Introducing the Josary
The Josary, created by Sister Kathleen Rooney SSJ, is like the Rosary, only the focus of the meditations is on Joseph and the mysteries of his life, not on the Blessed Mother’s. The prayer form is just like the rosary and you use rosary beads to pray the Josary. Instead of the Hail Mary, you pray the Joseph Prayer on each bead. The Joseph prayer is:
Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary, your wife, into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. Holy Joseph, Virgin Father of Jesus, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Today we continue with the last of Sister Kathleen Rooney’s Josary mysteries. “All Mysteries are prayed by starting with an Our Father, 10 Josary Prayers and ending with a Glory Be.
Fifth Mystery – Joseph, the Parent
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom,
and the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:4)
The ‘hidden years’ of Jesus’ life may have been the proverbial ‘Camelot’ of Joseph’s life. He and Mary,
Sister Kathleen Rooney, SSJ
married, making a home and raising Jesus. Those common, ordinary days must have been a great treasure after the turmoil of their beginning years. Joseph would support the family as a carpenter and teach his trade to Jesus. As observant Jews, Joseph and Mary would be the first to teach Jesus about the Torah and the practices of Judaism through their words and actions.
It was by Divine intervention that Joseph was chosen to be a parent to Jesus. Joseph’s influence on Jesus during those early years must have been exceptional—we need only look at the man Jesus to know the influence of Joseph.
Go to Joseph over again as you face the challenges and joys of being a parent, grandparent or any type of caregiver. Saint Joseph, Pray for Us!”
SOURCE: Rooney, Kathleen. “Introducing the Josary.” One With Magazine of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Spring 2021: 31-33. Print. © Kathleen Rooney, SSJ