The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
Friday, March 19
Mass times: 8:30 AM & 6:30 PM
O God, Guide of those who listen and Helper of those who hear Your voice, speak to me as You did to St. Joseph and help me accomplish the tasks that in Your Divine Will You set before me.
Blessed St. Joseph, you protected and cherished the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Lord Jesus. We implore you this day, defend the Church and be with us in our trials. Intercede with the Divine Heart of your Son for all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, in particular for this special grace:
(Mention Your request)
May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from sin and resist the power of evil in this life, so that we may grow in holiness and, someday, through your prayers, receive the grace of a happy death. Amen.
O God, You love Your people and bless the ordinary lives we quietly live. As You blessed St. Joseph, bless what I do, however hidden and simple it may be, and let all I do be done with love.
O God, ever faithful, You remember us always and in time reveal Your blessings. Help me trust in You, as St. Joseph faithfully trusted, and never let me lose faith in the wonderful gifts You promise me.
God of families, bless the family that is mine. Keep us safe from harm, and never let evil come between us. Let peace remain in our hearts.
O God, who calls the little children to Your side, be kind to our children today. Give them eyes of faith for seeing You, a loving heart for welcoming life, and a place always at Your side.
God of our heavenly home, bless our home on earth. May Mary and Joseph be with our families, shape our words and actions, and bring blessings to our children.
God, our Father, give Your fatherly Spirit to those who are fathers now. Like Joseph, give them hearts of devoted love for their wives and children, as well as strength, forgiveness, and patience.
Give shelter, O God, to those who need it, and bring together divided families. Give us enough to eat, and decent work to earn our bread.
Bless all families, O Lord, especially those in need. Remembering the humble poverty of Your Son, we pray for the poor, for those who lack a good home, for those in exile. Grant them a protector like Joseph, O God.
Leading up to St. Joseph's Feast Day we, as a parish, will pray the St. Joseph Novena beginning on March 10. Sign up to receive a daily email reminder with that day's prayers.
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The St. Joseph's Altar is a Sicilian tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The origin of these altars comes from a time of great famine for the people of Sicily. They had been experiencing a terrible drought. In response they prayed that St. Joseph would intercede on their behalf. When their prayers were answered they wanted to honor St. Joseph. They did so by bringing to the altar of St. Joseph the first fruits of their crops and other food and drink. Just as the Israelites had done in honor of God’s blessings, the people gave their best to God first in gratitude for His bountiful gifts.
After that, they continued to honor him and create beautiful altars filled with a variety of foods. For the duration of the novena leading up to the feast day, the altars would be decorated. Then, either on the vigil of the feast or the feast day itself, there would be a communal celebration at which they would eat food from the. When everyone had all they could eat, the rest of the food was given to the poor!