This Friday is the feast day of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. These past few days I have been praying a novena for his intercession. Today, while I was praying, the words in today's specific prayer really struck me. Today's prayer was centered on the family and I want to remember to pray this prayer for my family and then for the family I will have one day. It's a beautiful portrayal of what families should be striving for-to be like the Holy Family. So here is the prayer:
Saint Joseph, I venerate you as the gentle head of the Holy Family. You lived, moved, and acted in the loving company of Jesus and Mary, even died in their arms. Your family life at Nazareth radiated divine charity. Jesus chose to fulfill toward you all the duties of a faithful son, showing you every mark of honor and affection due to a parent, and Mary loved you as a devoted wife. You responded to this love and veneration with the deepest love and respect. You had for Jesus a true fatherly love, and your love for Mary grew stronger every day. God has made you the patron of family life because of how peacefully and happily the Holy Family rested under the care of your fatherly rule. You are the patron and intercessor of families, and you deserve a place in every home.
Saint Joseph, please obtain God's blessing upon my own family. Make our home and the home of each Christian family the kingdom of Jesus and Mary- a kingdom of peace, joy, and love.
Grant that we may be reunited in God's Kingdom and eternally live in the company of the Holy Family in heaven.
Amen
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