ST. JOSEPH'S FEAST DAY - MARCH 19

IN NEED OF HELP TODAY ?

try to ask St. Josephs intercession..... foster-father of Our Lord, chaste spouse of Our Lady, patriarch of the Church, and protector of the needy.Please take advantage of Saint Joseph's great intercessory power to ask for graces on his feast day.

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O thou, whom no one has ever yet invoked in vain, thou, whose power with Our Lord and Our Lady is so great, that it has been truly said, "In Heaven, Joseph commands rather than supplicates," tender father, intercede for me!
St. Joseph, be my advocate with thy Divine Son, Whose foster-father and faithful protector thou wert here below. Add to all thy glories, that of gaining the despaired of cause that I confide to thee. I believe, yes, I believe thou canst obtain my deliverance from the troubles that overwhelm me, and the desolation in which my soul is plunged. I have the firm hope that thou wilt neglect nothing in favor of the afflicted who invoke thee.
Humbly prostrate at thy feet, dear St. Joseph, I implore thee to have pity on my tears, cover me with the mantle of thy merciful protection and bless me. Amen

(prayer taken from americaneedsfatima.org)

more on St.Joseph in the following links:

http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/story.php?id=32698

http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/story.php?id=32697

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=32701

http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/story.php?id=32699

TAKING UP OUR CROSSES

If theres one requirement in following Jesus its, to follow Him and take up our cross.

so what does comprise this cross:

1.) Our cross is our own limitations- it maybe our pains, physical flaws that makes us insecure, imperfections, sad experiences, loneliness, fears, insecurities, our sins

2.) then again they are other people who become a cross to us - most times our sufferings comes from the people we love or care the most. This is due to their inability to understand, to take care of us, ignore us, their offenses, indifference or betrayal. Through society we also share crosses - wars, injustices, hunger, poverty , unemployment, global crisis, conditions that are against our human dignity.

3.) and the deepest meaning of the cross comes from our relationship with God, since we cannot see Him and were still pilgrims on our way home, There are still many questions to be answered, still many promises and desires to be fulfilled.

To take up our cross means to TRUST in God, specially when its difficult, when we cant see immediate results, its an act of hope, it helps purify us, and stimulate our desire for God, an abandonement in Gods hands. The cross has the power to liberate us from hate and restore unity.


" Whatever we maybe called to endure, Jesus has already endured."