Page 170 - Reflections on St. Joseph

Before answering that, we should ask what elements would be most important for the popular
promotion of devotion to St. Joseph. Probably most of us would agree on the following list. Said
devotion should:

1) Be Christocentric as emphasized by the Second Vatican Council.
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2) Depart from St. Joseph’s most fundamental role, which is that of Husband of Mary.
3) Be based on a sound understanding of Sacred Scripture.
4) Include all principal aspects of St. Joseph’s life and role in the mystery of salvation.
5) Lead to deeper contemplation.
6) Lead to more virtuous daily living.
7) Have great intercessory power.
8) Respond to the pastoral needs of our times, when a renewed appreciation of both
marriage and virginity is so needed (as indicated by the general theme of this
Symposium).
9) Be easily understood and easily practiced by the faithful.

Only after praying the Holy Spouses Rosary for more than twenty years in a rather hidden manner
have I felt called to promote this devotion more zealously. I do so only out of the firm and well-
founded conviction that our times demand a new devotion to apply better all nine of the principles
listed above. This devotion and this conviction have both evolved from reflection on material
presented over the years in these International Symposia and particularly from Fr. Stramare’s clear
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focus, situating Josephology in the proper context of the mystery of Christ, and from the teachings
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of John Paul II on the theology of the body, on St. Joseph, and on the rosary. 6

Of course, all devotees of St. Joseph have their own prayer traditions and devotions. Without putting
those aside, I dare ask listeners and readers also to try praying the devotion described here for a
period of time, reflecting on the mysteries associated with it, and then to judge whether or not the
nine criteria listed above are not satisfied in a heretofore unparalleled manner.

Here I will present the devotion in the
space allowed, while recommending the
more complete book entitled The Holy
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Spouses Rosary, available in both English
and Spanish. (An appendix in the book
also has the basic prayer and mystery
titles for praying this rosary in Latin,
Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Filipino,
Malayalam, or Igbo.) The rest of this paper
will then show how this devotion
satisfies so well all nine of the
requirements listed above.

What is the Holy Spouses Rosary?

The Holy Spouses Rosary is based upon
the venerable, time-tried, and officially
approved devotion known as the Marian
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Reflections on st. joseph