The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, will be remembered on Friday, March 18. Mass will be celebrated at 8:00am and 12:10pm. After mass, join us in St. Mary's Hall where we will have our 2nd Annual St. Joseph's Altar from 8:30am until 3:00pm. What makes the St. Joseph Altar, so special is that no cost is to be incurred by the parish. Everything from the breads, flowers, food and fava beans are donated in thanksgiving by our wonderful parishioners and school families. If you would like to be a part of this year's St. Joseph's Altar, please contact Kimberly McFadden or sign up here to make a donation for the altar.
This tradition began in Sicily during the middle ages. The people of Sicily suffered a great drought and famine. The people prayed to St. Joseph and when the rains came, they celebrated with great feasts. These feasts were held by the rich and they invited everyone - especially the poor and infirmed - to come. The tradition continues today. To learn more about the tradition of the St. Joseph's Altar (Table), visit this website.
Listen: St. Joseph: Patron of the Universal Church - Talk given by Dr. Mark Miravalle
Watch with children: Lukas Storyteller: Saint Joseph - For the kids
Watch: St. Joseph - 4 Part Series
Read: What the Church says about St. Joseph - Papal encyclicals, exhortations
Memorare to Saint Joseph
Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who imployred your help and sought your intercession was left unassisted.
Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
Ad Te, Beate Joseph
The Holy Father asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary especially during October, the month of the Holy Rosary. This prayer is enriched with a partial indulgence (Source: USCCB)
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
Written by Pope Leo XIII, Quamquam Pluries