A Helper on the Way – These thoughts come to you on the eve of his solemnity the 19th March. Last year I had a few ideas about how this great Saint can and must play a significant part in our family and faith life.
The urgency of our need for his heavenly intercession hasn’t waned. Indeed, in these deeply uncertain times, I believe it’s in his divinely appointed role as Protector of Holy Church (just like he guarded and protected the Mother of Christ and Jesus Himself) that St. Joseph really comes into his own.
My wife and I are just at the conclusion of a novena to him for some special intentions, and I for one have felt the power and effect of his intercession in a very real and concrete way only this last week. So take it from me, if you call fervently on him, he won’t fail you.
Novenas I think can be done both before and after a Saint’s feast, and I’m sure Jesus doesn’t mind if we turn to his earthly guardian and foster father for help even during the season of Lent.
After all one of the titles we attribute to St Joseph is “Terror of demons” and since Lent is all about exorcising our idols out of our lives, then he’s a great supernatural aid to invoke especially half way through our journey to Easter.
To that end, I recommend the Devotion to the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph as a fitting way to help prepare for Holy Week.
Be blessed
– Edmund
