Moments in Philippines Daily Inquirer by Fr Jerry Orbos SVD
March 19 is the Feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary. Pope Francis told us during the meeting of families at the Mall of Asia arena about his personal devotion to St. Joseph, whom he describes as “a strong man of silence.” Pope Francis has a statue of the sleeping St. Joseph on his desk, and he said that he writes on a piece of paper whatever problem or concern comes his way, and puts it under the statue, asking St. Joseph’s most powerful intercession.
Prayer to Sleeping St. Joseph:
“Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord, so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. May I never be weary of contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms.
I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart; press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.”
Let us ask St. Joseph, intercessor and protector, to intercede for us and protect us, our families, and our nation so that God’s love, and not the enemy’s darkness, may envelop and cover us.
Together with St. Arnold Janssen, SVD, we pray: “May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the spirit of grace, and may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all.”
Éditions Verbum Bible 