15 Mar
Sat
St Joseph, Husband of BVM
2 Sam. 7:4-5,12-14,16
Ps. 88:2-3,4-5,17,28
Rom. 4:13,16-18,22
Mt. 1:16,18-21,24 or Lk. 2:41-51
(Psalter proper)
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For over a thousand years, the Feast of St Joseph has been celebrated on March 19. This feast usually falls in Lent just six days before the Feast of the Annunciation and we may seek to draw some thoughts for prayer from that fact. During Lent, the Church prepares for Easter. Though obvious, it bears repeating that Easter occurs because the Annunciation occurred and Mary, by the grace and mercy of God, accepted the invitation to be the Mother of the Messiah. Though he did not have the consolation of being the earthly biological father of Jesus, Joseph was very much a part of the Annunciation story and therefore, through God's choice, had a significant part to play in the work of our redemption.

Before the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, Pope John XXIII inserted St Joseph's name into the Roman Canon [our First Eucharistic Prayer] after Mary's. A very important insight inspired this decision, for Joseph's role tends to be forgotten since, it seems that Joseph had died before Jesus left home and was not present during Jesus' public life. Joseph's role is one that many of us can imitate as we protect Mary's honour and care about Jesus and His work.



St Joseph, by your intercession obtain for us the grace to be faithful to Jesus and to care for the Church which he founded.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation between persons and people may be understood and that the Church through her testimony, may spread Christ's love, the source of new humanity.
Elaboration

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