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WHAT ST JOSEPHS DAY MEANS TO ME
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Being of Italian decent, I have always been curious to know as much as is possible about the cultural traditions of my heritage. I have enjoyed researching and learning more about the special Patron Saint of Italy. Of course I am refering to "Saint Joseph, father of Jesus and husband of Mary".
Although "Saint Josephs Day" officially celebrated on the 19th of March, is usually observed in America along with other saints on November 1st, "All Saints Day", in Italy he is given much greater tribute and honor. His life was a beautiful example of devotion and patience and a strong faith in Spiritual guidance. I lovingly and respectfully dedicate this St Joseph's Day presentation to my beloved Mother who has been the single greatest inspiration in my life.
Each time I write about the Saint's I learn so much more about their simple message and their humble lives of service. These special souls have a great faith and love for the guiding Spirit which lives today within the hearts of all humanity. As usual I provide resource links for those interested in learning more about these Saints and their lives in the "Saints Links Panel" which is posted toward the bottom of this website's offering. May we all come to know and appreciate the thoughts, words and deeds of souls who dedicate themselves to the principles that help make this world a better and brighter place to live, providing all of us with meaningful reasons to hope, care and Love one another even better than ever before...
I hope this message will be a blessing to you...
May the Blessings Be, Michael AngelOh

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WHO WAS SAINT JOSEPH
Transliterated by: "Michael AngelOh"
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St. Joseph, the patron saint of Italy, according to the Holy Bible was born in Bethlehem, the city of David. St. Joseph was a carpenter by trade and it was in Nazareth the birthplace of Jesus Christ, that Joseph was betrothed to Mary the Mother of God.
Before his marriage to Mary the faith of Joseph was tried and tested when he discovered the Mary was with child. Of course he was greatly troubled at this until an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep saying: "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost..." Joseph, rising from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife". (Matthew 1:19, 20, 24)
A few months later, the time came for Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem, to be enrolled, according to the decree issued by Caesar Augustus. These were trying times for the newly married couple as on their journey to Bethlehem they sought lodging and discovered that, "There was no room for them in the Inn". (Luke 2:1-7) They were however offered the only place available at the time, a barn where pasture animals were kept and shortly thereafter the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ, and the coming of the Shepherds and Three Wise Men would all be part of the historical Christmas Story celebrated to this very day.
St. Joseph was "a just man", and was blessed at having been chosen by God to be the foster-father of Jesus Christ and the spouse of the Virgin Mother Mary. For all of these reasons, he has been given very special honor and veneration among all Saints by the Church.
Please consider sharing this message with others...
May the Blessings Be, Michael AngelOh

CELEBRATING SAINTS HISTORIC ORIGINS
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Christians have been honoring their saints and martyrs since at least the second century AD. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, written near the middle of the second century, attests to this historical fact. Initially the calendars of saints and martyrs varied from location to location, and many times local churches honored their own local saints, however gradually feast days became more accepted and universal. The first reference to a general feasts
"Celebrating All Saints" occurs in St Ephrem the Syrian AD 373 and St. John Chrysostom AD 407 and are assigned as a day to the feast, and in the Eastern Churches the feast is celebrated to this day. In the West, this celebration feast date was eventually moved to May with the current day observance taking place on November 1st originating from the time of Pope Gregory III. AD 741
In the celebration of the Saints we are petitoned to acknowledge the presence of the Saints and ask them to pray for us in the memory of our dearly departed Souls leading to their continued care in the Communion of Saints. Every evening prayers are said for the beloved souls while blessed candles burn out of respect and honor for the holy souls.

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CELEBRATING SAINT JOSEPHS DAY
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Saint Joseph, who is beloved by generations of Americans and Italians, as well as in many other Countries and cultures around the world is celebrated on March 19th, officialy "Saint Josephs Day". Saint Joseph is patron saint of all workers as well as the guardian of the spiritual home of Christians, the Church, and domestic structures.
The original tradition of a St. Josephs Day began in Italy when there was a severe drought in Sicily in the middle ages. In desperation, people asked
St. Joseph to intervene. They promised if rain came that they would prepare a big feast and celebration in his honor. This early tradition records that these prayers were answered with rainy weather. In gratitude, huge banquet tables were set-up and the local communities were invited to come and eat as much as they wanted. Today, special foods, linens, flowers, and statuary adornments honor the Altar of St. Joseph which is built with three steps representing the Holy Trinity.
Generosity marks this day, in accordance to the generous nature of Joseph himself. Today in many countries St. Josephs Day is celebrated with the sharing of food and survival materials with the poor and needy. In many places throughout the world and especially in Italy, St. Josephs Day is honored as everyone of any means contributes to a table spread in the public square as an offering for favors received from prayers to this kindly Saint. The bread made for this day is often shaped like a scepter or a beard. Villagers representing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are guests of honor at the feast, and other guests include orphans, widows and beggars. After Mass, all participants go in a procession to this festive table as the priest blesses the feast.
At the end of the meal every guest is given something to take home. For this "Feast of St. Joseph", a unique minestrone soup is made. People add any vegetarian ingredients they wish to contribute. Although many kinds of lentils, dried beans and grains are eaten at the Feast, a grated Parmesan cheese is added to the minestrone soup which is served with dry toasted bread crumbs.

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NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH
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Novena Prayer to Saint Joseph
( prayer to be said at the end of each day's devotion )
Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
( Mention your request )
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen...
MEMORARE
Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen...

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ST JOSEPH STATUE
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There are more than 5000 Patron Saints listed in the Dictionary of Saints, chosen as protectors over different areas of life. From all of these, St Joseph was chosen as the Patron Saint of the Home and Family. Recent newscasts have reported that if you bury a Statue of Saint Joseph on your Property, and ask St Joseph to intercede with his foster Son Jesus Christ on your behalf, it will facilitate the sale of your Home or property.
The tradition can be traced back hundreds of years to "Theresa of Avila", who prayed to St Joseph for more land for Christian Converts and encouraged Nuns to bury St Joseph Medals in the ground as a symbol of their devotion. Based on the scriptural statement "Ask and You shall Receive", thousands of folks have apparently claimed that this ritual does work. I think my thoughts on the subject are summed up in the statement "It couldn't hurt..." I've posted the famed photo of the "St Joseph Statue" as well as some other famed statues of Saint Joseph posted below. |


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PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH
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O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen...
Instructions: Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail. This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1500's it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.
Make this prayer known everywhere...
Imprimatur Most Rev. George W. Ahr ~Bishop of Trenton

PRAYERS TO THE SAINTS
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These Prayers to the Saints are Christian, Catholic and Orthodox in origin. I invite each of you to join me in the following Prayers and Contemplations best offered up before daily activity or at the end of your day before bedtime.
Prayer to be Delivered from all Evil
adapted from the Liturgy of Saint James

Sanctify, O Lord,
our souls, minds, and bodies.
Touch our minds
and search out our consciences.
Cast out from us every evil thought,
Every impure idea,
every base desire and memory,
Every unseemly word,
all envy, pride and hypocrisy,
Every lie, every deceit,
every worldly temptation,
All greed, all vainglory,
all wickedness, all wrath,
All anger, all malice,
all blasphemy, and all sloth,
Every movement of flesh and spirit
That is alien to the will of your holiness.
And enable us to turn to You,
Master, Lord who loves humankind,
To call upon you
with boldness and without condemnation,
With a pure heart, a contrite soul,
a face unashamed,
and with lips that are sanctified

Prayer to God for our Protection
adapted from the Book of Occasional Services, Episcopal Church
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O merciful and mighty God,
Your Son Jesus Christ
was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary
to bring us salvation
and to establish Your kingdom on earth.
Grant that Michael and all Your angels
may defend Your people
against Satan and every evil foe,
and that at last
we may come to that heavenly country
where Your saints forever sing Your praise.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

All Saints Eve Prayer
adapted from the Liturgy of the Hours
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Father,
All-Powerful and Ever-Living God,
Today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer to receive Saintly Grace
adapted from the Gothic Missal
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Almighty and Everlasting God,
who dost enkindle the flame of Thy love
in the hearts of the saints,
grant unto us the same faith and power of love;
that, as we rejoice in their triumphs
we may profit by their examples,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Catholic Prayer in Praise of the Saints
Unknown author, 10th century
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How shining and splendid are your gifts, O Lord
which you give us for our eternal well-being
Your glory shines radiantly in your saints, O God
In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.
The white-robed company follow you,
bright with their abundant faith;
They scorned the wicked words
of those with this world's power.
For you they sustained
fierce beatings, chains, and torments,
they were drained by cruel punishments.
They bore their holy witness to you
who were grounded deep within their hearts;
they were sustained by patience and constancy.
Endowed with your everlasting grace,
may we rejoice forever
with the martyrs in our bright fatherland.
O Christ, in your goodness,
grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life. |