Knowing by experience St. Joseph’s astonishing influence with God, I would wish to persuade everyone to honor him with particular devotion. I have always seen those who honored him in a special manner make progress in virtue, for this heavenly protector favors in a striking manner the spiritual advancement of souls who commend themselves to him.
— St. Teresa of Avila
You have probably heard of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the heroic priest who gave his life for another prisoner in the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Saint Maximilian was a zealous promoter of Our Lady and Marian consecration. He founded the Militia Immaculatae in 1917 to spread devotion to Our Lady around the world. But have you heard of Fr. Joseph Kentenich, another great promoter of devotion to Our Lady?
In 1941, Fr. Kentenich was arrested by the Gestapo and put in prison in Germany. For medical reasons, the Nazis did not intend to send him to a concentration camp. Zealous for Our Lady, however, Fr. Kentenich requested he be sent to the concentration camp at Dachau. He wanted to offer his suffering for the Marian movement he had initiated in 1914, called Schoenstatt. He founded the Schoenstatt Movement in order to teach Our Lady’s virtues to people and transform the world through Marian consecration. Father Kentenich spent three years in Dachau.
Father Kentenich’s method of Marian consecration is known as the “covenant of love.” He believed that a covenant of love with Mary would transform the world by turning the members of Schoenstatt into “apparitions of Mary.” Not literal apparitions, of course; rather, by imitating Mary’s virtues, the members of Schoenstatt would become reflections of Mary, “apparitions” of Our Lady, in the world. The Church and the world need such apparitions!
The Church and the world also need “apparitions” of St. Joseph:
men and women who radiate the virtues of St. Joseph, especially his faithful love as a husband and father. In a world plagued with gender ideology and confusion about marriage and the family, reflections of Mary and St. Joseph are very much needed. Consecration to St. Joseph and imitation of his virtues will make this happen.
THE LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH WILL PREPARE YOU FOR TOTAL CONSECRATION TO YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER AND TEACH YOU HOW TO RESEMBLE HIS VIRTUES.
The litany dates back to at least the 16th century and has been prayed by countless saints. The version you will pray was approved and indulgenced by St. Pope Pius X in 1909. Through the Litany of St. Joseph, you will learn the virtues and wonders of your spiritual father and become an “apparition of St. Joseph” in the world.
I take refuge in thy arms [St. Joseph], so that thou mayest lead me in the path of virtue.
— St. Clement Mary Hofbauer
SAINT JOSEPH IS YOUR MODEL FOR LOVING JESUS, MARY, AND SOULS.
Models are meant to be replicated. Through imitation of St. Joseph’s virtues, you will become like your model and have a tremendous impact on the world. Saint Joseph’s virtues will become your virtues. You are to become “another Joseph.”
His [St. Joseph’s] eminent virtues constitute his merit and he becomes our model.
— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
St. Joseph is our guide and our model. Because our vocation is like his, we must live his life, practice his virtues, and assimilate his spirit.
— St. Peter Julian Eymard
Let us love Jesus above all, let us love Mary as our mother; but then, how could we keep from loving Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues? Now, what else did he do in all his life but contemplate, study, and adore Jesus, even in the midst of his daily labors? Behold, therefore, our model.
— St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph
Pray the Memorare to St. Joseph
“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”
