Seventh Day of the Saint Joseph Novena (March 16) & (April 28)
Saint Joseph Novena - DAY 7
You can follow along with the words of the Church-approved Saint Joseph Novena DAY-7 prayers and reflections here. Since his feast days are on March 19 and May 1, DAY SEVEN is on March 16 or April 28. 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 7
DAY SEVEN: March 16, April 28, 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.
Compared to the powerful and important Herod, Joseph was, in the eyes of his times, a nobody.
2.
Yet, as this faithful carpenter and saint made smooth the ways of his Lord, worked for His comfort, and knelt to adore Him, Herod plotted the destruction of this Child, whom he looked upon as a possible rival for his throne.
3.
Herod had tried to turn the Magi into messengers of death, but these wise men had a warning from God, through the star-lighted night. Failing this, Herod sent his soldiers out to kill the Child and end the threat to his brief and pitiful power.
4.
Another visit of an angel and Joseph is moving through the night, leading the donkey that carries the sacred burden of Mother and Child.
5.
Eyes alert for danger, staff gripped tightly against a possible threat, feet tirelessly striding forward, a few coins in his purse, his locked shop left behind him, Joseph travels the glorious and ignominious road to exile.
6.
But God had chosen well when He chose this protector of Mother and Son. The journey was safe, the exile comfortable, and the return happy and secure.
7.
To Joseph, guardian of Jesus and Mary in danger and exile, we say:
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.