St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="094285a1erlcgo.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>St. Joseph     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Catholic GirlA Web Site"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>   </B></FONT><A HREF="catholic_prayers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prayers"><U>Prayers</U></A> <A HREF="calendar.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar </U></A>  <A HREF="favorite_catholic_links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A>     <A HREF="rcia.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RCIA"><U>RCIA </U></A>    <A HREF="my_story.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Story"><U>  My Story</U></A>   <A HREF="pope_john_paul_ii.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pope John Paul II"><U>Pope John Paul II</U></A>  <A HREF="quotations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Quotations"><U> Quotes</U></A>      <A HREF="lourdes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lourdes"><U>Lourdes</U></A>   <A HREF="st__bernadette.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="St. Bernadette"><U>St. Bernadette </U></A>  <A HREF="st__therese_of_lisieux.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="St. Therese of Lisieux"><U>St. Therese</U></A>    <A HREF="blessed_virgin_mary.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blessed Virgin Mary"><U>Mary</U></A>  <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Guardian Angels"><U>Angels</U></A>  <A HREF="rosary.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rosary"><U>Rosary</U></A>  <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Webrings"><U>Webrings</U></A>   <A HREF="fun.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun"><U>Fun</U></A>   <A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="St. Gemma"><U>St. Gemma</U></A><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="St. Gemma"><U>  </U></A><A HREF="st__pio_of_pietrelcina.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina"><U>St. Pio</U></A>    <A HREF="sacred_heart_of_jesus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sacred Heart of Jesus"><U>Sacred Heart</U></A>    <A HREF="profession_of_faith__catholicism_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Catholic 101"><U>Catholic 101</U></A>  <A HREF="mother_teresa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bl. 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JOSEPH THE WORKER</div> <div> Prayer</div> <div> <IMG SRC="890b7380.gif" border=0 width="183" height="56" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Glorious St. Joseph, example for all who are engaged in toil, pray with me please to obtain the grace that I may work in the spirit of penance and so make atonement for my sins...</div> <div> that I may work conscientiously, keeping devotion to duty before my personal feelings...</div> <bR> <div> that I may work with thankfulness and joy, holding it an honor to use and develop by my labor the gifts I have received from almighty God. </div> <bR> <div> Pray with me that I may obtain help to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience - and never shirk duty because of weariness or because of difficulties encountered...</div> <bR> <div> and that, before all else, I may work with a right intention and with detachment from self, keeping always in mind the hour of my death and the account I must give then for misused time, for neglected talents, for good not done, and for any foolish pride in my success - a fault so fatal to the work of God.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> All for Jesus, all through Mary, all in imitation of you, Joseph most faithful! </div> <bR> <div> This shall be my motto in life and death.</div> <bR> <div>  Amen.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>St. Joseph, Husband of Mary</I></div> <div> <B>(Click Refresh if you have been here before to get the newest updates...   :)</B></div> <div> <B> <HEAD> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.1">     </script> </HEAD>  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Feast day: March 19</B></div> <bR> <div> Everything we know about the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus comes from Scripture and that has seemed too little for those who made up legends about him.</div> <div>  </div> <div> We know he was a carpenter, a working man, for the skeptical Nazarenes ask about Jesus, "Is this not the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55). He wasn't rich for when he took Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised and Mary to be purified he offered the sacrifice of two turtledoves or a pair of pigeons, allowed only for those who could not afford a lamb (Luke 2:24). </div> <bR> <div> Despite his humble work and means, Joseph came from a royal lineage. Luke and Matthew disagree some about the details of Joseph's genealogy but they both mark his descent from David, the greatest king of Israel (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38). Indeed the angel who first tells Joseph about Jesus greets him as "son of David," a royal title used also for Jesus. </div> <bR> <div> We know Joseph was a compassionate, caring man. When he discovered Mary was pregnant after they had been betrothed, he knew the child was not his but was as yet unaware that she was carrying the Son of God. He planned to divorce Mary according to the law but he was concerned for her suffering and safety. He knew that women accused to adultery could be stoned to death, so he decided to divorce her quietly and not expose her to shame or cruelty (Matthew 1:19-25). </div> <bR> <div> We know Joseph was man of faith, obedient to whatever God asked of him without knowing the outcome. When the angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him the truth about the child Mary was carrying, Joseph immediately and without question or concern for gossip, took Mary as his wife. When the angel came again to tell him that his family was in danger, he immediately left everything he owned, all his family and friends, and fled to a strange country with his young wife and the baby. He waited in Egypt without question until the angel told him it was safe to go back (Matthew 2:13-23). </div> <bR> <div> We know Joseph loved Jesus. His one concern was for the safety of this child entrusted to him. Not only did he leave his home to protect Jesus, but upon his return settled in the obscure town of Nazareth out of fear for his life. When Jesus stayed in the Temple we are told Joseph (along with Mary) searched with great anxiety for three days for him (Luke 2:48). We also know that Joseph treated Jesus as his own son for over and over the people of Nazareth say of Jesus, "Is this not the son of Joseph?" (Luke 4:22) </div> <bR> <div> We know Joseph respected God. He followed God's commands in handling the situation with Mary and going to Jerusalem to have Jesus circumcised and Mary purified after Jesus' birth. We are told that he took his family to Jerusalem every year for Passover, something that could not have been easy for a working man. </div> <bR> <div> Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus' public life, at his death, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph probably had died before Jesus entered public ministry. </div> <div> Joseph is the patron of the dying because, assuming he died before Jesus' public life, he died with Jesus and Mary close to him, the way we all would like to leave this earth. </div> <div> Joseph is also patron of the universal Church, fathers, carpenters, and social justice. </div> <bR> <div> We celebrate two feast days for Joseph: March 19 for Joseph the Husband of Mary and May 1 for Joseph the Worker. </div> <div> There is much we wish we could know about Joseph -- where and when he was born, how he spent his days, when and how he died. But Scripture has left us with the most important knowledge: Who he was -- "a righteous man" (Matthew 1:18). </div> <bR> <div> <B>In His Footsteps:</B></div> <div> Joseph was foster father to Jesus. There are many children separated from families and parents who need foster parents. Please consider contacting your local Catholic Charities or Division of Family Services about becoming a foster parent. </div> <bR> <div> ©1996-2000 Terry Matz. All Rights Reserved.</div> <div> Information Provided by <A HREF="http://www.catholic.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.catholic.org/"><U>Catholic Online</U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4b328060.gif" border=0 width="552" height="6" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Links</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/novena04.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/nov"><U>Novena to St. Joseph</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/litany16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/lit"><U>Litany to St. Joseph</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4b328060.gif" border=0 width="552" height="6" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>Quotes</B></div> <div> He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trust worthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph's wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying 'Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.' </div> <div> <I>-From a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena </I></div> <bR> <div> There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand. </div> <div> This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord, and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph's wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying "Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." </div> <div> Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your foster child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen. </div> <div> <I>-From a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena </I></div> <bR> <div> What emanates from the figure of Saint Joseph is faith...Joseph of Nazareth is a "just man" because he totally "lives by faith." He is holy because his faith is truly heroic. </div> <div> Sacred Scripture says little of him. It does not record even one word spoken by Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth. And yet, even without words, he shows the depth of his faith, his greatness. </div> <div> Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God. </div> <div> We see how the word of the Living God penetrates deeply into the soul of that man, that just man. And we, do we know how to listen to the word of God? Do we know how to absorb it into the depths of our human personalities? Do we open our conscience in the presence of this word? </div> <div> <I>-Pope John Paul II from Daily Meditations </I></div> <bR> <div> Information provided by <A HREF="http://www.catholic-forum.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.catholic-forum.com"><U>Catholic Community Forum</U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4b328060.gif" border=0 width="552" height="6" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Prayer In Any Difficulty</div> <bR> <div> With confidence I present myself before you, Joseph, faithful father of Jesus!  I ask your intercession and support in my present need.  I firmly believe that you are powerful before the throne of God who chose you to be the foster father of his Son, Jesus Christ.  </div> <bR> <div> O Blessed Saint--who saved that Treasure of Heaven, with his Mother, from the rage of his enemies, who with tireless energy supplied his earthly needs and with paternal care accompanied and protected him in his childhood--take me also, for the love of Jesus, as your child.  Assist me in my present difficulty with your prayers before God.  The infinite goodness of our Savior, who loved and honored you as his father on earth, cannot refuse you any request now in Heaven.</div> <bR> <div> Therefore, I ask you, by the love you had for Jesus and Mary on earth, to console me in my distress and present my petition (put your prayer request here) through Jesus and Mary, before the throne of God!  One word from you will move my troubled heart.  Then most joyfully shall I praise and thank both God and you.</div> <bR> <div> Amen</div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4b328060.gif" border=0 width="552" height="6" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Must See...read about <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC9922" FACE="Benguiat Frisky" ><A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/cominghome/stjoseph.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/cominghome/"><U>St. Joseph</U></A></FONT> from the book The Mystical  City of God.  (Thanks, Bill, for writing the intro :)</div> <bR> <div> URL <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#CC9900" FACE="Benguiat Frisky" ><A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/cominghome/stjoseph.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/cominghome/"><U>http://www.angelfire.com/nv2/cominghome/stjoseph.html</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> The "Mystical City of God" by Venerable Mother Mary of Jesus of Agreda (1602-1665) is a monumental four volume history of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as revealed by Our Lady to a 17th-century Spanish nun. The work has been acclaimed by Popes, cardinals and theologians and has inspired readers for over 300 years. Included in this work is the following account of the holy death of St. Joseph, given to this holy nun by Our Lady herself. The account is very inspiring and shows why the Church has acclaimed St. Joseph as the patron of a happy death. The English translation of this work has the imprimatur of the former Archbishop of Santa Fe.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> WORDS OF THE QUEEN </div> <bR> <div> My daughter, although thou hast described my spouse, Saint Joseph, as the most noble among the princes and saints of the heavenly Jerusalem: yet neither canst thou properly manifest his eminent sanctity, nor can any of the mortals know it fully before they arrive at the vision of the Divinity. Then all of them will be filled with wonder and praise as the Lord will make them capable of understanding this sacrament. On the last day, when all men shall be judged, the damned will bitterly bewail their sins, which prevented them from appreciating this powerful means of their salvation, and availing themselves, as they easily could have, of this intercessor to gain the friendship of the just Judge. The whole human race has much undervalued the privileges and prerogatives conceded to my blessed spouse and they know not what his intercession with God is able to do. I assure thee, my dearest, that he is one of the greatly favored personages in the divine presence and has immense power to stay the arms of divine vengeance.</div> <bR> <div>  I desire that thou be very thankful to the divine condescension for vouchsafing thee so much light and knowledge regarding this mystery, and also for the favor which I am doing thee therein. From now on, during the rest of thy mortal life, see that thou advance in devotion and in hearty love toward my spouse, and that thou bless the Lord for thus having favored him with such high privileges and for having rejoiced me so much in the knowledge of all his excellencies. In all thy necessities thou must avail thyself of his intercession. Thou shouldst induce many to venerate him and see that thy own religious distinguish themselves in their devotion to him. That which my spouse asks of the Lord in heaven is granted upon the earth and on his intercession depend many and extraordinary favors for men, if they do not make themselves unworthy of receiving them. All these privileges were to be a reward for the amiable perfection of this wonderful saint and for his great virtues; for divine clemency is favorably drawn forth by them and looks upon Saint Joseph with generous liberality, ready to shower down its marvelous mercies upon all those who avail themselves of his intercession. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> (Introduction written by Bill Sockey)</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="4b328060.gif" border=0 width="552" height="6" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://saints.catholic.org/index.shtml" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://saints.catholic.org/index.shtml"><U><IMG SRC="46894390.gif" border=0 width="148" height="57" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> I <B><U>love</U></B> to receive feedback from my visitors.  If you have time, please sign my guestbook; or if you'd rather, leave a private message, send an email by clicking below.  Thanks for taking the time :)</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:catholicgirl@cox.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:catholicgirl@cox.net"><U><IMG SRC="46540800.gif" border=0 width="64" height="128" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://users3.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g33-00466-2d" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://users3.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i="><U><IMG SRC="59e4f5a0.gif" border=0 width="79" height="90" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> // script from BoogieJack.com var m = "Page Last Updated " + document.lastModified; var p = m.length-8; document.writeln("<center>"); document.write(m.substring(p, 0)); document.writeln("</center>"); </SCRIPT>  </I></div> </td> </tr></table></body>