Icons and Mysteries

Apostles Creed

The 1st Joyful Mystery:

The Annunciation of the Incarnation

The 2nd Joyful Mystery:

The Visitation of Mary with her Cousin Elizabeth

The 3rd Joyful Mystery:

The Nativity of Jesus in the Stable at Bethlehem

The 4th Joyful Mystery:

The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple

The 5th Joyful Mystery:

The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The First Sorrowful Mystery:

The Agony in the Garden

The Second Sorrowful Mystery:

The Scourging at the Pillar

The Third Sorrowful Mystery:

The Crowning with Thorns

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery:

The Carrying of the Cross

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery:

The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord

The First Glorious Mystery:

The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead

The Second Glorious Mystery:

The Ascension of Our Lord

The Third Glorious Mystery:

The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

The Fourth Glorious Mystery:

The Assumption of Mary, Body and Soul, into Heaven

The Fifth Glorious Mystery:

The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Closing Prayer

Personal Prayer Meditations

The 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation of the Incarnation
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which you became man, give me the grace to discern properly Your holy will and the docility to accept it.
The 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary with her Cousin Elizabeth
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be a true servant to others.
The 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of Jesus in the Stable at Bethlehem
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which for the first time humanity beheld Your human face, give me a spirit of poverty and gratitude for Your many blessings.
The 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be obedient to all whom You have placed in authority over me - especially Your Church.
The 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
    O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the perseverance to search for You and to find You in all persons, at all times, in all place, and in all things.

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to conform my will to Yours.
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be detached from all the sinful desires of the flesh.
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to be detached from all the sinful desires of the mind.
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to pick-up  my cross and to follow You, the humility to allow others to help me along the way, and the charity to help them.
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which You gave Your life for me, give me the grace to forgive others, as You forgave us.

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred of all mysteries in which you conquered death by death, give me Your peace.
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the knowledge and understanding of Your mysteries so that I might better live out your command to go and teach all nations.
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this most sacred mystery in which You filled Your Church with Your Holy Spirit, give me the burning zeal to share Your holy Gospel.
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary, Body and Soul, into Heaven
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the blessing of being united with my family in the eternal beatitude of heaven.
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
   O God, my God, through the intercession of St. Joseph and by the merits of this holy mystery, give me the grace to live out my calling with charity, humility, and perseverance, so that I may receive from You the crown of glory that You made for me from the foundation of the world.

Scriptural Meditations

The 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation of the Incarnation
   “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
The 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary with her Cousin Elizabeth
   "How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43)
The 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of Jesus in the Stable at Bethlehem
   "You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
The 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
   "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel." (Luke 2:34)
The 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
   “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48)

The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
   “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt. 26:39)
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
   "I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” (Luke 23:22)
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
   “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matt. 27:29)
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
   “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23:28)
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
   “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection of Our Lord from the Dead
   “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)
The Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord
   "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19)
The Third Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
   "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38)
The Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary, Body and Soul, into Heaven
   "Well done, my good and faithful servant... Come, share your master’s joy." (Matt. 25:21)
The Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
   "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matt. 25:34)

Introduction to the Chaplet of St. Joseph

As we continue the Month of the Holy Rosary, I'd like to share with you a devotional prayer that has been a huge part of my life for the last seven or so years: the Chaplet of St. Joseph. In fact, it is because of the Chaplet, I fell in love with Joe's patronage.

The reason I bring it up now is because it is based on the rosary itself - much like the dignity of Joe emanates from the dignity of his holy spouse, whose dignity emanates from the dignity of her Son.


-It begins with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles Creed.

-Afterwards, for each of the traditional 15 mysteries of the rosary, there is:
1) a meditation on the mystery,
2) two Hail Mary's, and
3) three recitations of "Praised and blessed be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!"
               It's literally as simple as 1, 2, 3!

-Then, after praying through the 15 mysteries:
"Pray for us O holy St. Joseph.
     That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."

- Finally, in conclusion:
"O, God, Who had predestined St. Joseph from all eternity for the service of Thine Eternal Son and His Blessed Mother, and made him worthy to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin and the foster father of Thy Son: we beseech Thee, through all the services he has rendered to Jesus and Mary on earth, that Thou wouldst make us worthy of his intercession and grant us to enjoy the happiness of his company in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen"

Over the course of the next couple weeks, I will share various meditations for the 15 mysteries that have developed over the years in my praying through the Chaplet. 

As I have experienced miraculous effects through Joe's intercession in this Chaplet, I hope that you too will experience miraculous healing as I have!

Ad Te Beate Ioseph

As we begin the month of October -the month of the Holy Rosary- my posts will revolve around the Rosary.

Today, I share with you an indulgenced prayer written by Pope Leo XIII in 1889, which is recommended to be prayed at the conclusion of praying the Rosary:

To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.

Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your 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 kind to us
and from heaven assist us in our struggle
with the power of darkness.

As once you 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 your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.

Amen.

You can also listen to a beautiful musical rendition of the Latin text of the prayer:

Terror of Demons

My absolute favorite title given to Joe is 'Terror of Demons'. How awesome of a name is that! It's even better than St. Anthony of Padua's 'Hammer of Heretics'. Yet, no matter where I've looked, I have not been able to find where and how the title originated. So, rather than giving an historical explanation, I offer a more reflective one:

Consider first what the word 'terror' means to you. In today's world, I imagine it's pretty common for us to conjure up images of the acts of radical islamists - Terrorism. So, the question is: "Is this the same kind of terror that Joe instills in the hearts of the demonic?" You might be surprised, but I say yes.

What makes terrorism an effective tool in war? It is unexpected, it attacks without distinction, and it usually goes for the weakest and most vulnerable in a society. Joe is the same with the demonic. Demons do not know where and how he will "strike" next, and he certainly doesn't seem to too selective of the kinds of demons he smites. As Teresa of Avila said, "To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succour us in some of our necessities, but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours us in them all" (Autobiography Chapter 6). In other words, Joe isn't at all too picky about which demons he liberates us from.

Now, obviously, this is far from justifying the use of terrorism as a means of physical warfare. It's one thing to act violently towards innocent human beings made in the image and likeness of God; it's totally another to wage spiritual warfare with demonic spirits who have rejected the Gift God's Presence. So, as we approach the Solemnity of St. Michael and other the Holy Archangels this Saturday, let us call upon them with Joe to do spiritual battle on our behalf during this very tumultuous time in our Church's history.

One Mother, Two Roots

Last week, I shared a part of a homily of St. John Chrysostom where he demonstrates that Mary is a daughter of David. This week, I share a paragraph from St. Augustine's work The Harmony of the Gospels, where he indicates that in addition to being a daughter of David, she is also a daughter of Aaron:

Thus, too, even if one were able to demonstrate that no descent, according to the laws of blood, could be claimed from David for Mary, we should have warrant enough to hold Christ to be the son of David, on the ground of that same mode of reckoning by which also Joseph is called His father (Luke 2:33, 41, 48). But seeing that the Apostle Paul unmistakably tells us that Christ was of the seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3), how much more ought we to accept without any hesitation the position that Mary herself also was descended in some way, according to the laws of blood, from the lineage of David? 

Moreover, since this woman's connection with the priestly family also is a matter not left in absolute obscurity, inasmuch as Luke inserts the statement that Elisabeth, whom he records to be of the daughters of Aaron, was her cousin (Luke 1:5, 36), we ought most firmly to hold by the fact that the flesh of Christ sprang from both lines; to wit, from the line of the kings, and from that of the priests, in the case of which persons there was also instituted a certain mystical unction which was symbolically expressive among this people of the Hebrews. In other words, there was a chrism; which term makes the import of the name of Christ patent, and presents it as something indicated so long time ago by an intimation so very intelligible.

And if Mary is a daughter of Aaron, then she too is a descendent relative of Eleazar (Numbers 20:22-29). And if she is in relation to Eleazar, then her heavenly, bodily resurrection along with Jesus and Joseph was prefigured as I wrote about in the post on the Solemnity of the Assumption.

Son and Daughter of David

This past Saturday, we celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, and the Gospel reading was the genealogy of Jesus according to Matthew. Now the question is, why read the genealogy of Jesus (which traces Joe's lineage, not Mary's) on the feast of Mary's Nativity?

Tomorrow, we will celebrate the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom, the great Greek Doctor and Father of the Church. It seems to me an appropriate time to share his thoughts on the importance of Joseph's lineage and perhaps an explanation for reading Joe's genealogy for Mary's birth. This is from his second homily on the Gospel of Matthew (7-8). As a side note, he also mentions a "mystical" reason for Joseph's lineage in this homily; you can read it in the third homily.

"But [how] is it manifest that [Christ] is of David? one may say. For if He was not sprung of a man, but from a woman only, and the Virgin has not her genealogy traced, how shall we know that He was of David's race? Thus, there are two things inquired; both why His mother's genealogy is not recited, and wherefore it can be that Joseph is mentioned by them, who has no part in the birth: since the latter seems to be superfluous, and the former a defect.

Of which then is it necessary to speak first? How the Virgin is of David. How then shall we know that she is of David? Hearken unto God, telling Gabriel to go unto a virgin betrothed to a man (whose name was Joseph), of the house and lineage of David (Luke 1:27). What now would you have plainer than this, when you have heard that the Virgin was of the house and lineage of David?

Hence it is evident that Joseph also was of the same. Yes, for there was a law, which bade that it should not be lawful to take a wife from any other stock, but from the same tribe (Numbers 36:6-9). And the patriarch Jacob also foretold that He should arise out of the tribe of Judah, saying [that] there shall not fail a ruler out of Judah, nor a governor out of his loins, until He come for whom it is appointed, and He is the expectation of the Gentiles (Genesis 49:10).

Well; this prophecy does indeed make it clear that He was of the tribe of Judah, but not also that He was of the family of David. Was there then in the tribe of Judah one family only, even that of David, or were there not also many others? And might it not happen for one to be of the tribe of Judah, but not also of the family of David?

Nay, lest you should say this, the evangelist has removed this suspicion of yours, by saying, that He was of the house and lineage of David.

And if you wish to learn this from another reason besides, neither shall we be at a loss for another proof. For not only was it not allowed to take a wife out of another tribe, but not even from another lineage, that is, from another kindred. So that if either we connect with the Virgin the words, of the house and lineage of David, what has been said stands good; or if with Joseph, by that fact this also is proved. For if Joseph was of the house and lineage of David, he would not have taken his wife from another than that whence he himself was sprung.

What then, one may say, if he transgressed the law? Why, for this cause he has by anticipation testified that Joseph was righteous, on purpose that you might not say this, but having been told his virtue, might be sure also that he would not have transgressed the law. For he who was so benevolent, and free from passion, as not to wish, even when urged by suspicion, to attempt inflicting punishment on the Virgin, how should he have transgressed the law for lust? He that showed wisdom and self-restraint beyond the law (for to put her away, and that privily, was to act with self-restraint beyond the law), how should he have done anything contrary to the law; and this when there was no cause to urge him?

Now that the Virgin was of the race of David is indeed from these things evident; but wherefore he gave not her genealogy, but Joseph's, requires explanation. For what cause was it then? It was not the law among the Jews that the genealogy of women should be traced. In order then that he might keep the custom, and not seem to be making alterations from the beginning, and yet might make the Virgin known to us, for this cause he has passed over her ancestors in silence, and traced the genealogy of Joseph. For if he had done this with respect to the Virgin, he would have seemed to be introducing novelties; and if he had passed over Joseph in silence, we should not have known the Virgin's forefathers. In order therefore that we might learn, touching Mary, who she was, and of what origin, and that the laws might remain undisturbed, he has traced the genealogy of her espoused husband, and shown him to be of the house of David. For when this has been clearly proved, that other fact is demonstrated with it, namely, that the Virgin likewise is sprung from thence, by reason that this righteous man, even as I have already said, would not have endured to take a wife from another race."

Only a carpenter?

This past Monday, we celebrated the US holiday of Labor Day, and it just so happens that Joe is the patron saint of laborers. Why? You might say, "Well, because he was a carpenter," and you have answered well.

But WAIT, THERE IS MORE!!! Check out this great article on a deeper meaning of Joe being a τέκτων.


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FYI, because I have begun the very busy year of 2nd Theology in seminary, I will probably be sharing more "interesting finds" over the next couple weeks. I ask for your prayers through the intercession of Joe who taught Jesus the Faith (Deut. 6:4-9, 20-25, Luke 2:51-52).

Mud Pies and Dust Smoothies

Naturally, when I was growing up, a favorite activity was making those wonderful mud pies and slinging them at others. While some see this as child's play, it's actually an imitation of the Divine. Take for example that God made Adam out of mud (depending on the translation: dirt, dust, etc.) (Genesis 2:7). 

Yet there is another very significant passage from the Mosaic Law that deals with dust (Numbers 5:11-31), and I believe that it is very closely linked to Joe. Basically, I'm talking about the ritual that was for women who were suspected by their husbands of being unfaithful without actually finding them in the act of adultery:

1. The husband first brings his wife to the priest with a offering of barley meal (aka the important ingredient of Scotch Whiskey).
2. The priest leads the woman to "stand before the Lord".
3. The priest uncovers the woman's head and gives her the barley meal to hold.
4. The priest then takes holy water and adds "some dust from the floor of the tabernacle" to the holy water.
5. The priest makes a pronouncement to the woman saying if she is faithful, nothing will bad will happen, but if she was unfaithful to her husband, then some serious consequences will come about.
6. The priest writes the pronouncement down on paper and washes it in the holy dust water.
7. The priest and the woman switch objects (water and barley), and the priest burns some of the barley on the altar.
8. Finally, the woman drinks the "water of bitterness", and God does his work of vindicating or condemning the woman.

So, how does this apply to Joe? 

Well, its a pretty safe assumption that Mary was not caught in the act of adultery because, well, she never committed it (of course, we know that, but Joe didn't). So, before Joe could accuse her as being an adulteress, he and Mary had to go through with this ritual since they were Law-abiding Jews. So, when nothing bad happened to Mary, Joe was left questioning. He knew it was not his child, and he believed that it was not another via the ritual. So, how was it possible for her to be with child? 

It seems to me that Joe assumed that God was mysteriously involved but had absolutely no idea how. And if he could not explain it to himself, how could he explain it to others? Hence, he did not want "to expose her to shame, [and] decided to divorce her quietly" (Matthew 1:19). And it wasn't until the Angel filled him in on the current events of Mary's life in a dream, that he found out about the true nature of his wife's baby.

Just a couple more observations:

• Incidentally, one of several interpretations of the meaning of the name of Mary is "bitter sea." How appropriate for the one that the bitter water left unharmed! 
• The woman's head was uncovered in the ritual. In Hebrew culture, veiling was used to cover the sacred. So, in unveiling Mary and through the ritual, the priest uncovers to Joseph the most Sacred of All - God Himself!
• Do you remember that scene from Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ when the Jewish leaders bring Mary Magdalene to Jesus, and Jesus epically writes in the sand (John 8:2-11)? Of course, there have been many speculations on what he wrote (and it is all speculation!), but I would like to offer just one more: Jesus was reminding the Jewish leaders of their duty to put Magdalene to the bitter water test (who incidentally also bears the name Mary!).
• Finally, the significance of the barley... 
• The quantity is the same as the manna that Aaron the priest placed in the ark of the covenant, and Mary is the new ark of the covenant! (Exodus 16:16,32-36) 
• Barley loaves were miraculously multiplied by Christ in the feeding of the multitude (John 6:5-15)
• Both the manna and the barley loaves are prefigurements of Christ the "bread of life" (John 6:31-35)