Mary in Monmouth: St Joseph's Feast Day-Friday 14th March

PODCAST IMMINENT OF THE VISIT OF THE RELICS TO CARDIFF

I took recordings of the various Masses and liturgies in the Church as the relics were being received in Cardiff on Tueday and have only lightly edited them. I was doubly glad so many people, who were not able to get in and hear the service of reception and so forth will have the possibility of listening to the Masses for Priests and Vocations, Evangelisation, and personal sanctity, Angelus, Rosary , Litany and Benediction. It was extremely crowded, but I think it captures all the excitement of that day when thousands descended on Cardiff, clapped the little saint for her Christian witness and brought her candles, red roses and many other flowers, incense and beautiful music at the evening Mass.People streamed in until the Cathedral closed at Midnight, and devotions continued all evening, with people praying for conversion of sinners, confessions, praying for priests and praying that all would accept Jesus as their personal friend and Saviour. A Mediaeval style day none will forget. And Bravo to the superb organist!

DO YOU KNOW WHY BISHOPS WEAR POINTY HATS CALLED MITRES?

Truth about Relics

Relics have often been a stumbling block for people trying to understand the church. It is no different than keeping a special photo, item or clothing etc from a loved one when they have passed on. Kissing a picture or reverencing it, lighting a candle next to it or putting a poppy by it on remembrance day, just brings them alive again to you, shows them honour and respect. In the case of relics, if you can ask a living person to pray for you, then we can ask the souls who have made it to heaven to pray for us too, Having a small item which has actually touched their body or even a part of that body brings them especially close to them. The Holy Spirit has completely infused their body, So you ask this person to add their prayers to yours up above, and sometimes there are miracles as a result, although it is the prayer to Almighty God that works the miracle if there is to be one and it is his Will.

Hello! The first ten pictures

Friday, March 14, 2008

St Joseph's Feast Day-Friday 14th March

Corpus Christi Procession at Llantarnam Abbey, 2007
Below Statue of St Joseph and infant Christ outside Llantarnam Abbey, Monmouthshire/Gwent

Today is the Feast Day of St Joseph.He had the special visions from the angel about Mary. It seems he may have been an older widower with children with a strong protective and caring nature. By becoming betrothed to Mary, he saved her from being stoned to death, becing told by the Archangel Gabriel that Mary was carrying the son of God.Mary, a consecrated Virgin, was cared for by him , and indeed his care and protection were fundamental to her safety.Various accounts had him as a carpenter , but today we would probably say joiner or cabinet maker and some scriptures have him working alongside Jesus in the shop.

The second image above is St Joseph with the child Jesus to be found in the front of Llantarnam Abbey in Gwent, between Newport and Cwmbran This Abbey, once Cistercian, belongs to the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy, and their work in hospice and care homes is a great blessing to thepeople of Monmouthshire. They have various priories around Newport, St Anne's in Malpas, another in Chepstow Road and in Newport. So we wish them a happy Feast Day and also name day of the Faounder St Joseph of Annecy.

From the Eastern Rite Prayer

Verily, Joseph the betrothed, saw clearly in his old age that the prophecies of the Prophets had been fulfilled openly; for he was given strange task,
receiving inspiration from the angels, who cried, Glory to God; for he hath bestowed peace on earth

Litany of St Joseph.

A Litany is a communal prayer with a pattern to give praise to something or someone.There is a Litany of the Saints, Litany for Mary, a Litany for the Holy Name etc.

Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison
Christ, have mercy. Christe eleison
Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Care father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of artisans, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. He made him the lord of his household.
R. And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray. O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. R. Amen.