Let us allow ourselves to be “infected” by St. Joseph’s silence! We need it greatly, in a world that is often too noisy, that does not favor meditation or listening to the voice of God.
– Pope Benedict XVI
This year the Solemnity of St. Joseph was transferred to Monday, March 20th.
Between an extra long day at work (all morning and then again all evening until late, getting ready to meet with the CPA the next morning) and needing to spend most of the afternoon drinking lots of water and resting to stop contractions that were coming every 5-6 minutes for 4-5 hours, I wasn’t going to be able to pull together a St. Joseph’s Altar this year…
However, everyone pitched in and it came together so beautifully!
We had such a nice family dinner to celebrate St. Joseph.
My dear Child:
If you love Jesus and Mary you will also love St. Joseph.
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| Making Symbolic Rolls for this year’s Saint Joseph’s Altar |
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| Wine & Fruit • Symbolic Fig Pastries • Traditional Breads in Symbolic Shapes Mudica (Breadcrumbs) with Pasta • Fish • Italian Treats including Cream Puffs and Tiramisu |
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| A special gift to celebrate one of his patron saints! |
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| St. Joseph from Naturally Catholic • IHS Candle from SaongJai |
He was so close to Jesus and Mary on earth. He protected them. He labored for them; and died in their arms.
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| The kids all worked together to set up this year’s St. Joseph’s Altar using our pictures and statues of St. Joseph, along with candles, blocks from Almond Rod Toys, and Holy Cards from their collections! |
How great is his power with God!
St. Teresa tells us that he will never fail us.
St. Teresa tells us that he will never fail us.
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| I had picked out a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (I loved that the bottle is embossed with the Keys of St. Peter… Perfect for this dear Patron of the Universal Church!) at Trader Joe’s along with a few bottles of “Joseph” themed beer and a couple bottles of Sparkling White Chardonnay Grape Juice for the kids. |
Go to St. Joseph always –
when you need a favor, a grace, a help of any kind.
when you need a favor, a grace, a help of any kind.
He is the Patron of a Happy Death.
Ask him often to be at your side when you come to die.
Ask him often to be at your side when you come to die.
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| St. Joseph from Catholic Folk Toys Incorporating the traditional St. Joseph’s Altar foods of Figs and Grapes, we also included an Autoimmune Paleo Pizza that I could enjoy for dinner. It was so delicious! Here’s the recipe: Prosciutto & Fig Bistro Pizza |
Here are some little prayers that you may say:
SAINT Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us.
HELP us Joseph, in our earthly strife,
ever to lead a pure and blameless life.
ever to lead a pure and blameless life.
Ask St. Joseph to bless you.
(The blessing of St. Joseph)
MAY the poverty of my sweet and suffering little Child be your riches; His sighs and His tears your consolation; the love of His Infant Heart, your earthly treasure and the sight of Him in heaven your joy and reward.
St. Joseph, patron of the dying, pray for us.
Excerpt from Jesus, Make Me Worthy – A reprint of the original can be found here
I'm so so thankful that you managed to stop the contractions and that everything is ok. Oh wow. What a precious sight that altar is. The love your kids put into that is a delight to read about. God bless each of you. Praying for extra graces as you manage all that is before you and with such loveliness.
2017-03-28 03:04:00
Praying for you and your little babe so that she may grow big and strong before she is born. St Joseph, pray for us
2017-03-28 12:50:51
Thank you! I know I overdid it the day before, between attending a baby shower, Mass, and dinner out while the older boys went to an Andrew Dinner with the Archbishop following the evening Mass, combined with not drinking nearly enough water. I had then gotten really sick during the night, which dehydrated me further. It scared me for sure and I kept thinking I was going to need to go to the hospital (I've been there many times for pre-term labor with past pregnancies) but was so grateful when they finally stopped. My appointment yesterday afternoon went great and our littlest ones were with me and loved hearing her heart beating! I appreciate the prayers!
2017-03-28 16:54:01
Thank you, Julie! I'm so thankful that we've finally made it to the third trimester. I hope you and your family are all well!
2017-03-28 16:54:55
Prayers that you and the baby will have no further problems. your St.Joseph Altar is beautiful. St.Joseph is a special day to me since my father's name was Joseph. He was always so proud that he was named after St.Joseph. every year he would receive a present in honor of his Saint. Marion
2017-03-28 20:47:04
Such a great saint to be named after! My own father is Patrick Joseph, my mom is Josephine, and my middle name is Jo! One of my sisters, who is 14 months younger than I am, was born on the feast of St. Joseph so she ended up having Jo for a middle name too… along with one other sister and a brother with Joseph for a middle name. He is definitely a special saint in our family too! Thank you so much for the prayers!
2017-03-28 21:34:22
Glad that you and the baby are better. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you fro sharing this post concerning St. Joseph. My father was so happy and proud that he was named Joseph, as my twin sister Marion mentioned in her comment. We always gave him a card and a gift. I look forward to your interesting and informative posts. Marilyn
2017-03-29 00:27:16
Thank you, Marilyn! I've been wondering if you and Marion were sisters! Are you identical or fraternal twins? I have younger sisters that are fraternal twins, JoAnn and Mary, named after our Grandmothers.
2017-03-29 00:53:09