Day 1: Why Consecration to St. Joseph?

The Hebrew meaning of Joseph is, “God will Increase.” Hence, St. Joseph is, “The Increaser.” He has the power to help you increase your spiritual life and your relationship to God.

Day 2: The Litany of St. Joseph

This litany of St Joseph dates back to at least the 16th Century and highlights his virtues. By daily reading his virtues during these 33 days, we can better learn and model his virtues, too.

Day 3: God, the Father of Heaven, Have Mercy on Us.

God the Father chose only one person on earth to represent him, St. Joseph. The Heavenly Father entrusted the paternal care of Jesus on earth to St. Joseph. Jesus loved and obeyed St. Joseph. St. Joseph will take care of you, also, and increase the presence of the Heavenly Father in your life.

Day 4: God, the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have Mercy on Us.

St. Joseph was the loving and faithful guardian and protector to the Virgin Mary and Jesus. He brought many to encounter, understand and love his Son. He can help you grow in your love for Jesus too.

Day 5: God, the Holy Spirit, Have Mercy on Us.

Imitate St. Joseph, a model of holiness. He listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, even while asleep.

Day 6: Holy Trinity, One God, Have Mercy on Us.

St. Joseph is father of the earthly trinity, (Jesus, Mary and Joseph). God bestowed upon him the gifts and graces required to guide the Holy Family and oversee the domestic and temporal needs of Jesus.

Day 7: Holy Mary, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph is the most Marian of all the saints. He was the first human to totally consecrate himself to her. In marriage, he consecrated himself to her perpetual virginity. He provided, protected and served her. Allow him to bring you closer to Our Blessed Mother.

Day 8: St. Joseph, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph is foremost over all the saints and is given exalted status by the Doctors of the Church. To better understand the reverence due to God and his saints: Latria (Greek Adoration) to God; Hyperdulia (highest reverence) to the Virgin Mary; Protodulia (first revered) to St. Joseph, and Dulia (revered) to all the other saints.

Day 9: Noble Offspring of David, Pray for Us.

“The espousals between Joseph and Mary are an episode of great importance. Joseph was of the royal line of (King) David and, in virtue of his marriage to Mary, would confer on the Son of the Virginon God’s Sonthe legal !tle of “Son of David,” thus fulfilling the prophecies.” (Pope Benedict XVI) Hence, St. Joseph is of royal blood and a noble offspring of David.

Day 10: Light of Patriarchs, Pray for Us.

As the Old Testament Patriarchs were obedient, wise and faithful to God, St. Joseph goes beyond these “fathers.” He bears the true Light of the World, Jesus, to us.

Day 11: Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us.

“St. Joseph was the spouse of Mary. In the same way, each father sees himself entrusted with the mystery of womanhood through his own wife. Dear fathers, like St. Joseph, respect and love your spouse; and by your love and your wise presence, lead your children to God.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

Day 12: Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph exercises both chastity and celibacy. Pure in heart, he is in control of his passions, and in marriage, united to the Blessed Virgin in heart, mind and soul, but never in body. He protects her virginity as he is called by God to celibacy. We are all called to chastity; however, some are called to celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Day 13: Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph is both foster and spiritual father to Jesus. His fatherhood is perpetual, faithful and authoritative. Allow St. Joseph to be your spiritual father also, guiding you on your spiritual journey here on earth and in heaven.

Day 14: Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape the murderous plot of Herod. A dangerous foreign land filled with pagan idolatry, thieves, he had to secure work to feed, clothe, and shelter his family. You too must defend Jesus and His Church against a growing hostility to the Christian faith. Ask St. Joseph to help you become a zealous defender.

Day 15: Head of the Holy Family, Pray of Us.

Historically, God established the father as the “head” of the family. St. Joseph was the head of the Holy Family. Mary and Jesus looked to him for security, love, guidance, protection. If husbands and fathers imitate St. Joseph, the family unit grows stronger. Fr. Calloway suggests to make St. Joseph the spiritual head of your family. Obtain a statue or a beautiful image of St. Joseph, and place it in a prominent place in your home.

Day 16: Joseph Most Just, Pray of Us.

“In Hebrew, a just man means a good and faithful servant of God, someone who fulfils the divine will, or who is honorable and charitable toward his neighbor.” (St Josemaria Escriva) St. Joseph is a just man.

Day 17: Joseph Most Chaste, Pray for Us.

Both the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph shared the virtue of chastity. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Lk 12:34). Saint Joseph has three treasures: Jesus, Mary and you. The heart of St Joseph is the heart of a loving father and you have access to his heart. The Chaste Heart of St. Joseph is your home. Turn to St. Joseph to receive the grace of a chaste heart that loves fully.

Day 18: Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for Us.

Human prudence is a virtue that uses practical reason to discern the true good in every situation and the right means of achieving it. In supernatural prudence, one uses his mind and heart to discern how God is best served, often causing personal sacrifice and suffering. St. Joseph placed himself in God’s Will. He will help you serve God, too.

Day 19: Joseph Most Courageous, Pray for Us.

Courage is derived from “cour,” or “heart.” He had fortitude, a cardinal virtue that strengthens one to do the will of God, especially during hardships and suffering. People of courage love the good more than the fear of suffering and evil. Life has its ups and downs. Ask St. Joseph to help you in your trials.

Day 20: Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for Us.

As disobedience to God by our first parents (Adam and Eve) caused all mankind to fall into sin, the obedience of our new parents (Joseph and Mary) brought forth the Son of God and Salvation. Ask St. Joseph to help you obey the 10 Commandments and the teachings of the Catholic church.

Day 21: Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph had faith and trusted in God’s Will for him, both in good and difficult times (birth of Jesus, flight into Egypt, finally finding young Jesus in the Temple, home life in Nazareth). He trusted Jesus. If you live the teachings of Jesus, and the spiritual and moral teachings of the Catholic faith, you may be ridiculed by others. Stand firm and imitate St. Joseph.

Day 22: Mirror of Patience, Pray for Us.

No doubt, St. Joseph had to be patient and await God’s Divine Providence (Mary’s 3month visitation to Elizabeth, the flight and stay in Egypt until the angel brought word of safety at home, searching for the young Jesus for 3 days in Jerusalem). Patience is a virtue. Obtaining patience requires time, love, forgiveness and mercy. We live in a “time constraint” society. It creates stress. Ask St. Joseph to help you learn patience.

Day 23. Lover of Poverty, Pray for Us.

The Holy Family was very poor. St. Joseph could purchase only 2 turtle doves instead of a pricier lamb for the Presentation. The Magi’s gift of gold helped provide for the Holy Family’s life in Egypt. The Holy Family lived in a simple home in Nazareth. Detachment of wealth/materialism brings one closer to God. Ask St. Joseph to help you become spiritually rich in the Kingdom of God.

Day 24: Model of Workman, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph taught Jesus the work of a carpenter. Work is essential, and diligent work benefits the soul. However, there is a needed balance between work, time for God, family and rest. St. Joseph will help you teach that balance.

Day 25: Glory of Domestic Life, Pray for Us.

Jesus lived with St. Joseph and Mary for 30 years before beginning his public ministry. The Holy Family shared work, meals, celebrations and prayers together. Ask St. Joseph to bless your home and your domestic life.

Day 26: Guardian of Virgins, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph shared a life of celibacy, along with the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Many religious saints have written of their prayers to St. Joseph for his intercession in protecting their purity. Let us ask St. Joseph for his guidance and protection over all consecrated men and women in their living of celibacy and we pray that St Joseph will help all of us to live a life of chastity in joy.

Day 27: Pillar of Families, Pray for Us.

A pillar is a firm support. St. Joseph was a firm foundation for the Holy Family. The Holy Family is the pillar of families. The Holy Family put God first; sharing prayers, meals, love, forgiveness, and mercy. Modern society has witnessed the breakdown of the family and the negative consequences on individuals, especially, children. Ask St. Joseph to help make your family strong.

Day 28: Comfort of the Afflicted, Pray for Us.

In life, you cannot escape sorrow. Life has many challenges and problems: financial, emotional, health, worries, death of loved ones, difficulties in relationships. Many have grown up without the presence of a loving father. Rest in St. Joseph’s fatherhood, he will offer comfort.

Day 29: Hope of the Sick, Pray for Us.

St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Theresa of Avila speak of their physically healing after prayers to St. Joseph to intercede before God. Their prayers were answered. St. Joseph offers hope in times of sickness.

Day 30: Patron of the Dying, Pray for Us.

Joseph died a holy and happy death. Tradition says that St. Joseph died in the loving presence of Mary and Jesus. We will all die. We need to prepare ourselves for our own deaths. “St. Joseph is the patron and protector of a happy death. Those who pray to him are certain to die in good dispositions. He is the model of those who wish to die in the Lord.”) St. Perter Julian Eymard.

Day 31: Terror of Demons, Pray for Us.

St. Joseph alone bears this title, “Terror of Demons.” Why are demons terrified of St. Joseph? It is because he alone was the spouse of the Immaculata, he spent many years in “adoration” of Jesus, he had paternal authority over Jesus. St. Joseph is often depicted holding a lily. The lily represents the sword of purity. It is a spiritual weapon. It is the sword that pierces the serpent dragon. When pressed by evil, go to St. Joseph.

Day 32: Protector of the Holy Church, Pray for Us.

In 1870, St. Joseph was proclaimed, “Patron of the Universal Church.” Patron come from the root word, “pater,” “father.” The Church continues to undergo division. Many outside and inside the Church threaten her. Let us pray to St. Joseph to safeguard the Church and help restore her to order.

Day 33: He Made Him the Lord of His Household, and Prince Over All His Possessions.

“As Almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time was come and he was about to send on earth his only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, he chose another Joseph of whom the first had been a type, and he made him the lord and chief of his household and possessions, the guardian of his choicest treasures.” (Blessed Pope Pius IX)

CONSECRATION DAY - Congratulations for having completed the 33 Day preparation to Consecration to St. Joseph!

Prayer of Consecration to St. Joseph

O Glorious Patriarch and Patron of the Church! O Virgin Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God! O Guardian and Virginal Father of the Word Incarnate! In the presence of Jesus and Mary, I choose you this day to be my father, my guardian, and my protector. O great St. Joseph, whom God has made the Head of the Holy Family, accept me, I beseech you, though utterly unworthy, to be a member of your “Holy House.” Present me to your Immaculate Spouse; ask her also to adopt me as her child. With her, pray that I may constantly think of Jesus, and serve him faithfully to the end of my life. O Terror of Demons, increase in me virtue, protect me from the evil one, and help me not to offend God in any way. O my Spiritual Father, I hereby consecrate myself to you. In faithful imitation of Jesus and Mary, I place myself and all my concerns under your care and protection. To you, after Jesus and Mary, I consecrate my body and soul, with all their faculties, my spiritual growth, my home, and all my affairs and undertakings. Forsake me not, but adopt me as a servant and child of the Holy Family. Watch over me at all times, but especially at the hour of my death. Console and strengthen me with the presence of Jesus and Mary so that, with you, I may praise and adore the Holy Trinity for all eternity.