Ad te beate Ioseph

As we close this month in honor of St. Joseph, let us approach him for assistance as we enter Holy Week.  Even though he did not have to witness the events of Holy Week, neither did we. Therefore, it is appropriate to ask for his help so that we might have the proper view of these tragic and glorious events. Let us walk with Joseph following in the footsteps of Jesus.

Also, it would make sense that a part of the strength that Christ had during His sufferings (even if it was only a small part) was from the witness and teachings of his foster-father. Joseph taught Jesus how to patiently endure in silence the sufferings and pangs of this world. It is fitting then to go to Joseph in the midst of our trials and to learn from him how to suffer.

TO thee, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. Through that charity which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which thou embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg thee to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with thy power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once thou rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by thy constant protection, so that, supported by thy example and thy aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holy, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen. (Pope Leo XIII)