Big Snow Storm

 While I was at the store and the snow began to fall. By the time I got home the first snow fight was well in play.

You know it is a bad day when the zoo is closed, that rarely happens. 

 In the next 24 hours lots and lots of snow fell. We all were trapped at home with good food and lots of fun to be had outside.

I love the ability to look out the window and see the snow falling.  If you can be safe at home then a snow storm can be beautiful and fun!  Happy Snow Days!

St. Joseph Novena

We are not praying to a statue but honoring a great man.  We seek to honor the human that cared for our Lord when he was a child.  This great man always had Mary and that precious Child close to his heart.  He lived his days in obedience and at the service for our Lord.

Our group of friends gathered and shared our intentions.  We prayed for each other's request as well as our own.  We began our 9 hour novena.  We continued to pray for each other through the day.

Good friends!  Good friends!

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, 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 (after each line)
Saint Joseph,
Renowned offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory of home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched, Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church, 

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us. 

V. He made him the lord of His house:
R. And ruler of all His substance. 

Let us pray.
O God, who in Thine unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thine own most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom we reverence as our defender on earth: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

St. Joe with Family

Prayer To St. Joseph to Sell House

O, Saint Joseph,
you who taught our Lord
the carpenter's trade,
and saw to it
that he was always properly housed,
hear my earnest plea.

I want you to help me now
as you helped your foster-child Jesus,
and as you have helped many others
in the matter of housing.

I wish to sell this [house/property]
quickly, easily, and profitably
and I implore you to grant my wish
by bringing me a good buyer,
one who is
eager, compliant, and honest,
and by letting nothing impede the
rapid conclusion of the sale.

Dear Saint Joseph,
I know you would do this for me
out of the goodness of your heart
and in your own good time,
but my need is very great now
and so I must make you hurry
on my behalf.

Saint Joseph, I am going to place you
in a difficult position
with your head in darkness
and you will suffer as our Lord suffered,
until this [house/property] is sold.

Then, Saint Joseph, i swear
before the cross and God Almighty,
that i will redeem you
and you will receive my gratitude
and a place of honour in my home.

Amen.

I am going to place you
in a difficult position
with your head in darkness
and you will suffer as our Lord suffered,
until this [house/property] is sold.
Then, Saint Joseph, i swear
before the cross and God Almighty,
that i will redeem you 

To me this part of the prayer sounds like a threat to our dear Saint Joseph.  I don't wish to hold him hostage.  We said another version of this prayer when the house was first put on the market and we buried a statue of St. Joesph.  I didn't feel good about it at all. With the feast of St. Joseph approached we decided to dig up the statue and change our approach little.  The felt too superstitions anyway, and that is not our faith.  

While waiting until the nine days before the Feast of St. Joseph I proceeded to break the statue we had taken out of the group.  This was not done on purpose.  I ordered a new one but thought it would not arrive until after our Novena began.  I was delighted when it arrived the next morning.  We will begin the novena today.

Dear St. Joseph, please come to our aid and help us to sell this home.