♔ ST. JOSEPH: QUALIFIED GUARDIAN OF THE ETERNAL SON ♔ - St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales: If princes of this world are most careful in choosing tutors for their sons, taking pains to secure the best that can be found, do you think that God did not select the man who was the most perfectly qualified to be the guardian of His eternal Son, the Lord of heaven and earth?

♔ POPE FRANCIS' PRAYER TO THE HOLY FAMILY ♔

Jesus, Mary and Joseph
to you, Holy Family of Nazareth,
today we turn our gaze
with admiration and confidence;
in you we contemplate
the beauty of communion in true love;
to you we commend our families,
so that in them marvels of grace be renewed.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
alluring school of the Gospel:
teach us to imitate your virtues
with a wise spiritual discipline,
grant us a clear vision
that recognizes the work of Providence
in the daily realities of life.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
faithful custodian of the mystery of salvation:
help us to regain an appreciation for silence,
make our families cenacles of prayer
and transform them into little domestic Churches,
renew the desire for sanctity,
sustain the noble toil of work, of education,
of listening, of mutual understanding and of forgiveness.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
reawaken in our society the consciousness
of the sacred and inviolable character of the family,
an inestimable and irreplaceable good.
May every family be a place where goodness and peace are welcomed for children and for the elderly,
for those who are sick and alone,
for those who are poor and needy.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
we pray to you with confidence,
we entrust ourselves to you with joy.

 

 

♔ Natale Christi Hilare et Faustum Annum Novum! ♔

♔ ECSTASY OF ST JOSEPH AT THE NATIVITY ♔

The hearer of the words of God hath said, he that hath beheld the vision of the Almighty, he that falleth, and so his eyes are opened. - Numbers 24:4

he oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered, - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/ecstasy#sthash.DESlhT0l.dpuf

A seldom asked question is, “Was Joseph present at the moment of Christ’s Birth?” Some Eastern Rites believe that he went out looking for a midwife and when he returned with her, the child had already been born. However, according to Venerable Maria de Agreda (1602-1665) and St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), St. Joseph was indeed present at Christ’s birth. We are told that blessed Joseph was enraptured in holy ecstasy and called out of it when Our Lord was born:

Venerable Maria de Agreda:  Saint Joseph retired to a corner of the entrance, where he began to pray. He was immediately visited by the Holy Spirit and felt a most sweet and extraordinary influence, by which he was wrapt and elevated into an ecstasy. In it was shown him all that passed during that night in this blessed cave; for he did not return to consciousness until his heavenly spouse called him. Such was the sleep which Saint Joseph enjoyed in that night, more exalted and blessed than that of Adam in paradise.  . . .  Joseph issued from his ecstasy and, on being restored to consciousness, the first sight of his eyes was the divine Child in the arms of the Virgin Mother reclining against her sacred countenance and breast. There he adored Him in profoundest humility and in tears of joy he kissed His feet in great joy and admiration. 

St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: . . . I saw the stable of Bethlehem filled with great radiance. The Blessed Virgin, all lost in the deepest of love, was wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, but Joseph was still asleep as it were (in his ecstacy). Only after the Mother of God put Jesus in the manger, did the light of God awaken Joseph, who also prayed. 

Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican Gardens, 5 July 2010: On that holy night, in Bethlehem, with Mary and the Child, is Joseph, to whom the Heavenly Father entrusted the daily care of his Son on earth, a care carried out with humility and in silence.

So as we can see, St. Joseph was present at the birth of the Holy Child as God would not want him to miss the greatest moment of his life. Though St. Joseph was experiencing an ecstasy of the Nativity, he was still present and once he was awakened from it he was the first man to adore the Divine Child. He held the Infant in his arms and kissed the feet of the Lord. Joseph was, as most fathers would be, at this moment: anxious, joyful, and proud! His wife had just given birth to Love Incarnate, the Saviour, and a New Adam for the world!

Genesis 17:16 – I will bless her, and she shall be the mother of nations . . .

St. Luke 2:7 – . . . she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Revelation 12:5 – And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations.

Words cannot truly express the magnitude of this event in history. This single moment, the bringing of this child into our world, means one thing to us, yet there are so many ways to describe what has just taken place. Salvation has just been given to us in this Child! We hear the choirs of angels rejoicing at the birth with the night sky illuminated as if it were day, the choirs emanating light as they sound the hymn of praise to Almighty God. Salvation has come to mankind!

Revelation 19:6-7 – And I heard as it were a voice of a great crowd, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Alleluia! . . . Let us be glad and rejoice and give glory to Him;”

Psalm 113:1-4 – Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord . . . From the rising and setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised! High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is His glory!

♔ PATERNAL AUTHORITY ♔

On this most holy of nights, Joseph entered into the nobility of fatherhood and his paternity was far more superior to that of a “legal guardian” or “foster-father” as many people are known to label him. Jesus, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, was the crowning splendour of the virginal espousals of St. Joseph and Our Lady. He wished to humble himself by being born of a woman and by submitting himself to the paternal authority of his chosen father Joseph, thereby establishing a true relationship between father and son. Joseph assumed all responsibility and honour befitting a father and it was Jesus who willed that he be master over himself and his Blessed Mother, giving St. Joseph his rightful place as the head of the Holy Family. Though Christ is King and Our Lady is Queen, Joseph has sovereign authority over both of them as the established father-head of the family.

Psalm 105:21 – He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possessions.

St. Luke 12:42, 44 – Who dost thou think, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will set over his household . . . ? Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his goods. 

♔ The Birth of Christ - A Masterpiece of Love! ♔ - by Servant of God Sister Lucia of Fatima

We recall the Birth of Jesus Christ, God made man. This is a masterpiece of love! God descends from Heaven to the earth, to save His poor creatures. Yes, He came from Heaven; He became man, embracing the humble existence of His creation! He, who is eternal God as the Father, equal to the Father in power, wisdom, and love! Born as a man, but is eternal as God!

He came into the world and was made man and was manifested as Light, Light that shines in the darkness: Present among us today as then, but now his humanity is veiled; is present in His Word and by His Works, in the Eucharist and in the Sacraments, the Church and in the person of each of our brothers and sisters. For those who follow Christ, find in Him the Light and Life.

This is how the Birth of Jesus Christ took place: «Joseph, leaving the city of Nazareth, in Galilee, went to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his wife, who was with child. And, while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region, there were shepherds (...) The Angel of the Lord appeared to them and said to them: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; this day, in the city of David, a Savior was born for you, who is Christ the Lord”» (Lk 2, 4-12).

St. Luke then refers to the shepherds, who saw and heard what was said to them and they believed and praised God. In the same way, we should also revive our faith in the revelation which God gives us here; we must believe and say: «My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You».

And, like Our Lady, we must keep all these truths in our hearts, with faith, hope and love.

♔ ST. JOSEPH DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO JESUS & MARY ♔ - Pope Francis

♔ Pope Francis, December 17, 2014 ♔ They are great Saints: Mary, the holiest woman, Immaculate, and Joseph, the most just man... How much fathers can draw from the example of Joseph, the just man who dedicated his life to supporting and defending the child and his spouse – his family – in difficult moments! As Mary and Joseph did, every Christian family can receive Jesus, listen to him, talk with him, guard and protect him, grow with him, and thus improve the world. Let us make a place in our heart and in our days for the Lord – as Mary and Joseph also did.

♔ ST. JOSEPH HUMBLE ARTISAN ♔ - Venerable Pope Pius XII

Remember: Every Wednesday is dedicated to St. Joseph. Let us honor St. Joseph and contemplate his humble and just example of diligent labor and perfect union with God! May almighty God be praised and glorified through His wonderful mysteries! 

 

Venerable Pope Pius XII, 11 March 1958: O glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, humble and just artisan of Nazareth, thou hast given to all Christians, and particularly to us, an example of a perfect life through diligent labor and admirable union with Jesus and Mary.

✠ 1 OUR FATHER ✠ 10 HAIL JOSEPH ✠ 1 GLORY BE ✠

✠ Hail Joseph Son of David, God is with you! Blessed are you among men and blessed is our Lord Jesus Christ! Holy Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us and be with us now and as we sigh our last breath. Amen. ✠

 

♔ ST. JOSEPH: ROAD TO FATHERHOOD ♔

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When a man walks in integrity and justice, happy are his children after him! — Proverbs 20:7

As time passed after the espousals of Joseph and Mary, the holy couple lived a simple but happy life as they waited with joy for the birth of their promised son.  The conception of a child is great news to eager parents, and we can imagine how their friends and family rejoiced at the news. Joseph and Mary knew that he wasn’t the child’s biological father, but that wouldn’t keep him from being a true father. He would be excited, as most men would be, to tell the whole world that he was going to be a father! Mary would marvel at Joseph’s anticipation and acceptance in fulfilling God’s Will in naming and rearing the child as his own. She no doubt treasured these mysteries in her Immaculate Heart – as she treasured the other mysteries present in her life.

Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. – St. Luke 2:19

♔ THE CENSUS ♔

  

As the days went by, the Holy Child grew within His tabernacle, the womb of the Blessed Virgin and His time was drawing near. Soon he would be in Bethlehem, which was his father’s birthplace, where he too would be born into the world. A census was ordered by Caesar Augustus, which meant that everyone had to return to the lands of their forefathers to register.

And Joseph also went from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem . . . to register, together with Mary his wife, who was with child. — St. Luke 2:4-5

♔ THE IMPORTANCE OF BETHLEHEM ♔ 

 

It is important to note the significance of Bethlehem being the birthplace of both St. Joseph and Our Lord Jesus for three reasons: 

 

1.   Jesus was foreseen to be a descendent of the great King David and therefore Joseph, his earthly father, would have to have been of the House of David. 

 

2.  Joseph’s reporting to Bethlehem at that time, with the Virgin Mary close to giving birth to the Messiah, also added to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Micah 5:1-2 which announced that this place would bring Our Lord to the world: 

 

But you, Bethlehem  . . .  too small to be among  the clans of Judea, from you shall come forth . . . one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from . . . ancient times. — Micah 5:1-2 

 

3.  Also,  the word “Bethlehem” (“Beit Lehem” in Hebrew),  means “House of Bread” and this in itself is of tremendous significance since Jesus Christ called himself “The Living Bread”: 

 

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” — St. John 6:51 

 

Just as the Joseph of the Old Testament provided bread for his brothers when they sought him in hunger (Genesis 41:55-57, 42:25), how much more did St. Joseph, in Bethlehem, present to us the true living Bread, Jesus Christ. He held this life-giving bread in his folded arms and guarded it as a storehouse, arms—eager to give to mankind so that we would be nourished. Thus he is praised in the prayers of the Little Office: 

 

Hail glory of the patriarchs, steward of God’s holy Church, who didst preserve the Bread of life and the Wheat of the elect. 

 

 

♔ JOURNEY OF 5 DAYS ♔ 

 

Joseph had to report to Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, which is roughly 120 kilometers (80 miles) south of Nazareth, where he and Mary were living. To reach Bethlehem they would have to cross the rough terrain of Samaria into Judea. No doubt Joseph was hesitant to bring Mary along, since she was soon to give birth and needed to rest and keep comfortable, but Mary being the devoted wife that she was, desperately wanted to accompany her husband on this journey. During these times, travel was unsafe and was full of dangers such as the threat of wild animals and roadside thieves, and we think of how much harder it would be to make this trip with a nine months pregnant wife! In addition to the outward threats, fatigue and discomfort would also take their toll on the couple as they made their way. Joseph and Mary most likely joined a caravan on their way to Bethlehem, so as to be safer and more secure in the event of an accident or a raid by bandits. Perhaps they would even encounter friends and family members also going to Bethlehem for the registration. This caravan would have been a group of men, women, children, camels, and donkeys that would walk in the heat of day and sleep—with one eye open—at night, for to travel such distance, especially in the desert, could be perilous, however their spirits would be calmed with a reassuring nightly prayer before succumbing to their exhaustion: 

 

“O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness   into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound. As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for you alone, O Lord, bring security . . .” — Psalm 4:7-9

♔ CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION ♔ 

This humble journey to Bethlehem was the first Corpus Christi procession to take place, except the Body of Christ was enclosed in His mother’s womb, rather than being exposed for veneration by the faithful. Mary’s mantle was the canopy over the Hidden Jesus who is our Bread of Life, and Joseph’s sandal prints on the dusty earth were as palms laid out for the Lord to tread on. First instituted by Jesus Himself at the Last Supper, the Eucharist has been revered by the Roman Catholic Church and has been given a feast day of celebration, the Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for “Body of Christ”). It is observed on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday (or on the following Sunday). Traditionally on the feast day of Corpus Christi, a consecrated Host is carried in procession under the shade of a canopy for the veneration of the faithful, as flowers and palm branches are strewn upon the ground, making a pathway for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

♔ ONWARD ♔ 

 

This journey to Bethlehem surely must have taken its toll on Joseph’s feet, but with each step he took, he knew that he was moving closer to fulfilling what the angel had told him. The heat and terrain were at times barely tolerable but Joseph would no doubt comfort Our Lady as best he could, as they journeyed toward their destination. Joseph’s first action, whenever they rest by the way, or stop for the night, is to make ready a comfortable place for the Blessed Virgin to sit and rest. 

 

. . . Joseph spoke so comfortingly to the Blessed Virgin, he is so good, and so sorry that the journey is difficult. — Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

  

 

♔ NO VACANCY ♔

Arriving in Bethlehem and searching for shelter during their stay, the holy couple was rejected by the innkeepers and residents. We sense that Joseph begins to feel desperate at not finding a place to stay. And to add to this, the time for Jesus to be born is at hand. Joseph felt overwhelmed and frantically knocked on every door he could.

Finally, he went to one last house and begged for help. The  apologized and stated that he too was out of room, and the only open spot is a cave just outside of town, which the animals use. Joseph accepted the man’s suggestion, feeling relieved but also ashamed. Joseph felt as though he had failed, that he could not do better for his beloved, and his most pure heart was pierced with sorrow.

It was nine o’clock at night when the most faithful Joseph, full of bitter and heartrending sorrow, returned to his most prudent spouse and said: “My sweetest Lady, my heart is broken with sorrow at the thought of not being able to shelter thee as thou deserves . . .” — Venerable Maria de Agreda
  
Not only was Our Lord’s birth in Bethlehem predicted, but also the surroundings in which he would be born. The rejection of the townspeople, the donkey which carried the unborn Jesus into Bethlehem, and even the animals of the stable, is foretold to us in the books of Isaiah and Zachariah. In the Gospel of St. Matthew we can also find an appropriate phrase which sums up the rejection in Bethlehem:

An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people have not understood. — Isaiah 1:3 

See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek and riding on the foul of an ass. — Zachariah 9:9
  
I was a stranger and you did not take me in… — St. Matthew 25:43