The Catholic Defender: Be Strong, Be Courageous, Consecration to St. Joseph Part III

Part III of Cosecration to St. Joseph.  Questions to night will concern the following:

1.  Noble Offspring of David, Pray for us

refers to St. Joseph, who, according to religious tradition, is a descendant of King David and thus, a member of the royal lineage, and is a title used in the Litany of St. Joseph. 

2.  Light of Patriarchs, Pray for us

"Light of Patriarchs" indicates that those in the natural role of patriarchal authority (men who are husbands, fathers, priests, religious, etc.) can look to him as a guide for using that authority well. In Scripture St. Joseph is a figure of discernment, wisdom, obedience, protection, duty, and service.

3.  Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for us

"Mother of God" is a loose translation of the Greek, Theotokos' or, literally, "God bearer." It means that Mary carried God, in the person of Jesus, in her womb and gave birth to him.

4.  Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for us

In Mary, we see virginity for what it really is - sacred and miraculous. After all, Jesus was conceived in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit. And she remained a virgin her whole life. And it was Joseph's job, as her chosen husband, to "guard" that sacred virginity as a "chaste" spouse.

5.  Foster Father of the Son of God, Pray for us

Saint Joseph, you were privileged to share in the mystery of the Incarnation as the foster-father of Jesus. Mary alone was directly connected with the fulfillment of the mystery, in that she gave her consent to Christ's conception and allowed the Holy Spirit to form the sacred humanity of Jesus from her blood.

6.  Zealous Defender of Christ, Pray for us

"Zealous Defender of Christ" is a title often associated with Saint Joseph, highlighting his unwavering faith and commitment to protecting Jesus and Mary, as seen in his actions like fleeing to Egypt to save the infant Jesus from Herod. 

7.  Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us The Holy House of Loreto

The Holy House of Loreto, a venerated Marian shrine in Italy, is believed to be the house where the Virgin Mary grew up and where the Annunciation occurred, and is a place of pilgrimage and devotion.