Well, now. I'm not gonna lie. I was not expecting that kind of response to my invitation yesterday. I thought maybe there'd be five or six people who would join in. A small little prayer circle. And that would have been awesome.
But instead I have 62 names written down that were given to me personally and the post has been shared countless times with a whole bunch more people saying they will be joining in.
Praise God.
I'm so glad. I hope and pray that it will be fruitful for all of our men, for us, and for our families. God wants to bless each of our husbands and families so very much. What a gift for them when we as women can unite with each other to pray for them. The strength of that I don't think we can comprehend here on earth. I can't wait to see what God wants to do with this.
This doesn't usually happen but I was struck with the thought yesterday to remind people to be on guard. When we open ourselves up to this grace and especially when it's in a selfless way for the good of these men and when we are banded together to do it, there is someone who is not gonna be happy. Even when it's something simple like this. He will do his best to prevent it, to make you resentful, to tempt us to keep score (he's never prayed something like this for ME. Hmmph.), to throw in some stressful situations, to highlight all the imperfections of our spouse, and tempt us to give up. But the first step is realizing that if this is a battle then we just entered the firing zone. He goes after those seeking something better. Seeking holiness. The more good he thinks it will do, the more he will fight it. Aaand I hope that motivates you rather than discourages you ;)
Also, don't forget the power of fasting for these men. After all, our Lord Himself reminds us that some transformations can only take place with prayer and fasting.
All right, ladies, let's do this.
I won't post a reminder every day. I'm pretty sure you all can handle remembering without me nagging you :) But the devotion for each day can be found here. And at the end of the devotion is this prayer:
Novena Prayer
Saint Joseph, I, your unworthy child, greet you. You are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have special confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I place all my hope of salvation in you, for you are especially powerful with God and will never abandon your faithful servants. Therefore I humbly invoke you and commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may merit to die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
(Mention your request).
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers in my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen.
Memorare
Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, Saint Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen.
Please let me know if you'd like me to add a name to my super fancy list!
Please add Jon. Thanks, Mary (and you have lovely penmanship. :))
ReplyDeletePlease add Kyle. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePlease add Paul. And the link to the prayer isn't working for me, and wasn't yesterday, either. Must be just me? I'm assuming if I Google "Novena to St. Joseph" I'll find the right one...
ReplyDeleteHmm...it seems to work for me. Sorry about that! The address is: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/joseph.htm
DeleteThank you! And that cake is awesome, you have some skills!
DeleteWe started praying this last night!! I have to admit that's it's a little because I want this baby to come on St. Joseph's Day :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be the best! Joseph? Josephine?? (Love Josephine!)
DeleteI am so glad we named our Joey, Joseph and I TOTALLY didn't want to at first. His saintly protection (Joseph MIchael) is something I delight in like whoa!
DeletePlease add my husband Paul. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePlease add Andrew. Thank you for this encouragement!
ReplyDeleteMy husband Zeb, I started the novena 4 days ago and will continue through St Joseph's feast day. I will also remember to mention the husbands on your list as well. God Bless,
ReplyDeleteSharon
I will be praying for all these husband's as well as a couple of single brothers-in-law. :) Please add my husband, Chris, to your list. Thanks, Mary! Such a blessing to unite in prayer though across the country!
ReplyDeleteYour handwriting is impeccable. Just needed to say that.
ReplyDelete^^Yes! Your handwriting is beautiful - making the list uber fancy! :) Also, I forgot to mention my husband's name in my last comment - please add, Troy.
DeleteHa! Many thanks to Miss Cichon and Mrs. Gehring who drilled it into me in grade school. But don't look too close :)
DeleteCount me in! What a wonderful idea! I'll be praying especially for my husband Dave and my brother Jim.
ReplyDeletePlease add my husband Matt. Thanks!
ReplyDelete+ Hi Mary, my husband is Fr. Francis, a Byzantine priest. I'd love to be added to the list. I am praying along with you, although without the meditations, as baby #6 is (over)due any time now. I don't have a facebook account, so I can't sign up there. Thanks for the inspiration! God bless you!
ReplyDeletePlease add Bill
ReplyDeleteYes, please add my husband (Gary) and father (Matias).
ReplyDeleteMy friend shared this, I'd love to add my husband Seth. Thank you!!
ReplyDeletePlease add my husband Jim and my father Stan. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! Please add my husband, Rob. While I'm at it, I will pray also for my Dad and Stepdad, Richard and Mike. God Bless you!
ReplyDeleteI'm joining in - please add Jim.
ReplyDeleteYes. Please add my husband Tavis and my brother in law Nate and my cousin Michael.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! Thanks for doing this. I have another Paul for you to add to your list, please. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! You can add Will to your list :)
ReplyDeletePlease add Jason.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePlease add to your list Michael. I am praying this for my father. I started a different novena to St. Joseph for him yesterday, completely unaware that St. Joseph's feast was exactly 9 days away, or that you were doing this. I know this is no coincidence. I am now praying both novenas at once for him, and I firmly believe God is going to work great good of this. Thank you very much!
ReplyDeletePlease add Dominic... thanks so much :)
ReplyDelete