The most important part of devotion to St. Joseph is imitating his example.
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While prayers and devotions are important to honor St. Joseph, what is more important is to imitate the life and example of the foster-father of Jesus.
In the 19th-century book Devotion to Saint Joseph, the author explains this concept plainly.
The most excellent devotion towards our holy patrons consists in imitating their virtues. Endeavor each day to practice some of those virtues which shone in St Joseph; for example, conformity to the holy will of God.
The book also details a helpful practice that can remind you to imitate St. Joseph.
Father Louis Lalemant, having chosen St Joseph for model of the interior life, practiced each day in his honor the following exercises: two in the morning and two in the evening.
1Listen to the Holy Spirit
The first was to raise his mind toward the heart of St. Joseph and consider how docile he had been to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Then examining his own heart, he humbled himself for his times of resistance, and animated himself to follow more faithfully the inspirations of grace.
2Unity of Prayer and Work
The second was to consider with what perfection St. Joseph united the interior life to the occupations of his state in life. Then reflecting on his own life, he examined if there were some defects to correct. Father Lalemant attained by this holy practice to a great union with God and he knew how to preserve it in the midst of occupations which seemed the most distracting.
3Devotion to the Virgin Mary
The third was to unite himself spiritually to St. Joseph as spouse of the Mother of God; and considering the admirable lights which the saint had on the virginity and maternity of Mary, he encouraged himself to love this holy patriarch for the love of his holy spouse.
4Adore the Christ Child
The fourth was to represent to himself the profound adoration and the paternal services which St. Joseph had rendered to the Child Jesus: he asked to be permitted to join with him in adoring, loving, and serving this Divine Infant with the tenderest affection and the profoundest veneration.
Read more:
A beautiful prayer to St. Joseph in this his year: “To you, O blessed Joseph”
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Plenary indulgence offered each Wednesday in this Year of St. Joseph
