Marianist Encounters' third goal is to listen and educate in faith. On March 19, let us pray and reflect on the feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Society of Mary.
Introduction Adapted from the Characteristics of Marianist Administration
On March 19, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph holds a special place of privilege for Marianists. As the husband of Mary, he closely participated with her in God’s plan of salvation to bring Jesus to the world. Father Chaminade regarded St. Joseph as the second patron of the Society of Mary. St. Joseph’s paternal care of the Holy Family inspired Father Chaminade’s deep devotion to St. Joseph. Through his care and devotion to Mary and Jesus, St. Joseph leads the way we must attend to and sustain the mission.
Prayer Adapted from the Mass to St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lord Our God, grant that through his intercession of St. Joseph, your Church may be guided by the mysteries of human salvation whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. We pray for peace to reign in our hearts, lives, and in the world today. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus your Son. Amen
Scripture Reading Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24, RSCVE
And Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife.
Silent Introspection The Chaminade Legacy, Vol. 2, 405
Silently introspect on the following text from Father Chaminade's writings on St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary, and Patron of the Society of Mary.
Father Chaminade writes:
…What a gift of prudence he must have received for the Lord to have thus set him up as head of his family, over God’s Son and God’s daughter, over Jesus and Mary. But also, what an honor to enter thus into an alliance with the heavenly Father’s family, to become the third person of this created trinity! Saint Joseph enters into an alliance, properly so-called, with the divine family. By becoming the spouse of Mary, he will henceforth be included in the expression “holy family.”
Personal/ Group Sharing
Meditating on the feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and protector of the Holy Family, how does St. Joseph inspire us to be close to Jesus and Mary and be faithful in our love and dedication to them and God’s calling in our lives?
May the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Amen.
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