meanwhile, the progressives at the USCCB are carrying on business as usual, backing leftwing policies on social issues and being politically correct liberals. It is easy to see why the Obama Administration takes their protest on the healthcare mandate so lightly. It is impossible to imagine the USCCB backing a conservative political agenda. It has a deep-seated phobia of the Republican Party and has shown that it can accommodate “Catholic” officials who oppose Church teaching on abortion and an array of other doctrinal matters. 

The next time the Catholic bishops meet, will they make an honest assessment of the state of the Church and begin to assert their moral authority in issues that matter, or will they take up the pressing question: Should we have funeral rites for Fido?

                                                                                                                   

Good St Joseph, Prince of the Church, please guide, protect and inspire these Bishops, so that they will faithfully serve the Church and strive for the salvation of the souls entrusted to their care. +Amen.
                                                                                                                  

www.PrinceOfTheChurch.yolasite.com 

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Our Human Body & the Four Elements

  From a Sermon by St Anthony

Our human body is made up of the four elements, Fire, Air, Water and Earth: Fire is in the eyes, Air is in the mouth, Water is in the loins and Earth is in the hands and feet. In the sinner's body, since he is a slave to sin, Fire flourishes in the eyes by curiosity, Air in the mouth by talkativeness, Water in the loins by lust and Earth in the hands and feet by cruelty. 

The Son of God veiled His face (on which the angels long to gaze) to restrain the curiosity of our eyes. He was dumb before not just His shearer but His murderer and, when He was ill-treated, He did not open His mouth, so as to check your talkativeness.

His side was opened by the lance, so that He might draw out of you the misfortune of lust. His hands and feet were fastened with nails, to drive cruelty from your hands and feet. Take your son, then, your mirth, your flesh, and offer it completely as a holocaust, so that you may be wholly on fire with Charity that covers a multitude of sins.  

 www.PrinceOfTheChurch.yolasite.com

St Joseph & St John the Beloved

St Joseph & John the Beloved

The Two Men Closest to Christ.

The Two Guardians of Our Lady

Just some curiosities I put together:

God entrusted into Joseph’s care His most precious gifts to the world: Our Lord Jesus Christ – the Redeemer of men – and Our Immaculate Mother Mary. St Joseph was told by the angel to take Mary into his home, as his wife. 

St. John inherited the treasure of Our Lady the Ark of the New Covenant: was told by Jesus on the cross (since St Joseph had died by now) to take Mary as his mother and be her Guardian – just as her husband Joseph had taken care of her.

If Jesus had brothers and sisters surely they would not refuse their mother, so Our Lord, while dying an agonizing death, turned His thoughts to His mother’s welfare. St John inherited the gift of the Mother of God for all mankind, he represents us all as followers of Christ. Our Lord rested his head against St Joseph’s chest, hearing his heart beat with love for Him. St John the Beloved rested his head against Our Lord’s chest, hearing His heart beat with love for mankind, at the Last Supper. St Joseph and St John the Beloved were the two men closest to Christ. St. John the Beloved: Place of prominence next to Our Lord, the Bread of Life, at the Last Supper. (Institution of the Eucharist). St Joseph’s hometown: Bethlehem “House of Bread”. Joseph is the first man to receive the Bread of Eternal Life into his hands.

 
Our Lady Appeared at Knock, Ireland with her Guardians at her side.

 
http://www.knock-shrine.ie/witnesses-accounts

Both St Joseph and St John the Beloved appeared at Knock, Ireland w/ Our Lady and Lamb of God surrounded by angels. Joseph, on Our Lady’s right hand side, inclines his head, facing toward Our Lady. He is showing her love and respect. Our Lady has hands raised as she looks Heavenward in thanksgiving for God’s graces, John the Beloved on the left hand side of the Blessed Virgin holding the scriptures. To the left of John is the Lamb of God surrounded by adoring angels. It depicts a sort of Family Portrait. To read more about this, I refer you to the official website of the Shrine at Knock, Ireland.

Anyway, these were just some thoughts, dot connecting I did. I think there is something special in St. Joseph and John the Beloved since they took care of Our Lady in life and honor her in Heaven. We should heed their example of devotion to the Virgin Mary and their willingness to always do God’s Will. Glory to God! Peace to us! 

www.BookOfJoseph2017.wixsite.com/SaintJoseph
 

Quemadmodum Deus

Blessed Pope Pius IX

  Official Decree Given on December 8, 1870 Proclaiming

 St. Joseph to be Patron of the Catholic Church 

As almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time had come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, He chose another Joseph, of whom the first had been the type, and He made him the lord and chief of His household and possessions, the guardian of His choicest treasures.

Indeed, he had as his spouse the Immaculate Virgin Mary, of whom was born by the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ our Lord, who deigned to be reputed in the sight of men as the son of Joseph, and was subject to him.

Him whom countless kings and prophets had desired to see, Joseph not only saw but conversed with, and embraced in paternal affection, and kissed. He most diligently reared Him whom the faithful were to receive as the bread that came down from heaven whereby they might obtain eternal life.

Because of this sublime dignity which God conferred on his most faithful servant, the Church has always most highly honored and praised blessed Joseph next to his spouse, the Virgin Mother of God, and has besought his intercession in times of trouble.

And now therefore, when in these most troublesome times the Church is beset by enemies on every side, and is weighed down by calamities so heavy that ungodly men assert that the gates of hell have at length prevailed against her, the venerable prelates of the whole Catholic world have presented to the Sovereign Pontiff their own petitions and those of the faithful committed to their charge, praying that he would deign to constitute St. Joseph Patron of the Church. And this time their prayer and desire was renewed by them even more earnestly at the Sacred Ecumenical Council of the Vatican.

Accordingly, it has now pleased our Most Holy Sovereign, Pope Pius IX, in order to entrust himself and all the faithful to the Patriarch St. Joseph’s most powerful patronage, has chosen to comply with the prelates’ desire and has solemnly declared him Patron of the Catholic Church.

He has also ordered that his feast on March 19th by henceforth celebrated as a double of the first class, without any Octave, however, because of Lent. He arranged, moreover, that a declaration to this effect be promulgated through the present decree of The Sacred Congregation of Rites on this day sacred to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, the most chaste Joseph’s Spouse. All things to the contrary notwithstanding.  

Click below for prayer

Prayer Composed by Pius IX

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The Praises of St. Joseph

 

In the Name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

O Holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed by thy soul, which was adorned with all the virtues and gifts of the Holy Ghost. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

 

O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thine intellect, which was full of the most sublime knowledge of God and was enlightened with revelations.

Glory be to ...

O holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thy will, which all inflamed with love for Jesus and Mary and always perfectly conformable to the Divine Will.

Glory be to ...

O Holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thine eyes, to which it was granted to look continually upon Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O Holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be thine ears, which merited to hear the sweet words of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O Dear St. Joseph, ever blessed be thy tongue, which continually praised God and with profound humility and reverence conversed with Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O Chaste St. Joseph, ever blessed be thy most pure and loving heart, with which thou didst ardently love Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O Holy Joseph, ever blessed be thy thoughts, words and actions, each and all of which ever tended to the service of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O Holy Patriarch Joseph, ever blessed be all the moments of thy life, which thou didst spend in the service of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O my Protector St. Joseph, ever blessed be that moment of thy life in which thou didst most sweetly die in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O Glorious St. Joseph, ever blessed be that moment in which thou didst enter into the eternal joys of Heaven.

Glory be to ...

O Happy St. Joseph, ever blessed in eternity be every moment in which, until now, in union with all the Saints of Heaven, thou hast enjoyed the incomprehensible bliss of union with God, with Jesus and Mary.

Glory be to ...

O my Dear Protector! Be ever blessed by  me and by all creatures, for all eternity, with all the blessings which the Most Holy Trinity bestowed upon thee and with all the benedictions given thee by Jesus and Mary and by the whole Church.

Glory be to ...

O Thrice Holy Joseph, blessed in soul and body, in life and death, on earth and in Heaven. Obtain for me, a poor sinner, a share in thy blessings, the grace to imitate thee ardently, and to love and faithfully serve Jesus, Mary, and thyself, and especially the happiness to die in thy holy arms. 

In the Name of the Father + and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Ite Ad Ioseph