SPIRITUALITY 

Special Feast Days of the Congregation and their Liturgies

St. Joseph| Julian Tenison Woods| Mary MacKillop| Foundation Day| St. John the Baptist |Sacred Heart

While we recognize the need for continual conversion,
We celebrate the gifts of our shared life
As Sisters of St Joseph
(Constitutions p.19)

During the course of the liturgical year, Christians are called to remember and celebrate the blessings of redemption and to honour with special devotion those who are examples of fidelity to Christ and His teachings.
 

St. Joseph

St Joseph (19 March), the husband of Mary, patron of the Universal Church and of a happy death, was chosen by Julian to be patron of the Sisters of St Joseph.
 

Liturgy

Reflection

"It is not publicity that makes a person great.
So many of the greatest people who have ever lived have never hit the headlines though their influence may be stronger, more widespread and more lasting than that of the recognised famous.
This is certainly true of a man called Joseph – an ordinary man of his time, a village carpenter. In Scripture he hardly gets a mention, yet for centuries, generations of Christians have acknowledged this hidden man inspired by those special qualities traditionally attributed to him: loyalty, caring humility, justice, faithfulness, wisdom, patience, unselfishness…
Living simply in response to the Father’s call, he allowed the Kingdom to break through in his life."
(Source Unknown. Quoted from Special Celebrations: The Federation Sisters of St Joseph)

Intercession Prayers

O God as we honour St Joseph, we pray:
All our hope is in you.

In praise of Joseph we recall his loyalty:
All our hope is in you.

Joseph, with great humility, cared for Mary and Jesus:
All our hope is in you.

Joseph, with patience and unselfishness, discerned God’s will:
All our hope is in you.

Joseph remained attentive to the promptings of the Spirit in his life:
All our hope is in you.

Joseph responded with a generous heart:
All our hope is in you.




Prayers 

1. Hail Joseph, Son of David, 
Spouse of Mary and foster-father of Jesus 
St Joseph pray for us your children 
Now, and at the hour of our death Amen

2. God, Creator of All Life,
You called Joseph to care for Jesus and Mary.
As women of hope, may we, like Joseph, 
Continue to respond to God’s call
By giving ourselves in service of others
And growing in peace of heart
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.


Hymn 

Lochinvar Hymn 
Words: Sr M Gerard Long RSJ
Music: Dom Moreno OSB

Chorus: Holy Joseph, guard and guide us;
Make thy children all thine own.
Dearest patron, lead and guide us
To our King’s eternal throne