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Day 6

33-Day Consecration to St. Joseph

Zealous Defender of Christ

St. Joseph is called the Zealous Defender of Christ because when Christ was threatened and persecuted he did not hesitate, not even for a moment, to defend and to protect Jesus and Mary. When Herod threatened to kill the baby Jesus, he listened to the instructions of God and obeyed, leading the Holy Family to Egypt:

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. (Mt 2:13-14)

We too have the opportunity and duty to defend Christ and His Church today. We have Christ fully present among us in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist, Christ’s very body, blood, soul, and divinity, is His most precious gift to us yet many people do not understand or believe in His real presence in the Eucharist. Do we ourselves truly show love and reverence to Christ in The Most Blessed Sacrament? Do we attend Mass faithfully and lead the people God has entrusted to us to our Eucharistic Lord? As faithful disciples of Jesus, we will be criticized, hated, ridiculed, and mocked by the world — oftentimes by our own family and friends. Our suffering may be great, but our witness to Jesus — will be greater. 

Let us resolve today to make the Eucharist a priority in our lives. Let Jesus transform our hearts. Let us be a Holy Vessel of Christ and a light to shine in a world that is filled with darkness. If we are to be the Light of Christ to others we must come and receive Christ in the Holy Eucharist with humility and surrender. 

St. Joseph, Defender of Christ! Teach us how to defend Christ zealously. Pray for us so we may be worthy to love and defend Jesus as you loved and defended Him. Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.

Daily Challenge

Reflect on the reality and power of Jesus being present in his entirety in the Holy Eucharist, and if not already, make weekly Sunday Mass a non-negotiable for your family.

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Noble Offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster-Father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Zealous Defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph Most Just, pray for us.
Joseph Most Chaste, pray for us.
Joseph Most Prudent, pray for us.
Joseph Most Courageous, pray for us.
Joseph Most Obedient, pray for us.
Joseph Most Faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of Patience, pray for us.
Lover of Poverty, pray for us.
Model of Workmen, pray for us.
Glory of Domestic Life, pray for us.
Guardian of Virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of Families, pray for us.
Comfort of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the Sick, pray for us.
Patron of the Dying, pray for us.
Terror of Demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
He has made him lord of his household,
And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray. O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

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