Cardinal Sarah's Revelation: Why Sleeping With a Rosary Invites a Cascad...

 First Saturdays – 5 Days that change the world! Meditation for May First Saturday 2026 Monthly First Saturdays of Reparation May 2nd 2026 – Eastertide & month dedicated to Our Blessed Lady 1st Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matthew 28 v1-6 Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightening, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you.” Some thoughts from a spiritual father of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri The risen Lord is victorious and has proved that man, together with Him, can have power over sin and therefore death. But do we appreciate this? So often we waste or undervalue such supernatural Graces. The Lord, helps to raise us up, as he delivers us from sin, from evil. The darkness of the world hinders us no more. The glory of the Resurrection splits the darkness like dawn breaking over a world that thought night would never end. The tomb is empty, death is defeated, and the Victorious One walks among us with wounds that shine like beacons of hope. In a world weary with war, sorrow, lukewarm Christians and sin, Christ’s rising means despair does not have the last word. And beside the Risen Lord stands Our Blessed Lady, the Mother of the Victorious One. She who kept her heart pierced yet unbroken, now rejoices with a joy no man can take from her. If we look to her, we learn how to wait in darkness and still believe in the light. She teaches us to stand at the foot of every cross knowing that the third day always comes. Her fiat is seen at the Resurrection: the Lord has done great things, mercy is from age to age, and His victory is ours. So take heart. Christ is risen, and because He is, no shadow is final. With Our Lady, let us be people of Easter carrying hope into every corner that still feels like Good Friday. Some reflective questions from a Sister of Mary Morning Star Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me… (John 14) As we enter our 5th Easter week and receive these words of encouragement directly from Our Risen Lord, what can I do this week/this month to surrender more concretely my life and worries to the Good Shepherd? Is my time consecrated to prayer sufficient? Am I receiving His words just as words or as a life-changing message addressed directly to me and not only to everyone else…? “Do whatever He tells you”… at Cana Our Lady gave us this wise advice. As we enter the Month dedicated to Her and as we prepare to celebrate Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th May, how can I live more like Her and do whatever He tells me? Am I praying my Rosary faithfully? Am I praying it wholeheartedly or more like “a duty”? Am I preparing a crowning for her or joining one prepared in my parish…? Have I really taken Our Lady “into my home”? Is she helping me to be a witness of love, hope, peace and joy? (The 15 minute Meditation is integral to the full practice of the First Saturdays! It cannot be left out!) I hope that these Meditations are helpful to your practice of the First Saturdays? Please give some feed back … as I am wondering whether to continue each month? United in prayer for the peace of the world and the salvation of souls. Antonia Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of Sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thy Immaculate Heart. We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life: all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts, and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families and our country. We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee and may share in the benefits of thy motherly blessing. And, that this act of consecration may be truly fruitful and lasting, we renew this day at thy feet the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation. We pledge ourselves to profess courageously and at all times the truths of our holy Faith, and to live as befits Catholics, who are submissive to all directions of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. We pledge ourselves to keep the Commandments of God and His Church, in particular to keep holy the Lord’s Day. We pledge ourselves to make the consoling practices of the Christian religion, and above all, Holy Communion, an important part of our lives, in so far as we shall be able to do. Finally, we promise thee, O glorious Mother of God and loving Mother of all, to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the spreading of devotion to thy Immaculate Heart, in order to hasten and assure, through the queenly rule of thy Immaculate Heart, the coming of the kingdom of the Sacred Heart of thy adorable Son, in our own hearts and in those of all people, in our country, and in all the world, as in Heaven, so on earth. Amen. Den 1 maj 2026, fredag Josef arbetaren Läsningar: 1 Mos 1:26-2:3, Ps 90, Matt 13:54-58 Länkar: * Breviar (norsk) – Tidebønnene * Breviary (english) – The Divine Office * Brewiarz (polski) – Liturgia Godzin * Brevijar (hrvatski) – Božanski časoslov * Brevier (deutsch) – Stundengebet * Breviaire (français) – Liturgie des Heures * Breviárium (magyarul) – Az Imaórák Liturgiája The Seven Joys of Saint Joseph represent a cherished Catholic devotion that invites the faithful to meditate on the hidden yet profound happiness experienced by the earthly father of Jesus amid the trials of his vocation. Through these joys, the faithful contemplate the virtues of obedience, humility, and paternal love that defined Joseph’s life as the chaste spouse of Mary and Guardian of the Redeemer. The first joy came when an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, resolving his anguish over Mary’s mysterious pregnancy by revealing the divine mystery of the Incarnation. This moment transformed doubt into awe, affirming Joseph’s role in the greatest story of salvation and filling him with the certainty of God’s plan. His second joy shone at the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. Though the stable offered only poverty and discomfort, Joseph rejoiced to behold the newborn Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, cradled in the manger. Angels sang and shepherds arrived, yet his quiet joy centered on caring for the infant God and His mother in that humble setting. The third joy arrived with the naming and circumcision of the Child. As the head of the Holy Family, Joseph bestowed the name Jesus, meaning ”God saves,” in obedience to the angel’s command. This act symbolized his legal fatherhood and participation in the child’s mission of redemption, blending ritual duty with paternal pride. Fourth came the joy of witnessing the effects of redemption foretold by Simeon in the Temple. While the prophecy foretold sorrow for Mary, Joseph found consolation in knowing that the Child would bring light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel, realizing the broader purpose of their sacrifices. The fifth joy occurred during the flight into Egypt, when the Holy Family escaped Herod’s wrath. In a foreign land, Joseph saw idols fall before the presence of the true God made flesh, a sign of Christ’s triumph over pagan powers and a source of deep spiritual satisfaction for the protector of the family. Sixth was the everyday joy of the hidden years in Nazareth. Joseph savored the simple rhythms of family life, working as a carpenter while living in intimate union with Jesus and Mary. These years offered the profound contentment of watching the child grow in wisdom and stature under his guidance. The seventh and final joy came when Joseph and Mary found the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple after three days of searching. Though anxiety had marked the loss, reunion brought relief and wonder as they heard the boy speak of His Father’s business, deepening Joseph’s understanding of the divine Son entrusted to him. Together, these joys illuminate how Saint Joseph’s faithfulness turned potential hardships into occasions of grace. Devotees often recite prayers honoring them to seek his intercession for a holy life and peaceful death. In an age of uncertainty, the seven joys remind us that true happiness flows from surrender to God’s will, just as it did for the silent carpenter of Nazareth who raised the Son of God. https://x.com/Life_truthway/status/2050199883785900057?s=20 The Miracle Prayer Lord, Jesus, I come before You, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give You my entire self. Lord Jesus, now and forever, I invite You into my life Jesus. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit. Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I love You, Jesus. I praise You, Jesus. I thank You, Jesus. I shall follow You every day of my life. Amen. The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a devotion that contemplates the profound suffering endured by the Virgin Mary throughout her life in union with the redemptive mission of her Son, Jesus Christ. This spiritual practice, also known as the Dolors of Mary, invites the faithful to meditate on her sorrows as a model of patient endurance, compassion, and fidelity amid trial. Rooted in Sacred Scripture and early Church tradition, the devotion gained particular prominence in the Middle Ages and was formalized through the Servite Order in the thirteenth century. It encourages believers to unite their own sufferings with those of Jesus and Mary, fostering deeper spiritual growth. The first sorrow centers on the prophecy of Simeon, when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Temple. Simeon foretold that the Child would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would pierce Mary’s own soul, revealing the future anguish she would bear as her Son’s mission unfolded. The second sorrow encompasses the flight into Egypt, during which the Holy Family fled Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Mary endured the uncertainty and hardship of exile to protect her Child from mortal danger. The third sorrow arises from the loss of the twelve-year-old Jesus in Jerusalem. For three days, Mary and Joseph searched anxiously for Him, experiencing the desolation of separation before finding Him teaching in the Temple. The fourth sorrow depicts Mary’s encounter with Jesus as He carried His cross to Calvary. Witnessing her Son’s physical torment and public humiliation intensified her maternal grief. The fifth and most acute sorrow is the crucifixion itself, where Mary stood at the foot of the cross, sharing intimately in the agony of Jesus’ death. The sixth sorrow follows with the piercing of Jesus’ side after His death and the subsequent removal of His body from the cross. Holding her lifeless Son in her arms, known as the Pietà, represented the culmination of her physical and emotional suffering. Finally, the seventh sorrow involves the burial of Jesus, as Mary relinquished His body to the tomb, confronting the finality of separation while trusting in the promise of resurrection. Devotees often pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows or meditate on them during Lent and on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, observed on September 15. This reflection not only honors Mary’s unique participation in salvation history but also offers consolation to those facing personal trials, reminding them that suffering, when united to Jesus Christ, bears fruit in hope and eternal life. The Month of Mary 1. It is often said that May is the most beautiful month of the year. The flowers are in full bloom, the weather is mild, and the first fruits of the soil are beginning to reward man’s labour. It is fitting that we should dedicate to Mary the most beautiful month of the year, for she is the most beautiful of God’s creatures. We should offer this month to Mary by increasing our love for her. We should love her with a filial love, for she loves us with the heart of a mother. If we contemplate her beauty and goodness, we shall be inflamed with love for her. It will be a tender love such as we have for our earthly mother, and at the same time a respectful and worshipful love such as we ought to have for the Mother of God. Our offering of the month of May to Mary should result in a twofold resolution:—the resolution to make good our failings and to advance in holiness. This is the only way in which we can prove the sincerity of our affection, by deeds rather than by words. It is certain that we have many faults of character. Let us examine ourselves in front of Our Lady’s altar by comparing our weakness with her magnificence of soul. When we have discovered our failings, let us be courageous in eradicating them. We can offer this sacrifice to Mary with love and generosity, no matter how hard it may be. We can spend every day of this month digging out those weeds in the garden of our soul, which our passions and the influence of the devil have helped to flourish. Let us plant and bring to perfection in their place the flowers of Christian virtue. In this way we shall make the month of May very pleasing to Mary. 2. This work of eradicating our faults and replacing them by their opposite virtues is a difficult task which we cannot carry out on our own. Prayer is necessary if we are to obtain the grace which we need. During Mary’s month we should beseech our heavenly Mother with greater earnestness to obtain for us from her divine Son the grace which we need to correct the evil in our nature and to perfect it in goodness. Mary wants us to pray to her because she wishes to obtain for us the graces which we require. She loves us very much and is ready to help us to become, like her, living imitations of Jesus in so far as the weakness of our nature will permit. Among our other prayers let us remember to give pride of place to the Rosary, whether we recite it in church or with the family. Let us include at least a quarter of an hour of meditation; a daily visit, however short, to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady’s altar; an examination of conscience in the evening; and many ejaculatory prayers during the day which will express our love for Mary and for her divine Son. 3. Holy Mary, my most tender Mother, I love you and desire to love you more and more. I realise that I am spiritually poor and imperfect. You who are close to the all-powerful God, please help me by your favour and intercession. I know that Jesus will grant everything you ask of Him. Obtain for me, therefore, during this month, the grace to eradicate all my vices and to cause to flourish in my soul all the virtues of which I stand in need. Set my heart on fire with the love of God and help me to grow more and more like you and like your divine Son. Amen. (Antonio Cardinal Bacci) S:t Josef F. Gustav Ahlman F. Gustav Ahlman • Mar 19, 2026 Fader Gustavs predikningar View original Subscribed S:t Josef – featured image Mässa i Kristus Konungens kyrka, Göteborg. Läsningar: 2 Sam 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2–5, 27, 29; Rom 4:13, 16–18, 22; Luk 2:41–51a. Kära bröder och systrar Den helige Josef som vi firar idag är förmodligen det nästa största helgonet som någonsin funnits efter hans egen brud, den saliga jungfrun Maria. Förvisso för han en mycket tillbakadragen tillvaro i evangelierna, som inte har bevarat ett enda ord som han har yttrat. Men Matteusevangeliet konstaterar kort och gott att han var ”rättfärdig”. Och i läsningen ur Lukasevangeliet som vi nyss hörde kallar Jungfru Maria honom för Jesu ”far”. Läsningen slutade med att konstatera att Jesus lydde sina föräldrar, Josef och Maria, i allt. Det säger sig självt att uppdraget att vara mänsklig far åt Guds egen Son samt brudgum och beskyddare för Guds Moder, det övergår all mänsklig förmåga. Därför kan vi utgå från att den helige Josef måste har fått oerhört många nådegåvor från Gud för att kunna fullgöra detta uppdrag. Den slutsatsen drar i alla fall den helige Bernardino av Siena i en predikan som läses i dagens läsningsgudstjänst: ”När Gud i sin godhet utser någon till en särskild nåd eller till en särskilt hög uppgift, då ger han alltid de nådegåvor som en så utvald person behöver och en sådan uppgift kräver. (…) Detta har i alla avseenden bekräftats i fråga om den helige Josef, ansedd som far till vår Herre Jesus Kristus och sann brudgum åt världens drottning och änglarnas härskarinna.” Utöver den helige Bernardino på 1300-talet har även den helige Teresa av Avila på 1500-talet bidragit mycket till att utveckla och sprida andakten till den helige Josef. I hennes självbiografi ”Boken om mitt liv” skriver hon: ”Jag tog den ärorike Sankt Josef till min förespråkare och herre och anbefallde mig mycket åt honom. (…) Jag kan inte minnas att jag någonsin bett honom om något som han inte har utverkat. Det är förunderligt vilka stora nådegåvor Gud har gett mig genom detta saliga helgon, och från vilka faror han har befriat mig, både till kropp och själ. Det tycks som om Herren åt andra helgon har gett nåd att hjälpa i någon särskild nöd; men av detta ärorika helgon har jag erfarenhet att han hjälper i allt. Och Herren vill få oss att förstå att liksom han var honom underdånig på jorden – då han bar namnet fader och var hans uppfostrare och därför kunde befalla honom – så gör han i himlen allt vad han ber om.” Den helige Josef är alltså precis som den saliga jungfrun Maria ett ”universalhelgon” som man med fördel kan åkalla i alla situationer. Och logiken är enkel: Eftersom Bibeln uttryckligen säger att Jesus lydde sina föräldrar, Josef och Maria i allt under hela sin uppväxt i Nasaret, så är det rimligt att han i någon form fortsätter att lyda dem även nu när de är i himlen, genom att alltid bönhöra dem. Eftersom Josef var överhuvud för den heliga familjen, som utgjorde fröet till Kyrkan, så utsåg påven Pius IX honom även år 1870 som skyddspatron för hela den Katolska Kyrkan. På 150-årsdagen av denna utnämning publicerade påven Franciskus det apostoliska brevet Patris corde, ”Med en faders hjärta”, där han delade med sig av ”några personliga erfarenheter av denne extraordinära gestalt”. Påven beskriver där den helige Josef som en älskad fader, i patriarken Josefs efterföljd, och likaledes som en älskande fader, som lärde Jesus att gå, höll honom ömt i sin famn och gav honom mat. Josef var även en lydig fader, som utan att tveka gjorde Guds vilja som uppenbarades för honom i drömmar, och en modig fader som skyddade den heliga familjen undan faror, inte minst genom att fly till Egypten för att undkomma kung Herodes. Den helige Josef är också en arbetande fader, som försörjde den heliga familjen såsom snickare eller hantverkare, och till följd av detta instiftade påven Pius XII år 1955 den helige Josef arbetarens minnesdag på arbetarrörelsens internationella högtidsdag den 1 maj. Slutligen beskriver påven Franciskus Josef som en fader i skuggorna, eftersom han var den jordiska skuggan av den himmelske Fadern. Den helige Josef är på ett särskilt sätt en förebild för alla fäder, inklusive alla andliga fäder såsom biskopar och präster, som liksom Josef själv inte har några egna biologiska barn, men som inte är mindre fäder för det. Av den helige Josef kan alla fäder lära sig att älska med en kysk kärlek, som inte söker att äga dem som anförtrotts åt dem utan utge sig själva för dem, precis som Josef bara levde för Jesus och Maria, och i skuggan av dem. Låt oss därför be om den helige Josefs förbön för oss själva och för hela Kyrkan, att vi genom att se på Josef kan ana någonting om hurdan vår himmelske Fader är, och lära oss att liksom Jesus vara både vår Fader i himmelen och vår fader Josef lydiga i allt. Och låt oss särskilt be om Josefs förbön för alla fäder, såväl kroppsliga som andliga, att de kan älska alla sina barn med en ren kärlek och uppfostra dem till att bli lika Kristus, såsom bröder och systrar till honom. Amen. Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary Print Download PDF Introduction This prayer to Saint Joseph—spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church—was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam pluries. He asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary, especially during the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary. Enriched with a partial indulgence (Handbook of Indulgences, conc. 19), this prayer may be said after the customary Salve Regina and concluding prayer, and may also be used to conclude other Marian devotions. Prayer to Saint Joseph To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness. As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen. First Saturdays – 5 Days that change the world! Meditation for May First Saturday 2026 Monthly First Saturdays of Reparation May 2nd 2026 – Eastertide & month dedicated to Our Blessed Lady 1st Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matthew 28 v1-6 Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightening, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I have told you.” Some thoughts from a spiritual father of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri The risen Lord is victorious and has proved that man, together with Him, can have power over sin and therefore death. But do we appreciate this? So often we waste or undervalue such supernatural Graces. The Lord, helps to raise us up, as he delivers us from sin, from evil. The darkness of the world hinders us no more. The glory of the Resurrection splits the darkness like dawn breaking over a world that thought night would never end. The tomb is empty, death is defeated, and the Victorious One walks among us with wounds that shine like beacons of hope. In a world weary with war, sorrow, lukewarm Christians and sin, Christ’s rising means despair does not have the last word. And beside the Risen Lord stands Our Blessed Lady, the Mother of the Victorious One. She who kept her heart pierced yet unbroken, now rejoices with a joy no man can take from her. If we look to her, we learn how to wait in darkness and still believe in the light. She teaches us to stand at the foot of every cross knowing that the third day always comes. Her fiat is seen at the Resurrection: the Lord has done great things, mercy is from age to age, and His victory is ours. So take heart. Christ is risen, and because He is, no shadow is final. With Our Lady, let us be people of Easter carrying hope into every corner that still feels like Good Friday. Some reflective questions from a Sister of Mary Morning Star Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me… (John 14) As we enter our 5th Easter week and receive these words of encouragement directly from Our Risen Lord, what can I do this week/this month to surrender more concretely my life and worries to the Good Shepherd? Is my time consecrated to prayer sufficient? Am I receiving His words just as words or as a life-changing message addressed directly to me and not only to everyone else…? “Do whatever He tells you”… at Cana Our Lady gave us this wise advice. As we enter the Month dedicated to Her and as we prepare to celebrate Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th May, how can I live more like Her and do whatever He tells me? Am I praying my Rosary faithfully? Am I praying it wholeheartedly or more like “a duty”? Am I preparing a crowning for her or joining one prepared in my parish…? Have I really taken Our Lady “into my home”? Is she helping me to be a witness of love, hope, peace and joy? (The 15 minute Meditation is integral to the full practice of the First Saturdays! It cannot be left out!) I hope that these Meditations are helpful to your practice of the First Saturdays? Please give some feed back … as I am wondering whether to continue each month? United in prayer for the peace of the world and the salvation of souls. Antonia Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of Sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thy Immaculate Heart. We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life: all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts, and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families and our country. We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee and may share in the benefits of thy motherly blessing. And, that this act of consecration may be truly fruitful and lasting, we renew this day at thy feet the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation. We pledge ourselves to profess courageously and at all times the truths of our holy Faith, and to live as befits Catholics, who are submissive to all directions of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. We pledge ourselves to keep the Commandments of God and His Church, in particular to keep holy the Lord’s Day. We pledge ourselves to make the consoling practices of the Christian religion, and above all, Holy Communion, an important part of our lives, in so far as we shall be able to do. Finally, we promise thee, O glorious Mother of God and loving Mother of all, to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the spreading of devotion to thy Immaculate Heart, in order to hasten and assure, through the queenly rule of thy Immaculate Heart, the coming of the kingdom of the Sacred Heart of thy adorable Son, in our own hearts and in those of all people, in our country, and in all the world, as in Heaven, so on earth. Amen. Den 1 maj 2026, fredag Josef arbetaren Läsningar: 1 Mos 1:26-2:3, Ps 90, Matt 13:54-58 Länkar: * Breviar (norsk) – Tidebønnene * Breviary (english) – The Divine Office * Brewiarz (polski) – Liturgia Godzin * Brevijar (hrvatski) – Božanski časoslov * Brevier (deutsch) – Stundengebet * Breviaire (français) – Liturgie des Heures * Breviárium (magyarul) – Az Imaórák Liturgiája The Seven Joys of Saint Joseph represent a cherished Catholic devotion that invites the faithful to meditate on the hidden yet profound happiness experienced by the earthly father of Jesus amid the trials of his vocation. Through these joys, the faithful contemplate the virtues of obedience, humility, and paternal love that defined Joseph’s life as the chaste spouse of Mary and Guardian of the Redeemer. The first joy came when an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, resolving his anguish over Mary’s mysterious pregnancy by revealing the divine mystery of the Incarnation. This moment transformed doubt into awe, affirming Joseph’s role in the greatest story of salvation and filling him with the certainty of God’s plan. His second joy shone at the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. Though the stable offered only poverty and discomfort, Joseph rejoiced to behold the newborn Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, cradled in the manger. Angels sang and shepherds arrived, yet his quiet joy centered on caring for the infant God and His mother in that humble setting. The third joy arrived with the naming and circumcision of the Child. As the head of the Holy Family, Joseph bestowed the name Jesus, meaning ”God saves,” in obedience to the angel’s command. This act symbolized his legal fatherhood and participation in the child’s mission of redemption, blending ritual duty with paternal pride. Fourth came the joy of witnessing the effects of redemption foretold by Simeon in the Temple. While the prophecy foretold sorrow for Mary, Joseph found consolation in knowing that the Child would bring light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel, realizing the broader purpose of their sacrifices. The fifth joy occurred during the flight into Egypt, when the Holy Family escaped Herod’s wrath. In a foreign land, Joseph saw idols fall before the presence of the true God made flesh, a sign of Christ’s triumph over pagan powers and a source of deep spiritual satisfaction for the protector of the family. Sixth was the everyday joy of the hidden years in Nazareth. Joseph savored the simple rhythms of family life, working as a carpenter while living in intimate union with Jesus and Mary. These years offered the profound contentment of watching the child grow in wisdom and stature under his guidance. The seventh and final joy came when Joseph and Mary found the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple after three days of searching. Though anxiety had marked the loss, reunion brought relief and wonder as they heard the boy speak of His Father’s business, deepening Joseph’s understanding of the divine Son entrusted to him. Together, these joys illuminate how Saint Joseph’s faithfulness turned potential hardships into occasions of grace. Devotees often recite prayers honoring them to seek his intercession for a holy life and peaceful death. In an age of uncertainty, the seven joys remind us that true happiness flows from surrender to God’s will, just as it did for the silent carpenter of Nazareth who raised the Son of God. https://x.com/Life_truthway/status/2050199883785900057?s=20 The Miracle Prayer Lord, Jesus, I come before You, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In Your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give You my entire self. Lord Jesus, now and forever, I invite You into my life Jesus. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit. Come Lord Jesus, cover me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I love You, Jesus. I praise You, Jesus. I thank You, Jesus. I shall follow You every day of my life. Amen. The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a devotion that contemplates the profound suffering endured by the Virgin Mary throughout her life in union with the redemptive mission of her Son, Jesus Christ. This spiritual practice, also known as the Dolors of Mary, invites the faithful to meditate on her sorrows as a model of patient endurance, compassion, and fidelity amid trial. Rooted in Sacred Scripture and early Church tradition, the devotion gained particular prominence in the Middle Ages and was formalized through the Servite Order in the thirteenth century. It encourages believers to unite their own sufferings with those of Jesus and Mary, fostering deeper spiritual growth. The first sorrow centers on the prophecy of Simeon, when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Temple. Simeon foretold that the Child would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would pierce Mary’s own soul, revealing the future anguish she would bear as her Son’s mission unfolded. The second sorrow encompasses the flight into Egypt, during which the Holy Family fled Herod’s massacre of the innocents. Mary endured the uncertainty and hardship of exile to protect her Child from mortal danger. The third sorrow arises from the loss of the twelve-year-old Jesus in Jerusalem. For three days, Mary and Joseph searched anxiously for Him, experiencing the desolation of separation before finding Him teaching in the Temple. The fourth sorrow depicts Mary’s encounter with Jesus as He carried His cross to Calvary. Witnessing her Son’s physical torment and public humiliation intensified her maternal grief. The fifth and most acute sorrow is the crucifixion itself, where Mary stood at the foot of the cross, sharing intimately in the agony of Jesus’ death. The sixth sorrow follows with the piercing of Jesus’ side after His death and the subsequent removal of His body from the cross. Holding her lifeless Son in her arms, known as the Pietà, represented the culmination of her physical and emotional suffering. Finally, the seventh sorrow involves the burial of Jesus, as Mary relinquished His body to the tomb, confronting the finality of separation while trusting in the promise of resurrection. Devotees often pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows or meditate on them during Lent and on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, observed on September 15. This reflection not only honors Mary’s unique participation in salvation history but also offers consolation to those facing personal trials, reminding them that suffering, when united to Jesus Christ, bears fruit in hope and eternal life. The Month of Mary 1. It is often said that May is the most beautiful month of the year. The flowers are in full bloom, the weather is mild, and the first fruits of the soil are beginning to reward man’s labour. It is fitting that we should dedicate to Mary the most beautiful month of the year, for she is the most beautiful of God’s creatures. We should offer this month to Mary by increasing our love for her. We should love her with a filial love, for she loves us with the heart of a mother. If we contemplate her beauty and goodness, we shall be inflamed with love for her. It will be a tender love such as we have for our earthly mother, and at the same time a respectful and worshipful love such as we ought to have for the Mother of God. Our offering of the month of May to Mary should result in a twofold resolution:—the resolution to make good our failings and to advance in holiness. This is the only way in which we can prove the sincerity of our affection, by deeds rather than by words. It is certain that we have many faults of character. Let us examine ourselves in front of Our Lady’s altar by comparing our weakness with her magnificence of soul. When we have discovered our failings, let us be courageous in eradicating them. We can offer this sacrifice to Mary with love and generosity, no matter how hard it may be. We can spend every day of this month digging out those weeds in the garden of our soul, which our passions and the influence of the devil have helped to flourish. Let us plant and bring to perfection in their place the flowers of Christian virtue. In this way we shall make the month of May very pleasing to Mary. 2. This work of eradicating our faults and replacing them by their opposite virtues is a difficult task which we cannot carry out on our own. Prayer is necessary if we are to obtain the grace which we need. During Mary’s month we should beseech our heavenly Mother with greater earnestness to obtain for us from her divine Son the grace which we need to correct the evil in our nature and to perfect it in goodness. Mary wants us to pray to her because she wishes to obtain for us the graces which we require. She loves us very much and is ready to help us to become, like her, living imitations of Jesus in so far as the weakness of our nature will permit. Among our other prayers let us remember to give pride of place to the Rosary, whether we recite it in church or with the family. Let us include at least a quarter of an hour of meditation; a daily visit, however short, to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady’s altar; an examination of conscience in the evening; and many ejaculatory prayers during the day which will express our love for Mary and for her divine Son. 3. Holy Mary, my most tender Mother, I love you and desire to love you more and more. I realise that I am spiritually poor and imperfect. You who are close to the all-powerful God, please help me by your favour and intercession. I know that Jesus will grant everything you ask of Him. Obtain for me, therefore, during this month, the grace to eradicate all my vices and to cause to flourish in my soul all the virtues of which I stand in need. Set my heart on fire with the love of God and help me to grow more and more like you and like your divine Son. Amen. (Antonio Cardinal Bacci) S:t Josef F. Gustav Ahlman F. Gustav Ahlman • Mar 19, 2026 Fader Gustavs predikningar View original Subscribed S:t Josef – featured image Mässa i Kristus Konungens kyrka, Göteborg. Läsningar: 2 Sam 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2–5, 27, 29; Rom 4:13, 16–18, 22; Luk 2:41–51a. Kära bröder och systrar Den helige Josef som vi firar idag är förmodligen det nästa största helgonet som någonsin funnits efter hans egen brud, den saliga jungfrun Maria. Förvisso för han en mycket tillbakadragen tillvaro i evangelierna, som inte har bevarat ett enda ord som han har yttrat. Men Matteusevangeliet konstaterar kort och gott att han var ”rättfärdig”. Och i läsningen ur Lukasevangeliet som vi nyss hörde kallar Jungfru Maria honom för Jesu ”far”. Läsningen slutade med att konstatera att Jesus lydde sina föräldrar, Josef och Maria, i allt. Det säger sig självt att uppdraget att vara mänsklig far åt Guds egen Son samt brudgum och beskyddare för Guds Moder, det övergår all mänsklig förmåga. Därför kan vi utgå från att den helige Josef måste har fått oerhört många nådegåvor från Gud för att kunna fullgöra detta uppdrag. Den slutsatsen drar i alla fall den helige Bernardino av Siena i en predikan som läses i dagens läsningsgudstjänst: ”När Gud i sin godhet utser någon till en särskild nåd eller till en särskilt hög uppgift, då ger han alltid de nådegåvor som en så utvald person behöver och en sådan uppgift kräver. (…) Detta har i alla avseenden bekräftats i fråga om den helige Josef, ansedd som far till vår Herre Jesus Kristus och sann brudgum åt världens drottning och änglarnas härskarinna.” Utöver den helige Bernardino på 1300-talet har även den helige Teresa av Avila på 1500-talet bidragit mycket till att utveckla och sprida andakten till den helige Josef. I hennes självbiografi ”Boken om mitt liv” skriver hon: ”Jag tog den ärorike Sankt Josef till min förespråkare och herre och anbefallde mig mycket åt honom. (…) Jag kan inte minnas att jag någonsin bett honom om något som han inte har utverkat. Det är förunderligt vilka stora nådegåvor Gud har gett mig genom detta saliga helgon, och från vilka faror han har befriat mig, både till kropp och själ. Det tycks som om Herren åt andra helgon har gett nåd att hjälpa i någon särskild nöd; men av detta ärorika helgon har jag erfarenhet att han hjälper i allt. Och Herren vill få oss att förstå att liksom han var honom underdånig på jorden – då han bar namnet fader och var hans uppfostrare och därför kunde befalla honom – så gör han i himlen allt vad han ber om.” Den helige Josef är alltså precis som den saliga jungfrun Maria ett ”universalhelgon” som man med fördel kan åkalla i alla situationer. Och logiken är enkel: Eftersom Bibeln uttryckligen säger att Jesus lydde sina föräldrar, Josef och Maria i allt under hela sin uppväxt i Nasaret, så är det rimligt att han i någon form fortsätter att lyda dem även nu när de är i himlen, genom att alltid bönhöra dem. Eftersom Josef var överhuvud för den heliga familjen, som utgjorde fröet till Kyrkan, så utsåg påven Pius IX honom även år 1870 som skyddspatron för hela den Katolska Kyrkan. På 150-årsdagen av denna utnämning publicerade påven Franciskus det apostoliska brevet Patris corde, ”Med en faders hjärta”, där han delade med sig av ”några personliga erfarenheter av denne extraordinära gestalt”. Påven beskriver där den helige Josef som en älskad fader, i patriarken Josefs efterföljd, och likaledes som en älskande fader, som lärde Jesus att gå, höll honom ömt i sin famn och gav honom mat. Josef var även en lydig fader, som utan att tveka gjorde Guds vilja som uppenbarades för honom i drömmar, och en modig fader som skyddade den heliga familjen undan faror, inte minst genom att fly till Egypten för att undkomma kung Herodes. Den helige Josef är också en arbetande fader, som försörjde den heliga familjen såsom snickare eller hantverkare, och till följd av detta instiftade påven Pius XII år 1955 den helige Josef arbetarens minnesdag på arbetarrörelsens internationella högtidsdag den 1 maj. Slutligen beskriver påven Franciskus Josef som en fader i skuggorna, eftersom han var den jordiska skuggan av den himmelske Fadern. Den helige Josef är på ett särskilt sätt en förebild för alla fäder, inklusive alla andliga fäder såsom biskopar och präster, som liksom Josef själv inte har några egna biologiska barn, men som inte är mindre fäder för det. Av den helige Josef kan alla fäder lära sig att älska med en kysk kärlek, som inte söker att äga dem som anförtrotts åt dem utan utge sig själva för dem, precis som Josef bara levde för Jesus och Maria, och i skuggan av dem. Låt oss därför be om den helige Josefs förbön för oss själva och för hela Kyrkan, att vi genom att se på Josef kan ana någonting om hurdan vår himmelske Fader är, och lära oss att liksom Jesus vara både vår Fader i himmelen och vår fader Josef lydiga i allt. Och låt oss särskilt be om Josefs förbön för alla fäder, såväl kroppsliga som andliga, att de kan älska alla sina barn med en ren kärlek och uppfostra dem till att bli lika Kristus, såsom bröder och systrar till honom. Amen. Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary Print Download PDF Introduction This prayer to Saint Joseph—spouse of the Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus, and patron saint of the universal Church—was composed by Pope Leo XIII in his 1889 encyclical, Quamquam pluries. He asked that it be added to the end of the Rosary, especially during the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary. Enriched with a partial indulgence (Handbook of Indulgences, conc. 19), this prayer may be said after the customary Salve Regina and concluding prayer, and may also be used to conclude other Marian devotions. Prayer to Saint Joseph To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness. As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen. Att odla potatis i en hink är ett enkelt och nästan lite förunderligt sätt att följa livet från det lilla till det stora. Det passar lika bra på en balkong som i en trädgård – och det bär på en djup påminnelse om hur mycket som ryms i det lilla vi sår. Så här odlar du potatis i hink: Du behöver: En hink (10–20 liter) med hål i botten för dränering Sättpotatis (förgrodd om möjligt) Näringsrik jord Lite tålamod och omsorg Gör så här: Lägg ett lager jord i botten, ca 10–15 cm. Placera 2–3 potatisar ovanpå jorden. Täck med jord så att potatisen precis täcks. När plantan växer, fyll på med mer jord efter hand – detta kallas att kupa. Vattna regelbundet, men undvik att det blir för blött. Efter cirka 8–12 veckor kan du börja skörda – lyft försiktigt upp jorden och plocka dina potatisar. Det fina med denna metod är att du bokstavligen bygger upp din skörd lager för lager. Det är som att livet själv påminner oss om att tillväxt ofta sker stegvis, i det dolda. En växtkraft som talar till oss Potatisen växer i mörk jord, osynlig för ögat – men ändå full av liv. Det kan vara en tröst i tider när vi inte ser resultat av det vi gör. Mycket av det viktigaste i livet sker under ytan. I Bibeln står det: ”Vad en människa sår, det skall hon också skörda.” (Galaterbrevet 6:7) Det gäller i jorden – men också i livet. När vi sår omsorg, vänlighet och kärlek, får det växa i sin egen tid. Precis som potatisen i hinken behöver tid, vatten och näring, behöver vi och våra relationer samma omsorg.