What Does it Mean to Consecrate Yourself to St. Joseph?
As Catholics, we have a multitude of traditions, devotions, and prayers you can follow throughout your journey with God. One tradition has recently been gaining momentum in the Church: a greater devotion to St. Joseph. St. Joseph has always had a special place in the lives of Christians throughout the centuries, but his increasing importance in the life of the Church encourages us to study and know him better during these unprecedented times.
Consecration to St. Joseph basically means you acknowledge that St. Joseph is your spiritual father and that you want to live more like him to grow closer to his son, Jesus. This 33-day journey reading about him and getting to know more about his virtues shows your entire entrustment to his paternal care.
Who was St. Joseph
He was the holiest person on Earth after Mary and the “Most Just” of all saints. St. Joseph was the chosen one to take Jesus as his child and Mary as his wife. He was a just and reverent man, the pillar of families, and the Patron of the Universal Church as well as the Patron Saint for workers. He truly lived the love of God, and Jesus grew up watching and learning all of this from him as his Earthly father.
The 33-Day Journey
In order to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph, you’ll first need the burning desire to devote yourself to him and to learn more about him.
You’ll also need the book, Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father, which will prepare you each day along your 33-day journey with St. Joseph. You can do this 33-day journey on your own or in a group. I did mine in a group, which helped me really receive an enriching and fulfilling devotion to St. Joseph.
Consecration to St. Joseph follows the Marian consecration preparation method by St. Louis de Montfort, highlighting many of St. Joseph’s titles, privileges, and heroic virtues. There are certain days you can start the consecration in order to finish on a liturgical feast day of St. Joseph. For more information about purchasing the book, the 33-day preparation, and the consecration chart, you can visit ConsecrationStJoseph.org.
After choosing your day, you’ll begin your consecration. Each day, you begin by reading a short excerpt of one of the invocations in the Litany of St. Joseph (Part I). You’ll then follow up with a reading a Wonder on St. Joseph’s life and experiences (Part II), and finally, you’ll conclude with reciting the Litany of St. Joseph (found in Part III).
Through these daily readings, you’ll begin to know and love St. Joseph in a profound way, preparing your consecration day. On the day of your consecration, attend mass if possible and choose an Act of Consecration to St. Joseph for you to recite.
Why Should I Consecrate Myself to St. Joseph?
I highly recommend this Consecration to anyone searching for a closer bond with Jesus and Mary, yearning to become more holy, faithful, and loving, and eager to increase the presence of God in their lives.
It helped me learn how to imitate St. Joseph’s virtues and faithfulness to Jesus and Mary and pushed me to ascend to greater heights in my spiritual life. I would love to hear about your experience and what fascinated you most about your journey with St. Joseph!
Leave a comment below, or email me at chriz@christinemarielacayo.com.
Consecration Day- Cristo Rey Catholic Church, Austin, TX
Special Privileges of Devotion to St. Joseph:
Attaining the virtue of purity and overcoming the sensual inclinations of the flesh
Procuring powerful help to escape sin and return to the friendship of God
Increasing the love and devotion to most Holy May
Securing the grace of a happy death and protection against the demons in that hour
Filling the demons with terror at the mere mention of his name by his clients
Gaining health of body and assistance in all kinds of difficulties
Securing issue of children in families
“Saint Joseph my dear father, gaze upon me from heaven. Detach me from the things of earth, obtain for me purity of heart, love of God, and final perseverance.”
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