A powerful Intercessor
St Joseph is a powerful intercessor and we should not hesitate in taking our needs to him. St Joseph’s influence is very great when we ask him to intercede for us. The Son of God could neither refuse nor forget Joseph whom he loved and cherished as His earthly father. Our Blessed Mother Mary has often proclaimed his greatness. Joseph is present in the Marian apparitions at Fatima and Knock. In the Knock Apparition, St Joseph stood barefoot, his hands folded in prayer and his head slightly bowed towards Mary as if honouring her as the Mother of God.
Memorare to St Joseph Remember, O Most Chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help,or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto you, my spiritual father, and beg your protection. O Earthly Father of the Redeemer, despise not my petition, but in your goodness hear and answer me. Amen
Since 2013, St Joseph’s name appears in all four Eucharistic prayers for Mass – a just reward for the earthly father of Jesus who took such great care of the human nature, growth and development of Jesus. Pope Francis has certainly encouraged devotion to St Joseph with the designation of the Year of St Joseph which ended on Dec 8, 2021. The Pope also told us about his personal devotion; when he has a problem, he writes a note and places it underneath the statue depicting St Joseph asleep asking him to pray for (sleep on) his intentions and bring them to God, who on four different occasions sent an angel to speak to St Joseph as he slept. This devotion has become popular in recent times. 10
Knock Shrine - New Statue of St Joseph To celebrate the Year of St Joseph, Knock Shrine commissioned this beautiful new statue of St Joseph. Designed and sculpted by renowned Italian sculptors Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 studios, it depicts St Joseph as he appeared in the Apparition at Knock in 1879 - a secure, gentle presence beside Our Lady, head bowed reverently toward her. The new statue was blessed during Mass by Archbishop Michael Neary on Saturday November 6, 2021.
‘On four occasions God sent an angel to St Joseph as he slept’
(Nuala Higgins lives in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Our thanks to Nuala for her article and the photo of the stained glass window and the Altar.) Spring 2022
Fr Richard Gibbons, Administrator, acknowledged the presence of two Mill Hill priests at the Mass; Fr Denis Hartnett and Fr Gerald Doyle are chaplains at the Shrine. He also thanked the Mill Hill Missionaries for sponsoring the statue. Interestingly, the place where the statue was sculpted, Tyrol in Northern Italy, is the home area of many Mill Hill Missionaries over the years. Saint Joseph is our Mill Hill Patron and his presence in the Apparition at Knock is very significant for us. Our official title is St Joseph’s Missionary Society. Our founder, Herbert Vaughan, pointed to St Joseph’s life of loving service and wanted his future missionaries ‘To Love and to serve.’ Our mission continues with over 120 young Mill Hill missionary priests from Africa and Asia. Spring 2022
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