Choose to reflect on the Life of Saint Joseph (left column) or on the Fullness of Sacramental Life (right column)
Announce
Life of Saint Joseph
4th Sorrow and 4th Joy
The Prophesied Pain of the Blessed Mother;
The Redemptive Impact of Jesus
Holy Scripture
1 Samuel 3: 10
Pray
Speak, Lord …
R. Your servant is listening.
Holy Scripture
Luke 2: 26, 28-30
[Simeon] took [the child Jesus) into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Holy Scripture
Luke 1: 38
Pray
I am the Lord’s servant …
R. Let it be done according to thy Word.
Reflect
Joseph cooperated with the sacred plan without advance knowledge of the specific pain and suffering that would ensue, and He did not abandon His role once that pain and suffering became known. Rather, the continued cooperation of Joseph with the sacred plan played the critical role that God had asked of Joseph to facilitate our Lord’s triumph over suffering and death.
Simon’s prophecy of great pain and suffering for the Blessed Mother weighed on Joseph. But the prophecy also foretold the redemptive effects of Jesus’ ministry in the world, and this was a joy that consoled him immeasurably. Sometimes we must endure the suffering of a loved one. Whether we are aware or unaware of the full implications of our own role in His plan, we can be assured that each of us is entrusted with a specific role, and at some point in our lives we will likely be asked either to suffer or to endure the suffering of a loved one.
The Lord never asks of us more than we can, with His grace, endure, and He always consoles us with a joy that exceeds all suffering.
Proceed either to the next decade or to the Litany of Saint Joseph (using the CLOSING prayers navigation link at the top of the page)
Announce
Fullness of Sacramental Life
Holy Orders and Vocation as Fatherly Leadership
Holy Scripture
1 Samuel 3: 10
Pray
Speak, Lord …
R. Your servant is listening.
Reflect
From a man entrusted with a vocation to Holy Orders, authentic charity requires cooperation with the sacred plan for spiritual union with the Mystical Body of Christ. As Jesus laid down His life for us, a priest lays down his life for the Church. A priest thus exemplifies the fatherly leadership to which each of us is called.
A fatherly leader wisely stewards the time and talents entrusted to him for the fruitful service of others. By preaching the Good News, a priest shares in the teaching ministry of Christ. By making available the sacramental life of the Church, priests share in the ongoing, direct, miraculous ministry of Christ. The seemingly ordinary — water, words, bread and wine — are transformed to reveal the extraordinary:
Baptism begins relationship, and when that relationship is wounded, Reconciliation provides healing. And always, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist nourishes and sustains us.
Holy Scripture
Luke 1: 38
Pray
I am the Lord’s servant …
R. Let it be done according to thy Word.
Proceed either to the next decade or to the Litany of Trust (using the CLOSING prayers navigation link at the top of the page)