Third Day of the Saint Joseph Novena (March 12) & (April 24)
Saint Joseph Novena - DAY 3
You can follow along with the words to Church-approved Saint Joseph Novena DAY-3 prayers and reflections here. Since his feast days are on March 19 and May 1, DAY THREE is on March 12 or April 24. We can also pray a sequence of nine days year-round.
Need a different day? Links are at the end of this post.
Saint Joseph Novena- DAY 3
DAY THREE: March 12, April 24, or anytime
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
OPENING PRAYER
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.
Amen
(mention your petition)
REFLECTION:
1.
Tradition has it that Joseph had taken the vow of virginity, thus renouncing the right to marriage. At any rate, he lived a life of purity. He was stainless among men and pure in the sight of God.
2.
But God in His providence had greater designs for Joseph than mere abstinence. He chose Joseph, the just man, for the delicate mission of sheltering Mary’s virginity and at the same time being her loyal spouse and guardian of the Incarnate Son of God.
3.
Legend tells us that he was selected by a miracle: The barren rod that he held in his hand blossomed with lilies. Perhaps. But surely his soul was bright with joy when he knew that God had given him to be the partner of his life, the rose of Sharon, the stainless lily of Israel, the flower among all the flowers in God’s garden.
4.
He accepted his bride and his new responsibility with the determination to make her happy, to keep her safe, and in her company to carry out whatever were God’s plans for their future.
5.
So Joseph and Mary were married, and they established the holy house of Nazareth. There they lived the most exemplary lives.
6.
To this strong and pure protector of Mary we pray:
ST. JOSEPH MEMORARE
Remember, O most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked your aid without obtaining relief.
Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, Foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them.
Closing Prayers
God our Father and ruler of the universe, in every age You call human beings to develop and use their gifts for the good of others. With Saint Joseph as our example and guide, help us to do the work You have asked and come to the rewards You have promised.
Inspired by the example of Saint Joseph, may our lives manifest Your love, and may we rejoice forever in Your peace.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
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CREDITS
The LOGO image of Our Lady of Grace is original artwork by Martin Lariviere in 2009. We have the artist’s permission (my son). It is our exclusive trademark logo image.
A beautifully photographed sky by Donald Tong inspired the website’s colour scheme. Cropped portions of it are the background for the footer Bible verse. He shared it as a free download on pexels.com.
All of the prayers for this novena are from one book, The Treasury of Novenas, New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing Corp., 1986-2004, pp.238-242. (NIHIL OBSTAT: Francis J. McAree S.T.D., Censor Librorum; IMPRIMATUR: Patrick J. Sheridan, D.D., Vicar General, Archdiocese of New York).
Reflections are NIHIL OBSTAT: John M. Fearns S.T.D., and IMPRIMATUR: Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop, New York.
Our information is from general knowledge, experience, and shared internet sources. We’d like you to use it as a starting point for your research to verify facts and build a reference list.
Art
Raphael painted The Sistine Madonna circa (1513-1514). We made circular cut-outs from the original image.
Among his many paintings of the Holy Family by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, we were happy to choose this one as our featured image. He painted it circa 1668 to 1670.
Carlo Esteban Murillo painted St. Joseph and the Child Jesus circa 1670 to 1675.
Bartolome Esteban Murillo painted Saint Joseph with the Infant Saviour circa the 17th Century.
Saint Joseph lovingly hands the Infant Jesus to His Mother in this captivating painting by Bartolome Esteban Murillo circa 1660.
Juan Simon Gutierrez painted The Holy Family circa the 17th Century.