Happy St. Joseph's Day!

We look to Joseph

as our model

of gentleness,

justice,

and humility...

Boston CSJ Constitution

Spirit and Purpose #5

As Sisters of St. Joseph and associates throughout the world celebrate St. Joseph's Day, I share this prayer to St. Joseph. It is on a prayer card produced by our Mission Advancement Office in 1999. Although it was written a few years ago, I continue to receive requests to use it. So I share it here once again.

Prayer to St. Joseph

God of Great Love,

Your son, Jesus,

was nurtured by St. Joseph.

May we look to Joseph

as our model of justice,

gentleness, and humility.

May we, with Joseph,

nurture the life of Christ

in our lives

and in the lives of others,

uniting all people

and all creation

with God and with one another.

May Joseph's life inspire us

to be a hopeful, healing presence

within our world.

Amen

© 1999 -- Joanne Gallagher, CSJ

Many will also recognize the photograph as the statue of St. Joseph by Mary Southard, CSJ, that is located on the grounds of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, CA. This is only one of many garden sculptures by Mary Southard, CSJ.  I'm including a photo that shows the full view of the statue so you can see it in context. The statue is a meditation in itself.

Also, I would like to call your attention to a lovely article by Father Richard Erikson, Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Boston, that is in this week's editon of The Boston Pilot. It's titled Celebrating the Sisters of St. Joseph. Thank you Father Erikson!

A very happy St. Joseph Day to all.

Happy St. Joseph's Day

March 19 is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. It's a big feast day for all Sisters of St. Joseph. We have a liturgy at our Motherhouse this evening. It's always a celebration I look forward to. There are usually close to 200 sisters and associates who participate.



The other day a Dominican sister who is a friend of mine wrote and asked if I had any St. Joseph prayers. I remembered this one that I wrote a few years ago. It was printed on a little prayer card with a picture of St. Joseph on the front and given to all our friends and donors. Since I wrote it, I don't need to worry about copyright so I'll share it here. This picture is the statue of St. Joseph that is outside our Motherhouse. It also shows a little of the Motherhouse Residence building and part of the chapel.

Prayer to St. Joseph

God of Great Love,
Your son, Jesus,
was nurtured by St. Joseph.
May we look to Joseph
as our model of justice,
gentleness, and humility.
May we, with Joseph,
nurture the life of Christ
in our lives
and in the lives of others,
uniting all people
and all creation
with God and with one another.
May Joseph's life inspire us
to be a hopeful, healing presence
within our world.
Amen

© 1999 -- Joanne Gallagher, CSJ