First Day of Advent: Are You Awake?

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The New Liturgical Year begins with the First Sunday of Advent, which is tomorrow Sunday, December 3rd.  In this new year, we as Catholics not only begin a new year year, we are invited to a renewed commitment to the Faith. The Advent Season invites us to a time of deep prayer and reflection during which we "make room" to welcome the message---and the One--who was sent for our salvation. 

 

The Liturgy of the Advent Season encourages us to vigilance--an "awakening."  Often, when we hear "awakening", we think of a New Age term. Clearly, that is not the kind of "awakening" to which we are being invited. So really, what does "awakening" mean in this case? 

 

In the coming weeks, we all most likely will be invited to a plethora of things: parties, shopping, concerts, movies, visiting Santa with the kids, cooking, decorating, wrapping, etc. While these things are certainly not bad, we can get lost in them--overwhelmed perhaps, and, in a sense, fall asleep to the reason for the Season.  On the First Sunday of Advent, in our second reading, we will hear St. Paul urge us to wake up amidst the drowsiness of these comings and goings:

You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.  For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. (Romans 13:11-14)

 

Saint Thomas Aquinas notes that St. Paul refers here to “the sleep of guilt” for our sins (Cf. Eph 5:14) and “the sleep of negligence” through sloth (Cf. Prov 6:9) (Commentary on Romans 13:11-14, CL 13, L 3, n. 1062).  Saint John Newman points out that the sleep that St. Paul speaks of is a state of insensibility to things as they really are in God's sight,” and warns us about the danger it poses to us:

 When we are asleep, we are absent from this world's action, as if we were no longer concerned in it.  It goes on without us, or, if our rest be broken, and we have some slight notion of people and occurrences about us, if we hear a voice or a sentence, and see a face, yet we are unable to catch these external objects justly and truly; we make them part of our dreams, and pervert them till they have scarcely a resemblance to what they really are; and such is the state of men as regards religious truth.” (Parochial and Plain Sermons, n. 5 – “Self Denial and the Test of Religious Earnestness.”)

 

This spiritual sleep can also mean being distracted, anxious, and disassociated, which blinds and deadens us to the presence of God both before us and abiding within us.  So often we are tempted through sin and desolation towards a spiritual gluttony.  We may notice a hunger and desire in our hearts for something more and may start looking to fill it with earthly things, concerns, delights, and our own understanding instead of Him. This sleep that distracts and blinds our hearts and ultimately leads to doubt, despair, and narcissism or even to the idolatry of sin.  This becomes an obstacle that binds and blinds us from hearing and seeing the way that Jesus is speaking to us and approaching us this Advent Season.

 

Our Lord Jesus himself reminds us not to fall asleep: Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.  Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.  So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Matt 24:42-44)

 

How will Jesus come to us this Advent season?  The Church calls us to prepare for the coming of Jesus in three ways:

 

For the first two weeks of Advent, we reflect on the second and final coming of Jesus in glory “when we will come to judge the living and the dead.”  We then close out Advent by prayerfully preparing and remembering His first coming in humility at Christmas with his birth as a baby boy in the manger at Bethlehem, uniting our frail human nature with His glorious divine nature.  However, various saints throughout the Church’s history, such as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, speak of a third and intermediate coming of Jesus between His first and second coming that we should also be focusing upon during the Advent season.  This third coming is known as the coming of Jesus in mystery.  It occurs in His Eucharistic presence, the silence of prayer, and in the joys and trials of the present moment of life with various people and events that we often overlook. 

 

This first proper focus on the coming of Jesus in mystery helps us to be alert and watchful for both His coming at Christmas and at the end of time by allowing us to focus first on His presence with us here and now.  This awareness of His coming to us in mystery will enable us to be grounded in a way that lets us find Him in the external comings and goings that give us joy and a receptivity towards His loving presence whenever Jesus comes to us.  This is so that we can abide in the healing and salvation that He offers us here and now as well as share it with others, most especially those whom we overlook or find it difficult to love.  Saint Therese of Lisieux also reminds us in relation to Jesus’ coming in the Eucharist and in Advent, “Our Lord does not come down from Heaven every day to lie just in a golden ciborium.  He comes to find another heaven which is infinitely dearer to Him -the heaven of our hearts and souls, temples of the Blessed Trinity.” (Story of a Soul).

 

And so, let's begin this Advent Season by praying the great prayer of Advent:

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and ransomed captive Israel that morns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appears.”

 

May this cry of the heart ever root us in our daily comings and goings in Jesus’ presence and to put Him on anew in our hearts and lives this Advent Season through turning away from the bondage and distraction of sin by making a daily commitment to mental prayer, frequenting the Sacrament of Confession, as well as the frequent and reverent reception of Jesus in the Eucharist.  May our hearts become the new manger in which He can abide and rest so that the great truth, promise, and prayer may be realized in us and the entire Church anew. 

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Most pure and ever-blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy scapular, faithful protectress of all the servants of your Son Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved Son, my Savior, choose you for my Patroness, that, through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. I beg your particular intercession to reveal to me all that hinders my ascent to Him and give me the strength to do all that I can to yield all that I am to Him. I also ask for your special intercession for my fruitful and joyful participation in the charism of Apostoli Viae and for (mention petitions). Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be… Let us Pray     O most glorious Virgin Mother who by the favor of your Divine Son, has so great power in heaven and on earth. Enlighten my blindness and strengthen my resolution. The zeal you have in promoting the welfare of your sacred charism, and the part you take in seeing the grace of our Redeemer abound in us, give me a right to your interest in this my request; and, when that awful hour of death approaches, be to me, I beg you, a tender Mother, and by your prayers dispose your Son Jesus Christ favorably in my regard. Amen. Litany of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Let us Pray  Colloquy     “I am the patroness of my children,” says the glorious Virgin Mother of Mount Carmel. “Give me your heart, my dear child, and if it be as hard as stone, I will, by my intercession, make it as soft as wax; and if it be found loathsome, I will render it more clear and beautiful than crystal; give me your heart, my child, and tell me with the sincerity of a true child, how much you love me.”         “O my dear Mother; I love you more than words can express, more than my very soul can conceive; I reverence you, O Sacred Virgin of Mount Carmel. I praise and magnify you, whose chaste womb bore the Son of the Most High God.”     Hail Mary… Glory be… Closing Prayer  Grant we beseech You, O Lord, that we Your servants may enjoy health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, be delivered from all temporal afflictions, and enjoy eternal bliss with You. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. DAY SIX (July 13th)  O glorious Queen of Angels. Most pure and ever-blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy scapular, faithful protectress of all the servants of your Son Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved Son, my Savior, choose you for my Patroness, that, through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. 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Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, with the Father and the Son, lives and reigns, One God, world without end. Amen. Litany of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Let us Pray  Colloquy     “I am the mirror of purity,” says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. “Will you, my dear child, daily examine your conscience, and never go to sleep in mortal sin? It is the way to live in tranquility and joy of spirit, having always your soul ready in thy hand to render it up pure to Him Who was created to His own image, and redeemed it with His own most Precious Blood. I assure you in the sincerity of a loving Mother that it is better to suffer all the punishments that could be inflicted in this life than to sleep one night in mortal sin.”         “Yes, my most dear Mother, I will think of my sins with bitterness of soul, and examine my conscience every night before I go to rest. I reverence you, O most Pure Virgin of Mount Carmel; and together with all the Blessed in Heaven I do praise you, because by your powerful intercession, we poor sinners can obtain of your Son Jesus all we ask for.” Hail Mary… Glory be… Closing Prayer     Grant we beseech You, O Lord, that we Your servants may enjoy health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, be delivered from all temporal afflictions, and enjoy eternal bliss with You. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. DAY SEVEN (July 14th)  O glorious Queen of Angels. Most pure and ever-blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy scapular, faithful protectress of all the servants of your Son Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved Son, my Savior, choose you for my Patroness, that, through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. I beg your particular intercession to reveal to me all that hinders my ascent to Him and give me the strength to do all that I can to yield all that I am to Him. I also ask for your special intercession for my fruitful and joyful participation in the charism of Apostoli Viae and for (mention petitions). Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be… Let us Pray     O most holy Mary of Mount Carmel; pray for me, I beseech you, that, through the merits of your Son, I may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and that I may serve Him faithfully in this life, and hereafter see, love, and enjoy Him in the Kingdom of His glory, Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, One God, world without end. Amen. Litany of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Let us Pray  Colloquy     “I am the Protectress of all those who place their confidence in me,” says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. “Will you, my dear child, do something this day in my honor? 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Most pure and ever-blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy scapular, faithful protectress of all the servants of your Son Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved Son, my Savior, choose you for my Patroness, that, through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. I beg your particular intercession to reveal to me all that hinders my ascent to Him and give me the strength to do all that I can to yield all that I am to Him. I also ask for your special intercession for my fruitful and joyful participation in the charism of Apostoli Viae and for (mention petitions). Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be… Let us Pray     O most glorious and Ever Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel; faithful Protectress of all those who wear your holy Scapular, behold your poor servant, humbly prostrate at your feet, deploring my misery and imploring your prayers, and beseeching you to protect me through the stormy ocean of this tempestuous world; hear my prayers then, O refuge of sinners, and after this our exile show unto us the Blessed Fruit of your womb, Jesus, O most clement, O most loving, O most sweet Virgin Mary. Litany of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Let us Pray  Colloquy     “I am the Help of Christians,” says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. “Will you, my dear child, obey all the Precepts of the Holy Catholic Church, and call upon me in your necessities? If you will do so, I will assist you, my dear child, and assure you, with a heart truly maternal, that I will plead for you in time of danger, and will avert from you all the anger and indignation of my Divine Son.”     “Yes, my dear Mother, I will always obey the Commandments of God, and of His Church; and although I were as disloyal as Judas, yet, if you be pleased to intercede for me, and assist me by your prayers, I shall never despair. And I reverence you, O Sacred Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. Together with all the Angels and Saints, I bless and praise you, because you have been found worthy to be the most faithful and humble handmaid of the Most Beloved Trinity.”     Hail Mary… Glory be… Closing Prayer  Grant we beseech You, O Lord, that we Your servants may enjoy health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, be delivered from all temporal afflictions, and enjoy eternal bliss with You. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. DAY NINE (July 16th) O glorious Queen of Angels. Most pure and ever-blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, powerful advocate of all those who wear your holy scapular, faithful protectress of all the servants of your Son Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, do this day, in the presence of your beloved Son, my Savior, choose you for my Patroness, that, through your intercession, I may receive from Him whatsoever grace may be necessary and profitable for me now, and at the hour of my death. I beg your particular intercession to reveal to me all that hinders my ascent to Him and give me the strength to do all that I can to yield all that I am to Him. I also ask for your special intercession for my fruitful and joyful participation in the charism of Apostoli Viae and for (mention petitions). Amen. Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be… Let us Pray     O Blessed Finder of Grace, Mother of Life, Mother of Salvation; may we through you have access to your Son; and that He, who was given us through you, may receive us through you; may your integrity and innocence excuse before Him the stain of our corruption: may your abundant charity cover the multitude of our sins, and your glorious fruitfulness supply our want of merits. Our Mother, our Mediatrix, our Advocate; reconcile us to your Son, by the grace with which you are honored, obtain that He, Who through you put on our weakness, may, through you, make us partakers in His bliss and glory. Amen. Litany of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Let us Pray  Colloquy     “I am the Queen of Virgins,” says the glorious Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. "Will you, my beloved child, live as an Angel clad in the flesh, as many of my devoted children did, who chose to lose their lives rather than lose the purity of body and soul? I will love you, as I have loved them, and pray for you, as I have prayed for them; and, I assure you, with a heart truly maternal, that when you depart this life, you shall enjoy that glory which ‘neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered the heart of man to conceive.’”     “Yes, my most dear Mother; I desire to be pure all my life, as well in body as in soul. I beseech you, O All-Merciful Virgin, to assist me by your prayers, that through the merits of your Divine Son Jesus I may obtain the grace so to live as to be always prepared to die. I do here prostrate before you, O most Sacred Virgin Mother. I bless and praise your name, because you have given the example of purity and sanctity to so many pious souls that have already followed and hereafter will follow you in so glorious a vocation.”     Hail Mary… Glory be… Closing Prayer  Grant we beseech You, O Lord, that we Your servants may enjoy health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, be delivered from all temporal afflictions, and enjoy eternal bliss with You. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. Prayers to be Recited at the Conclusion of the Novena on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel PRAYER AT THE MASS AND OFFICE O God, who has deigned to honor the Order of Carmel with the glorious title of Your Virgin Mother, grant the grace of her protection to all who celebrate this Solemn Commemoration, so that, through her, we may attain eternal happiness. Amen.     O Glorious Virgin Mary; Queen of Carmel and Apostoli Viae, Mother of God and of poor sinners; special Protectress of all those who wear your holy Scapular, I supplicate you, by the glory that has been accorded you by the Incarnate Word in choosing you for His Mother, to obtain for me the pardon of my sins, amendment of my life, salvation of my soul, consolation in my pains, and in particular the grace I ask in this Novena, provided it be conformable to the will of your Divine Son. Amen. ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL     O Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel and Apostoli Viae, I come today to consecrate myself to you; for my whole life is but a small return for the many graces and blessings that have come from God to me through your hands. Since you regard with an eye of special kindness those who wear your scapular, I implore you to strengthen my weakness with your prayer, to enlighten the darkness of my mind with your wisdom, to increase my Faith, Hope, and Charity that I may render, day by day, my debt of humble homage to you.     May your Scapular keep your eyes of mercy turned towards me and bring me your special protection in the daily struggle to be faithful to your Divine Son. May it separate me from all that is sinful in life and remind me constantly of my duty to behold you and clothe myself will all your virtues. From henceforth I will strive to live in the sweet companionship of the Holy Spirit, to offer all to Jesus, and make my life the mirror of your humility, charity, patience, meekness, and prayerfulness.     Amen.
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Novena to St. Joseph - January 15th
Dear Friends and Family, Please join us in our annual re-consecration to St. Joseph which is to be prayed from January 15th to the 23rd. For those who are members of Apostoli Viae, we ask you to join with our community intentions. It is always best to state them out loud and then offer our own intentions in the chat below this post so we can all pray for one another. For the repose of the souls of Cardinal Pell and Pope Benedict XVI. For the Holy Father, that he would truly be a holy father both for his salvation and that of the Church. For the Synod on Synodality, that it would be directed by God through faithful leadership to become a holy exercise that honors the authentic magisterium and unity in the Church. For our diocesan fathers, our bishops and priests, that they would be men of deep prayer and union with God and His Church and that the faithful would be protected and nourished, and the unfaithful be brought to repentance and healing. For our earthly fathers that we would all follow Jesus in His prayer and self-giving for the salvation of our families and the Church. For those who have suffered fatherlessness or have been wounded by those who should have been better fathers that they would find healing and help in the Catholic Church. For those without spiritual directors that would find help in St. Joseph until they find a suitable spiritual father. For our High Calling priestly formation and discernment program that it would expand and prepare the hearts of all the men to be exemplary fathers as priests. MEMORARE TO SAINT JOSEPH (Repeated at the End of Each of the Prayers for the Day) Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored thy help and sought thy intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto thee and beg thy protection. Despise not, O Guardian of the Redeemer, my humble supplication, but in thy bounty, hear and answer me. Amen. Day One: Saint Joseph, Powerful Intercessor Dearest Saint Joseph, after Mary, you are the most powerful intercessor before God. I know with all my heart that Jesus will listen to you with special interest as you bring my intentions to Him. Because of this, I especially want to entrust myself to your fatherly care, as did Jesus Himself. While in the past, I may have brought to you one of my intentions here or there, from this day forward, I want to give you my all. 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. Beloved Saint Joseph, as the best of fathers, the one whom God chose to be the virginal father of His Only Son, Jesus, I am confident that you know my needs better than I ever could. I give you permission, and ask you to care for me as your child. I trust that you will do everything in your power to make my life beautiful for God. I trust that you will watch over me, and that your prayers will guide, bless, and protect me. I know in my heart that you will care for me with the same love and tenderness with which you cared for Jesus. Saint Joseph, Powerful Intercessor, please pray for me and all my intentions.  Day Two: Saint Joseph, Loving Spouse of Mary Beloved Saint Joseph, when the angel told you, “Do not be afraid to take Mary for your wife,” (Mt 1:20) 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. Saint Joseph, as my spiritual father, I ask you to bring my petitions and my life to Mary. You are truly my spiritual parents. Just as any good father wants to see his children love their mother, I know you will help me 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 heart. Therefore, as I prepare to consecrate or re-consecrate myself totally to your fatherly care, I beg you to help me fully appreciate my Mother Mary. Saint Joseph, Loving Spouse of Mary, please help me to love my spiritual mother even more. Day Three: Saint Joseph, Good Provider Dearest Saint Joseph, as the foster father of Jesus, you provided for his human needs. Through the work of your hands, he had food to strengthen him, a house to give him shelter, and clothes to keep him warm. Still, from heaven, you continue to work. Indeed, the loving labor of your prayers provides for all the members of the Body of your Son. As I prepare to consecrate or re-consecrate myself completely to you, I ask you to please provide for me and my loved ones. Through your prayers, please make sure that we always have food to eat, a roof over our heads, and clothes to wear. Please pray that in times of abundance or need, we will never forget God, that we will always be grateful for His gifts, and that we will never be a slave to things like food or money, pleasure or power. Finally, help us always to remember and be generous with the poor. Saint Joseph, with you as my spiritual father, I will do my best not to give in to useless anxiety about my job, money, or material things. I believe you will always make sure I have what I need, and as a good father, I ask that you indulge me a bit by even providing for my material wants, provided they don’t take me away from Jesus. Saint Joseph, Good Provider, please provide for my needs through your powerful prayers.  Day Four: Saint Joseph, Strong Guard Beloved Saint Joseph, when I think that God gave me my guardian angel and Saint Michael to protect and defend me, I am not afraid. When I think that you, who are even more powerful before God, are my spiritual father, the Terror of Demons, who protected the Baby Jesus from Herod, then I am completely at peace. Saint Joseph, please pray that I will have the peace that comes from trusting in your fatherly protection. I believe that you will protect me from my enemies, seen and unseen. I believe that you will protect me from bodily and spiritual harm. I trust in your fatherly care. Saint Joseph, I will do my best not to give in to fear, knowing that you are praying for me as with a child who has formally consecrated himself to your fatherly care. Saint Joseph, Strong Guardian, please defend me with your prayers.  Day Five: Saint Joseph, Who Did God’s Will Dear Saint Joseph, you were profoundly docile to God's will, even in the most difficult of circumstances. I want to also do God’s most perfect will, but I know that, on my own, I will fail. I need your help. I trust that with you as my spiritual father, you will guide me to always do God’s most perfect will. I want to reach the degree of glory that God has prepared for me in heaven. I want to bear fruit that will last. I want to be a saint. Help me, Saint Joseph. You see how weak and sinful I am. Teach me, good father. Help me to follow the commandments, and make my heart sensitive to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. I know that as I entrust myself to your care, you will guide me and show me how to always do God’s will. Redirect the stream of my life if it ever departs from God’s most perfect will. Saint Joseph, who did God’s will, please always keep me in God’s most perfect will.  Day Six: Saint Joseph, Who Suffered with Love As the day draws closer when I will fully consecrate (or reconsecrate) myself to you, Saint Joseph, I cannot help but notice how you suffered with love. You suffered darkness and confusion when Mary was found with child. You suffered the sacrifice of your flesh as you lovingly offered up the absence of bodily intimacy in marriage. You suffered a sword in your heart, with Mary, when Simeon foretold the passion of your Son. You suffered stress and uncertainty when you had to escape with your family to Egypt and lived as a foreigner. You suffered crushing anxiety when your Son was lost for three days. You daily suffered fatigue and bodily aches from your manual labor. Worst of all, your fatherly heart grieved at knowing that you could not be there for Jesus and Mary when their darkest hour would one day come. Saint Joseph, thank you for what you suffered in God’s service, in union with your Son, for my salvation. I love you, Saint Joseph. Thank you for your yes. Please help me to suffer with love as you did. When I suffer, help me not to complain. Help me not to forget love. Help me not to forget others. Dear Saint Joseph, through my suffering, watch over my weak heart: may it not harden but rather become more merciful. Help me to remember all of God’s children who are suffering in the world, and help me to offer my suffering for them and for the good of the Church. I am counting on you, Saint Joseph. I know you will be with me, helping me to suffer with love. Saint Joseph, who suffered with love, please help me to suffer with a love like yours. Day Seven: Saint Joseph, Pure of Heart Purest Saint Joseph, I want to be a saint, and saints need to be pure of body and soul. Guard me, protect me, and defend me from temptations against purity. I rely on you, Saint Joseph. Don’t let me fall. Don’t let my eyes or thoughts wander. If they do, please bring them back to Jesus. I trust in you, Saint Joseph. You lived purely with Mary, despite her beauty. Help me to see the beauty of others with your own pure vision. If I fall, help me to find God’s mercy and free me from any bondage to such sin. Purify my intentions in all that I do. Help me do everything, not to please myself or others, but to please God alone. Give me this grace as my dear spiritual father. I trust in you, Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph, Pure of Heart, please lend me your own purity of heart. Day Eight: Saint Joseph, Man of Peace and Joy Saint Joseph, although the Bible doesn’t speak directly of your joy, you lived in the presence of Jesus and Mary. How could you not be joyful? I beg of you to pray that I will also find my joy by living in their presence. Please pray that I keep my joy and not give in to desolation, sadness, laziness, or discouragement. Having lived with Jesus and Mary, you also must have been a man of tremendous peace. Please ask your Son to help me keep my peace of soul and not hold on to anger and bitterness in my heart. Help me to be merciful to everyone by offering forgiveness that I might also, like you, be afilled with true peace and joy. Saint Joseph, Man of Peace and Joy, please put me at peace and help me find joy.  Day Nine: Saint Joseph, Who Died So Beautifully Beloved Saint Joseph, I know that I am going to die. When I do, I ask that you be there to greet me with Jesus and Mary. For my part, I will not to be afraid of death, and I will live my life in preparation for it. I will even do my best to look forward to it as the time when I will can meet you, face to face. Prepare me for my death, whenever it may be. If it is sudden, please make sure that my soul is prepared and please make sure I will not be lost. Dearest Saint Joseph, obtain this grace for me as I consecrate myself to your fatherly care. I am fully yours. I give you permission to take me home to my Father’s house when the day of my death comes. Saint Joseph, who died so beautifully, please prepare my soul for death.  Consecration to Saint Joseph Dear Saint 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 to act in my life, especially by... Praying for me constantly, bringing me even deeper into the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, providing for all my loved ones and me, Guarding and protecting me from bodily and spiritual evil, guiding me always to 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, Saint 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