A Preparation for Consecration By Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC (Mar 10, 2015) For the new Marian Press title Meet Your Spiritual Father: A Brief Introduction to St. Joseph by Dr. Mark Miravalle, Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs creator Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, composed a special nine-day preparation for entrustment to St. Joseph. In this excerpt, he explains why: I just sat down to write this preparation for consecration to St. Joseph and realized an amazing coincidence: Today is my last day as "Fr. Joseph, MIC." That title, "Fr. Joseph," is an honorary designation for the grueling office job I've held for the last three- and-a-half years, namely, the director of the Association of Marian Helpers. I say "grueling," because ... Well, let me put it this way: Shortly before my priestly ordination, my provincial superior called me into his office and said, "Brother Michael, how would you feel about being the next Fr. Joseph?" I replied, "What's that?" He continued, "Well, if I told you, you'd say no ... So just say yes." Now I know what he meant! The job was not easy — but thankfully, St. Joseph helped me in a big way, a way that's related to the preparation for consecration you're about to read. Let me tell you what happened. After two years on the job as "Fr. Joseph," I was feeling broken down and burned out. I spoke with my superior to see if another priest could fill the position or come help me in the office. Unfortunately, nobody was available, at least not for another year. So, with my health declining, spirit failing, and the work piling up, a hopeful thought suddenly occurred to me on the solemnity of St. Joseph: "Give it all to Joseph. He'll take care of it." I knew exactly what to do. I got on my computer and typed out a consecration or "entrustment" to St. Joseph. I brought it to Mass at the office where I worked, and following Mass, I solemnly and publicly put everything — myself, my staff, the office, and our work — into the strong, caring hands of St. Joseph. And then, all heaven broke loose. Let me just say that from our Marian Helpers Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, our evangelization works rapidly multiplied, and we were able to bring the message of God's mercy and devotion to Mary to millions more people. Looking back now on that day of entrustment, I firmly believe that St. Joseph was behind this new and dramatic growth. So, in gratitude to St. Joseph, on this my last day as "Fr. Joseph," I'm writing this brief, heartfelt preparation for consecrating oneself to St. Joseph. I say "brief," because St. Joseph was a man of few words — not one of them is recorded in Scripture! — and my guess is that he probably appreciates brevity. I say "heartfelt" because this preparation really comes from my heart, especially as I look back and clearly see how St. Joseph came through for me during my time of need as "Fr. Joseph." But before we get to these "nine days to Joseph," let me briefly explain how this preparation works. Basically, you pray the specified prayer to St. Joseph each day, from the heart, for nine days. Then, on the last day (the 10th day), the Day of Consecration, you'll pray the prayer of consecration from the heart. It's that simple. Of course, you'll probably want to time the days so the Day of Consecration falls on a feast of St. Joseph (March 19, May 1, ... ) or on a Marian feast (because of St. Joseph's closeness to Mary). I also recommend that on the day of your consecration, you write it out in your own handwriting, date it, and then renew it each year. And by the way, this is a perfect complement to Marian consecration, because of St. Joseph's closeness to and love for Mary. (If you haven't yet made your Marian consecration, consider using my book 33 Days to Morning Glory to do so.) Day One — St. Joseph, Powerful Intercessor Dear St. Joseph, After Mary, you're the most powerful intercessor before God. In a sense, Jesus remains obedient to you and will listen to you as you bring my intentions to Him. Because of this, I especially want to entrust myself to your fatherly care, just as Jesus Himself did. And while in the past, I may have brought to you one of my intentions here or there, this time I want to do something new. This time, I want to give you all. In other words, St. Joseph, I'm not here to offer you a regular "novena" for just one of my intentions. Rather, I want to forever entrust to you all of my needs and cares, trusting that you will bring them, with Mary, to your Son, Jesus. Dear St. Joseph, as the best of fathers, as the one God chose to be the virginal father of Jesus, I believe that you know what I need better than I do myself. So go ahead, St. Joseph. I give you permission to care for me as your child. In doing so, I trust that you will do everything in your power to make my life into something beautiful for God. I trust that you will watch over me and that your prayers will guide me, bless me, and protect me. I trust that you will now care for me with the same love and tenderness with which you cared for Jesus. I'll confirm this special relationship with you in nine days, when I make my prayer of consecration. Saint Joseph, Powerful Intercessor, please pray for me and all my intentions. http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=6225
Thanks for this Post Hope ! Im saying the Novena @ the link you provided.....powerful ! In Thanksgiving to you your intentions and mine are being remembered at Novena Mass @ Eden Hill and a Votive candle is lite as well
I am all in! How can I not, for my middle name is Joseph and I have not used His most precious intercession in my life as I should have. How powerful to unite the Holy family through Joseph and Mary to our blessed Jesus Christ! Amen
Wow, thank you Infant Jesus of Prague! This has proved a powerful consecration process for me. I was down in a terrible dark place, couldn't pray, really about to give up. After the first day and the prayer, everything lifted right away. Just about miraculous! I am also doing DeMontfort's consecration to Jesus through Mary and had started the week that we strive to obtain knowledge of Mary. Purpose: Obtain Knowledge of the Blessed Virgin Acts of love, pious affection for the Blessed Virgin, imitation of her virtues, especially her profound humility, her lively faith, her blind obedience, her continual mental prayer, her mortification in all things, her surpassing purity, her ardent charity, her heroic patience, her angelic sweetness, and her divine wisdom: "there being," as St. Louis De Montfort says, "the ten principal virtues of the Blessed Virgin." We must unite ourselves to Jesus through Mary - this is the characteristic of our devotion; therefore, Saint Louis De Montfort asks that we employ ourselves in acquiring a knowledge of the Blessed Virgin. Mary is our sovereign and our mediatrix, our Mother and our Mistress. Let us then endeavor to know the effects of this royalty, of this mediation, and of this maternity, as well as the grandeurs and prerogatives which are the foundation or consequences thereof. Our Mother is also a perfect mold wherein we are to be molded in order to make her intentions and dispositions ours. This we cannot achieve without studying the interior life of Mary; namely, her virtues, her sentiments, her actions, her participation in the mysteries of Christ and her union with Him. So I was delightfully surprised to read the second day prayer of Consecration to Joseph that day: Day Two — St. Joseph, Loving Spouse of Mary Dear St. Joseph, I'm thinking about the angel's words to you, "Do not be afraid to take Mary for your wife" (Mt 1:20). Saint Joseph, you weren't afraid. You trusted God. And now you truly are the husband of Mary. After Jesus, you are the dearest person to her heart! Well, St. Joseph, as my spiritual father, I now ask you to speak to Mary about me, about my life. If you kindly adopt me as your spiritual child, then I know all the more that Mary will take me to her heart as well. Both of you truly are my spiritual parents. And just as any good father wants to see his children love their mother, I know that you will help me to know and love my spiritual mother more. By your powerful prayers, I ask you to help me realize what a gift I have in Mary. Pray for me that I will better appreciate her motherly role in my life. Saint Joseph, I know that you love her. I know it makes you happy to see her children love her with all their hearts. Therefore, as I prepare to consecrate myself totally to your fatherly care, I give you permission — in fact, I'm pleading with you: Help me to appreciate my Mother Mary even more. Saint Joseph, Loving Spouse of Mary, please help me to love my spiritual mother even more. It's turning out to be the perfect compliment to my consecration to Jesus through Mary!
Amazing you had a bad 2nd day with the novena, I did also.Not only us but Johnette Benkovic from women of Grace radio show EWTN Radio. Her show yesterday 11AM eastern ,well the 1st 15minutes was about how she went thru such trials on the 1tth/ day2 of novena.Dont know if Johnette is saying they novena, but Our Lord must be given us a portion of his cross this lent! As she explained , http://www.womenofgrace.com/en-us/media/radio/details.aspx?id=964 THU. 3/12 WGL150312 Women of Grace LIVE Please don't tell anyone I listen to Woman of Grace radio... Check out the first 15min she gives Great insight! I refer to her as my spiritual director,,So topical for whats on my mind. She will speak to your Heart! Thanks again Hope,The theme for each day so far has been spot on for me/life
"It is my heartfelt wish that these reflections on the person of St. Joseph will renew in us the prayerful devotion which my Predecessor called for a century ago. Our prayers and the very person of Joseph have renewed significance for the Church in our day in light of the Third Christian Millennium. The Second Vatican Council made all of us sensitive once again to the "great things which God has done," and to that "economy of salvation" of which St. Joseph was a special minister. Commending ourselves, then, to the protection of him to whose custody God "entrusted his greatest and most precious treasures,"(50) let us at the same time learn from him how to be servants of the "economy of salvation." May St. Joseph become for all of us an exceptional teacher in the service of Christ's saving mission, a mission which is the responsibility of each and every member of the Church: husbands and wives, parents, those who live by the work of their hands or by any other kind of work, those called to the contemplative life and those called to the apostolate. This just man, who bore within himself the entire heritage of the Old Covenant, was also brought into the "beginning" of the New and Eternal Covenant in Jesus Christ. May he show us the paths of this saving Covenant as we stand at the threshold of the next millennium, in which there must be a continuation and further development of the "fullness of time" that belongs the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word. May St. Joseph obtain for the Church and for the world, as well as for each of us, the blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Pope John Paul II http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-p...hf_jp-ii_exh_15081989_redemptoris-custos.html
“‘In an ecstasy, a Saint has seen the body of St. Joseph preserved intact in a tomb, the site of which is yet unknown. The more the glorious spouse of the most Blessed Virgin is honored, the sooner will the finding of his body take place, which will be a day of great joy for the Church.’ (Words of Father Paul of Moll, 1824-1896, from Father Paul of Moll, by Edward van Speybrouck, p.238).”
If anyone can go to Mass at St Josephs Church on his feast day, you will receive extra Graces. Same for any Saints feast day : )
Today is Day 9..... lighting 3 candles for All making consecration tomarrow on St Josephs Feast Day... I ask St Joseph that these 3 candles draw us all closer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.May we live under Our Ladys mantle for eternity. So raise up your hearts, candles will be lit in St Josephs Church before a Beautiful marble side alter statue . Peace and Blessings to ALL! DONT FORGET NOW TO FINISHH!!!!!! : ) Nine Days to Joseph: Consecration Day By Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC (Mar 19, 2015) For the new Marian Press title Meet Your Spiritual Father: A Brief Introduction to St. Joseph by Dr. Mark Miravalle, Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs creator Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, composed a special nine-day preparation for entrustment to St. Joseph. Here's the consecration: Day of Consecration to St. JosephDear St. Joseph, On this day, before God and your Immaculate Spouse, Mary, I ___________________ choose you as my spiritual father forever. I formally entrust myself to your fatherly care. I love you, and I trust in your prayers for my life. As your spiritual child, I give you full permission (and in fact, I'm begging you) to please act in my life, especially by... Praying for me constantly in a special way, Bringing me even deeper into the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Providing for me and all my loved ones, Guarding and protecting me from bodily and spiritual evil, Guiding me to always do God's most perfect will, Helping me to suffer with love and without complaint, Giving me purity of body and of soul, Forming me into a person of peace and joy, Preparing me for a beautiful and happy death. From this day forward, St. Joseph, you are my spiritual father, and I am your child. I trust you and love you, and I look forward to meeting you someday in heaven. I ask all of this in Jesus' name and for the glory of God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thank you so much Infant Jesus of Prague! All finished now and I belong to good father Joseph now. And I never knew that about going to a saint's church on their feast day, you are a wealth of information, and kindness. "The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!" (Numbers 6:24-26) View attachment 2747
Happy Feast Day ! As a father, I pray for the intercession of St. Joseph to help me be a better dad. I also pray that as the Patron of the Universal Church, St Joseph intercede to protect the Church, the Holy Father and especially those Christians around the world who are being persecuted and martyred.
QUATES from St Teresa of AVILA on St Joseph "I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good." "I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my father and lord delivered me both from this trouble and also from other and greater troubles concerning my honor and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succors us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks. This has also been the experience of other persons whom I have advised to commend themselves to him; and even to-day there are many who have great devotion to him through having newly experienced this truth."
Thanks so much for starting this post! Im sure St Joseph will Bless You for leading souls to his care. Fr at Mass made a reflection on his 27years as a priest pointing to Our Lady how so many go to the Queen for prayer and rightfully so! Then pointing to St Joseph,none go to him,pray to Joseph he exclaimed Driving home and reflecting. another Church came to my mind. A statue of St Joseph with a brass plate with the words St Joseph, dispencer of Gods Providence. Maybe we can revive this post for St Joseph the worker May 1st so novena would start on April 22 on a wednsday, which is dedicated to St Joseph every week....lol March also is dedicated to St Joseph God Bless you Hope...IM DOIN A LIL JIG TODAY
Thanks for the beautiful prayer Hope : ) I couldn't paste this slide show here. Its a miraculous staircase in Santa Fe New Mexico that the nuns said a novena to saint Joseph and on the 9th day a man looking for work knocked on the door...maybe you heard this story? the pictures speak for themselves, scientists/engineers say this staircase should not be standing....signs and wonders : ) http://www.saintmichaelusa.org/ Its on right side of page under power point Inspiration
I have just found this wonderful thread. I will start my entrustment to St Joseph to coincide and join the 33 day preparation for consecrtaion to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed virgin Mary. Thank you, all especially Hope and Infant Jesus of Prague
Today 4/22 starts novena of Entrustment to ST JOSEPH.... its a fast/quick prayer DAILY PRAYER S http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=6225 So, in gratitude to St. Joseph, on this my last day as "Fr. Joseph," I'm writing this brief, heartfelt preparation for consecrating oneself to St. Joseph. I say "brief," because St. Joseph was a man of few words — not one of them is recorded in Scripture! — and my guess is that he probably appreciates brevity. I say "heartfelt" because this preparation really comes from my heart, especially as I look back and clearly see how St. Joseph came through for me during my time of need as "Fr. Joseph." But before we get to these "nine days to Joseph," let me briefly explain how this preparation works. Basically, you pray the specified prayer to St. Joseph each day, from the heart, for nine days. Then, on the last day (the 10th day), the Day of Consecration, you'll pray the prayer of consecration from the heart. It's that simple. Of course, you'll probably want to time the days so the Day of Consecration falls on a feast of St. Joseph (March 19, May 1, ... ) or on a Marian feast (because of St. Joseph's closeness to Mary). I also recommend that on the day of your consecration, you write it out in your own handwriting, date it, and then renew it each year. And by the way, this is a perfect complement to Marian consecration, because of St. Joseph's closeness to and love for Mary. (If you haven't yet made your Marian consecration, consider using my book 33 Days to Morning Glory to do so.) Day One — St. Joseph, Powerful Intercessor Dear St. Joseph, After Mary, you're the most powerful intercessor before God. In a sense, Jesus remains obedient to you and will listen to you as you bring my intentions to Him. Because of this, I especially want to entrust myself to your fatherly care, just as Jesus Himself did. And while in the past, I may have brought to you one of my intentions here or there, this time I want to do something new. This time, I want to give you all. In other words, St. Joseph, I'm not here to offer you a regular "novena" for just one of my intentions. Rather, I want to forever entrust to you all of my needs and cares, trusting that you will bring them, with Mary, to your Son, Jesus. Dear St. Joseph, as the best of fathers, as the one God chose to be the virginal father of Jesus, I believe that you know what I need better than I do myself. So go ahead, St. Joseph. I give you permission to care for me as your child. In doing so, I trust that you will do everything in your power to make my life into something beautiful for God. I trust that you will watch over me and that your prayers will guide me, bless me, and protect me. I trust that you will now care for me with the same love and tenderness with which you cared for Jesus. I'll confirm this special relationship with you in nine days, when I make my prayer of consecration. Saint Joseph, Powerful Intercessor, please pray for me and all my intentions. Nine Days to St. Joseph Day One Day Two Day Three
