“Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord, your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20,3-4
When I was reading about Saint Joseph last night, I got an e-mail from a friend reminding me about the 30-day novena to Saint Joseph. It has to be started on February 17th in order to be finished on the feast of Saint Joseph, on March 19th.
At first, I panicked! This year, since I focused on the 33-day novena to Mary, I planned to do the consecration to St. Joseph on May 1st as well as write about it to avoid overlaying one novena on another. So, I really, really didn’t know what to do. Then, I cried to God for a solution, because it is a lot of time to pray at once. That 30-day novena to St. Joseph’s Holy Cloak is long, about 30 minutes a day! Personally, I do not like to overwhelm myself, panic and not finish or do slapdash work or meditation. My motto is: better less but good… Too much is too much!
“But time is hot now!” – my brain was spinning. “We need Joseph, the patron of Canada, very much now, not later, not in April, but right now!”
The solution, I thought was: Who cannot do it now, can postpone it for later, but ... if women would pray for peace in their hearts, in families and in the world to Mary in the 33-day novena, maybe the husbands would turn to St. Joseph for the protection of themselves, their families and the whole world under Saint Joseph’s Cloak.
It is quite a long and intense prayer. Below, I am including a link for your convenience.
We all can use different sources and forms of prayers or meditations. Adding a litany to St. Joseph is a simple way to remember.
It's not about stiffness and formality, it is all about trust and love.
What can we do ourselves? The world is moving at a dizzying pace in some strange direction. We have to face it individually or with the support of a community.
We must not remain passive, lukewarm, we need to be hot to fight. For many reasons we first must win the spiritual battle! Just pick the method.
O Saint Joseph, lead us on the way of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and protect us from all evil. Amen.
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