K of C Altar in Tyler, Texas

Here are some photos of this year's Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Altar in Tyler, Texas. These folks made good use of Viva San Giuseppe: A Guide to St. Joseph Altars. Thanks for the pics!

Viva San Giuseppe! Viva Pope Francis!

The penitential nature of Lent makes finding inspirational family activities somewhat difficult. One bright spot in our Lenten journey is the Feast of St. Joseph. In the tradition of the St. Joseph Altars of New Orleans, we prepare our own small Altar in our dining room in honor of St. Joseph for his feast day each year.

The Altar is a medium of petition and thanksgiving. 

As with any tradition, our St. Joseph Altar has evolved and gathered life from each member of our family and each year is a bit different. Back in 1999, I began the Virtual St. Joseph Altar. A few adaptations have been made, but the Virtual Altar still offers many of the basics, not to mention a clean kitchen.

This Feast Day was an extra special day as Pope Francis was installed today. Pope Francis presented St. Joseph as a role model for us all. Read the entire homily of today's Petrine Mass.

St. Joseph is our good friend. He has answered our prayers many times and I am confident that he will continue to do so. Viva San Giuseppe!

Altar blog fest opens tomorrow!

Just a reminder that the 4th Annual Altar blog fest will open tomorrow afternoon! Join in the fest and share a blog post about your Altar. We love details and photos.

Linking will open on the afternoon of St. Joseph's Feast Day and continue through April 3.

Viva San Giuseppe!

Novena to St. Joseph Day 9

Novena to Saint Joseph:

Glorious Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession to obtain, from the benign heart of Jesus, all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and this special favour we now request . . . O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Saint Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen.

Novena Day 9
O Blessed Joseph, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear that God whom many kings longed to see and saw not; to hear and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and to guard and defend Him, come to our assistance and intercede with Him to look favorably on our present petition. . . . Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Novena to St. Joseph Day 8

Novena to Saint Joseph:

Glorious Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession to obtain, from the benign heart of Jesus, all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and this special favour we now request . . . O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Saint Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen.

Novena Day 8
O Blessed Joseph, to whom it was given not only to see and to hear that God whom many kings longed to see and saw not; to hear and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him, and to guard and defend Him, come to our assistance and intercede with Him to look favorably on our present petition. . .; Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Novena to St. Joseph Day 7

Novena to Saint Joseph:

Glorious Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession to obtain, from the benign heart of Jesus, all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and this special favour we now request . . . O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Saint Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen.

Novena Day 7
O faithful and prudent Saint Joseph, watch over our weakness and our inexperience; obtain for us that prudence which reminds us of our end, which directs our paths and which protects us from every danger. Pray for us, then, O great Saint, and by your love for Jesus and Mary, and by Their love for you, obtain for us the favour we ask in this novena . . . . Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Novena to St. Joseph Day 6

Novena to Saint Joseph:

Glorious Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession to obtain, from the benign heart of Jesus, all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and this special favour we now request . . . O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Saint Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen.

Novena Day 6
O Glorious Saint Joseph, appointed by the Eternal Father as the guardian and protector of the life of Jesus Christ, the comfort and support of His Holy Mother, and the instrument in His great design for the redemption of mankind; you who had the happiness of living with Jesus and Mary, and of dying in their arms, be moved with the confidence we place in you, and procure for us from the Almighty, the particular favour which we humbly ask through your intercession . . . . Amen. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us!