I suppose I’m a little late with the upload today, but Wednesday is normally my day off.  (Is there a normal anymore?  Is it even Wednesday?)

Here’s some thoughts on today’s Solemnity.  They made sense in my head; hopefully they make sense to you.

In a time like this, I figure, the more prayer resources, the better.  So today I share with you the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

I imagine many of you are already familiar with it; but for if not, don’t worry – it’s very easy to pray.  It’s a devotion that comes to the universal Church through the writings and revelations of Saint Faustina.

The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception have a website with a lot of information on both the chaplet and the Divine Mercy in general, including this handy guide on how to pray the chaplet.

I would encourage you to pray the chaplet often in these days of quarantine, and offer it especially for those suffering – and dying – from COVID-19.

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last two days, but as you’ll hear, I have reasons.  They’re not good reasons, but I have reasons.  Anyway, here’s some thoughts for today.

So yesterday turned out to not be a very good day.  That happens sometimes.  Hopefully today is better.  Here’s a short reflection loosely based on today’s readings.

Happy Friday!  Hope everyone can find a way to enjoy the warm temperature amidst all the rain.  I’m going to try to do a few laps through the parish cemetery later just to stretch my legs.

Here’s a little reflection on today’s readings.  We’ll see what the day holds as regards further posts.

I started talking…and forgot to shut up.  Very un-Joseph-like of me.

The encyclical I mention is Quamquam pluries.  It’s pretty short, so check it out.

This is the prayer to St. Joseph that Pope Leo concludes the encyclical with.  I meant to conclude my post by reading it, but completely whiffed on it.  I’ll eventually get better at this…

To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction, and having implored the help of thy thrice holy Spouse, we now, with hearts filled with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith thou wert united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt succor us in our need by thy power and strength.

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, that, following thine example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen.

I’m not going to act like I know what I’m doing when it comes to video editing, but here’s my first attempt:  The Litany of Saint Joseph.

Big feast today: the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  So naturally, I have a few things to say about.  Today’s readings can be found here, so you can see what I’m rambling about.

The Church celebrates Saint Cyril of Jerusalem today.  I tend to think of him as being somewhat overlooked, so here’s my attempt at fixing that.

Here’s a brief reflection ontoday’s readings.  I’m not sure I made the point I wanted to make or not, but I tried…