Carmelite Spirituality
ST JOSEPH, A MODEL OF HOPE
Feast Day March 19th
Feast Day March 19th
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During your life, St. Joseph, you were a man of hope. Like the people of Israel, you shared the hope of one day seeing the redemption of humankind accomplished, and, so it was, that in your very home, united to you as a son to his father, lived the Messiah. This was a sign of the goodness and fidelity of the Lord. God showed himself faithful to his promises, and new horizons of hope were opened up for humankind.
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You hoped for salvation for Mary and yourself as you welcomed God himself into your life. In the unforeseeable events which came up, such as the hardships involved in the very birth of Jesus and the flight into Egypt, your only strength was the unshakeable hope you had in the goodness, power and fidelity of the Lord.
Without a doubt, this explains the peaceful serenity which radiated from your home. You knew that no matter what happened to you, God would have the last word.
SOURCE OF STRENGTH
Saint Joseph, may we learn to hope as you did. We often become discouraged. Consciously or not, we sometimes put hope in the background and say: “What’s the good of it all?
Teach us to hope against all obstacles; evil can never overcome the person who looks to God. Beyond all the weaknesses which exist there is always the Creator’s fidelity. We count on him alone. For us there is only one way to live and that is , to hope. May this hope transform us, giving us assurance and strength in our day-to-day life. Amen
Without a doubt, this explains the peaceful serenity which radiated from your home. You knew that no matter what happened to you, God would have the last word.
SOURCE OF STRENGTH
Saint Joseph, may we learn to hope as you did. We often become discouraged. Consciously or not, we sometimes put hope in the background and say: “What’s the good of it all?
Teach us to hope against all obstacles; evil can never overcome the person who looks to God. Beyond all the weaknesses which exist there is always the Creator’s fidelity. We count on him alone. For us there is only one way to live and that is , to hope. May this hope transform us, giving us assurance and strength in our day-to-day life. Amen
THE MEMORARE TO SAINT JOSEPH
Remember,
O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary,
that never has it been know that
anyone who sought your intercession
was left unaided.
Full of confidence in your power,
I hasten to you,
and beg your protection.
Listen,
O foster father of the Redeemer,
to my humble prayer,
and in your goodness
hear and answer me.
Amen.
Published by St. Joseph’s Oratory
Library and Archives Canada
Remember,
O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary,
that never has it been know that
anyone who sought your intercession
was left unaided.
Full of confidence in your power,
I hasten to you,
and beg your protection.
Listen,
O foster father of the Redeemer,
to my humble prayer,
and in your goodness
hear and answer me.
Amen.
Published by St. Joseph’s Oratory
Library and Archives Canada