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PAX
Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery
TOTAL CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH AND THE HOLY FAMILY
PREPARATION FOR THE TOTAL CONSECRATION TO ST. JOSEPH (18 days)
As St. Louis De Montfort advises us, we have to prepare ourselves for the consecration by exercises which certainly are not compulsory, but which assure its great efficacy because of the purity and other dispositions which tend to develop in our souls.
The object of this consecration is to cast off the spirit of the world and to acquire the spirit of Jesus, through the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Thence we will follow the practices suggested by St. Louis de Montfort: renouncement of the world, knowledge of self, of St. Joseph, of the Blessed Virgin and of Jesus Christ; we will assign 18 days for this preparation (to start the first of March or of any other month; in order to finish the 18th of that month and do the consecration on the 19th of the chosen month, since the 19th of each month is dedicated to St. Joseph by tradition.)
1 - Renouncement of the world (6 days)
The spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God, a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience; thus it is principally opposed to the spirit of Christ, which is also that of Mary and Joseph.
During this time we should consider and meditate upon our lowliness and nothingness. We should consider our origin in original sin, and how this leaves us so prone to sin at every turn. We should recall the sinful course of our life and our present sinful state. We should look to the future when the corruption of death will lay claim to us.
- Prayers to be said each day: Veni Creator; Ave Maris Stella; and the Litany of St. Joseph
- Petition: contrition for our sins and knowledge of ourselves in a spirit of humility
- Reading for the 6 days: from the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapters 5 to 10; one chapter by day.
- Spiritual exercises:
1. Examination of conscience, good confession, and communion in honor of St. Joseph.
2. To practice a daily renouncement or mortification in honor of St. Joseph.
3. Pray one Rosary each day in honor of Mary and Joseph in front of their images.
(Purity of heart is the indispensable condition for contemplating God in Heaven, to see Him on earth, and to know Him, Mary and Joseph by the light of faith.)
2 - Knowledge of Self (3 days)
We have to convince ourselves of our misery and helplessness.
- Prayers for each day: Litany of the Holy Ghost; the Ave, Maris Stella; and the Litany of St. Joseph.
- Petition: Knowledge of and love for St.Joseph
- Reading: 2 Chapters each day: 1st day St. Matt 24 and 25; 2nd day St. Lk 11 and 13; 3rd day St. Lk 17 and 18.
- Spiritual exercises:
1. Do one act of obedience each day in honor of St. Joseph
2. Do one act of humility each day in honor of St. Joseph
3. Pray one Rosary each day in honor of Mary and Joseph in front of their images. (We must understand that we can do nothing good of ourselves; and that we need Mary and Joseph to be humble, obedient, and pleasing to God.)
3 - Knowledge of St. Joseph (3 days)
Meditate and study the interior life of St. Joseph: his royalty, his power, his virtues, sentiments, actions; his participation in the mysteries of Christ, and his union with Jesus and Mary.
- Prayers for each day: Litany of the Blessed Virgin and the Litany of St. Joseph
- Petition: Ask St. Joseph for the knowledge and love of Our Lady
- Reading: To read and study the present treatise "Total consecration to St. Joseph and the Holy Family". And also read: 1st day Genesis Chapters 41-43; 2nd day Genesis Chapters 49,50; 3rd day St. Luke 1 and 2.
- Spiritual exercises:
1. Do each day one act of faith, hope and charity in honor of St. Joseph.
2. Do an act of mercy in honor of St. Joseph each day (examples: alms to the poor, visiting the sick, consoling the sorrowing, visiting and praying for the dead).
3. Pray one Rosary each day in honor of Mary and Joseph in front of their images.
(We have to prepare ourselves to give ourselves completely to St. Joseph; praying for the grace of preparing ourselves well, of making it well, and for the grace of being faithful to the practice of this consecration once we have done it.)
4 - Knowledge of Our Lady (3 days)
Mary is our Sovereign and our Mediatrix, our Mother and our Mistress. Let us then endeavor to know the effects of this royalty, of this mediation, and of this maternity, as well as the grandeurs and prerogatives which are the foundation or consequences thereof. This we cannot achieve without studying the interior life of Mary.
- Prayers for each day: Ave Maris stella; the Litanies of the Blessed Virgin and of St. Joseph.
- Petition: Ask Our Lady and St. Joseph for an increase on the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Reading: From the treatise on "True devotion to Mary" by St. Louis Ma. de Montfort the following numbers : 1st day 1-48, 90-93; 2nd day 105-182; 3rd day 213-225.
- Spiritual exercises:
1. Do each day one act of faith, hope and charity through St. Joseph in honor of Our Lady.
2. Do one act of mercy through St. Joseph in honor of Our Lady each day (examples: alms to the poor, visiting the sick, consoling the sorrowing, visiting and praying for the dead).
3. Pray one Rosary each day in honor of Mary and Joseph in front of their images.
(We have to prepare ourselves to give ourselves completely to Mary through St. Joseph; pray with fervor and humility for this grace.)
5 - Knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ (3 days)
We have to apply ourselves to the meditation and study of Christ. First the man-God, His grace and glory; then His rights to sovereign dominion over us; since, after having renounced Satan and the world, we have taken Jesus Christ for our "Lord". Also we have to meditate and study upon His exterior actions and His interior life; namely, the virtues and acts of His Most Sacred Heart; His association with Mary and Joseph in the mystery of the Incarnation, and during His private and public life.
- Prayers for each day: Litanies to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to the Blessed Virgin and to St.Joseph.
- Petition: Ask Our Lord for an increase in the love of God and the grace of a perfect and total consecration to His most sacred Heart by the hands of Mary and Joseph.
- Reading: From the Gospel of St. John the following chapters: 1st day 13-17; 2nd day 18-21; 3rd and last day from the book "True devotion to Mary" read numbers 60 to 67.
- Spiritual exercises:
1. Do each day one act of faith, hope and charity in honor of the most Holy Family.
2. Go to confession or on the day of your consecration.
3. Pray one Rosary each day in honor of Mary and Joseph in front of their images.
(Realize that the end of the present consecration is to belong, in the most perfect way possible to Our Lord Jesus Christ by using the most perfect means: Mary and Joseph; for, they are now at our disposal as the greatest treasures of grace, given to us by Our Lord Himself. And in the same proportion that we be truly and completely consecrated to Mary and Joseph, they, in turn, will be able to establish their presence in our soul in a more perfect way. Belonging completely to Mary and Joseph is how we will be able to belong completely to Jesus in the most perfect way. Amen.)
*** The day of our consecration we should receive Holy Communion.
The consecration should be done, if possible, after Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
CONSECRATION OF ONESELF TO ST. JOSEPH
AND TO THE HOLY FAMILY
(For Private use only)
O Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom! O sweetest and most adorable Jesus! True God and true man, I adore Thee profoundly in the Bosom and splendors of thy Father during eternity; and I adore Thee also in the virginal Bosom of Mary, Thy most worthy Mother, and in the arms of St Joseph, Thy Virginal Father.
I give Thee thanks for that Thou hast annihilated thyself, taking the form of a slave in order to rescue me from the cruel slavery of the devil. I praise and glorify Thee for that Thou hast been pleased to submit Thyself to Mary and Joseph in all things, in order to make me Thy faithful slave through them. But alas! Ungrateful and faithless as I have been, I have not kept the promises which I made so solemnly to Thee in my baptism; I have not fulfilled my obligations; I do not dare come by myself before Thy most holy and august majesty. It is on this account that I have first recourse to the intercession of Thy most holy mother whom Thou hast given me for a Mediatrix with Thee.
Oh most tender and sweet Mother; I love thee with my whole soul and my whole strength. I leave in thy pure hands all that I possess and shall possess, my heart, my soul, my merits, my acts, thoughts and desires; even my defects and my sins. All is thine and always will be thine, my most dear Mother. Do thou love Jesus on my behalf, intercede for me. But alas! Oh dear Mother my heart is filled with sorrow because I have promised many times to belong to thee at every moment and yet I have been far from being faithful; my sins and my defects prevent me from fulfilling my consecration to Jesus through thee at every moment as I wish; and I see with great grief that the pitiful obstacle of my self-love has prevented that my treasure, which thou art, might bear fruits of holiness in me and for my brethren; as well as this my selfishness has caused God not to receive all the glory he should have received from me.
Moreover, most dear Mother, there is something that fills me with great sorrow: the fact of not being able to love thee as thou deserve.
For all these reasons, dear Mother, I beseech thee to direct my heart and my mind to consecrate myself this day to thy most chaste spouse St. Joseph; thou belong to me, but thou also belong to him, and in his hands I want to place thee, most dear Mother, so that I might love thee through him; console thee through him; repair the offences against thy Immaculate Heart through him; so that once I am living in his arms he may offer on my behalf all that I have given to thee, and all that I have not been able to give thee. The result being that the union of thy Immaculate Heart with the most Sacred Heart inside my soul might find its true Protector, and its best Companion, the Upholder given to thee and to Jesus by God the Father Himself; that Thou might again show that tremendous love for Jesus by loving Thy most chaste spouse St. Joseph, in thy little wretched and weak slave of love.
Oh my dear Father St. Joseph! To thee do I turn, this most glorious day, asking thee to take this thy child, a poor sinner, under the protection of thy most chaste heart, receive this day from my heart the greatest treasure I have ever received in my life; the Immaculate Heart of thy beloved spouse the Blessed Virgin Mary; God gave her to thee and imitating Him I do likewise. Take her. Love Her on my behalf.
Thy sacred bond of marriage with Mary from its essence imparts a community of gifts between both of you. I have been consecrated to Mary, and all that is mine is hers, but yours also. Together with her I give myself completely to thee, I belong to thee, for that reason, in the presence of all the heavenly court, I, n..... humbly request from that paternal charity that thou hast for Jesus and for this thy child, to accept this my immense desire.
I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of myself and of all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greatest glory of God and the greatest joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in time and in eternity.
Receive, Oh Virgin Father, this little offering of my slavery, in honor of and in union with that subjection which the Eternal Wisdom deigned to have to Mary and to thee, in homage to the power which this thy Holy Family has over this poor sinner, and in thanksgiving for the privileges with which the Holy Trinity has favored thee and thy Immaculate Spouse. I declare that I wish henceforth, as thy true slave, to seek thy honor and to obey thee in all things.
Oh Faithful Mary and Joseph, make me in all things so perfect a disciple, imitator and slave of thy Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ thy Son, that I may attain, by Thy intercession, example and protection in the bosom of thy most Holy Family, to the fullness of the age of our elder Brother Jesus Christ, on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.
VENI, CREATOR
Come, O Creator Spirit blest!
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete! To Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high!
O font of life! O fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God's hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
and make our hearts overflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee through endless times confessed
Of both the eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
AVE, MARIS STELLA
Hail, bright star of ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.
Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva's name.
Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.
Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.
Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy forevermore.
Through the highest Heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
LITANY OF THE HOLY GHOST
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us
Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us
Holy Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Holy Ghost, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us
Author of all good, have mercy on us
Source of heavenly water, have mercy on us
Consuming fire, have mercy on us
Ardent charity, have mercy on us
Spiritual unction, have mercy on us
Spirit of love and truth, have mercy on us
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, have mercy on us
Spirit of knowledge and piety, have mercy on us
Spirit of the fear of the Lord, have mercy on us
Spirit of grace and prayer, have mercy on us
Spirit of peace and meekness, have mercy on us
Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, the Comforter, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, Who governest the Church, have mercy on us
Gift of God, the Most High, have mercy on us
Spirit Who fillest the universe, have mercy on us
Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, have mercy on us
Holy Ghost, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Ghost, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Ghost, shed Thy light in our souls.
Holy Ghost, engrave Thy law in our hearts
Holy Ghost, inflame us with the flame of Thy love.
Holy Ghost, open to us the treasures of Thy graces
Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well.
Holy Ghost, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations.
Holy Ghost, lead us in the way of salvation
Holy Ghost, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Ghost, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Ghost, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Ghost, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Ghost, be Thou our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
V/. Come, Holy Ghost! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful,
R/. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
Let Us Pray
Grant, 0 merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth forever and ever. R. Amen.
THE LITANY OF SAINT JOSEPH
​
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
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 Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us .
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, etc.
Light of the patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Watchful defender of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most valiant,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of workmen ,
Glory of domestic life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the afflicted,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
V/. He made him the lord of His household,
R/. And prince over all His possessions.
Let Us Pray.
O God, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen.