NO WEAPON SHALL PROSPER

'No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall arise against you in judgement, you shall show to be in the wrong. This (peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition) is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.' 

                                                                                        Isaiah 54:17

FAMILY APPARITIONS; MARRIED COUPLE JOSEPH AND MARY, TOGETHER WITH THE CHRIST CHILD

Apparitions of Joseph and Mary have occurred over the centuries. 
  Joseph and Mary, co-parenting the Son of GOD, attest to the sanctity of marriage by appearing together with Jesus in childhood form.

  The family in its traditional format comprises biological father, biological mother and biological children as a close unit with shared life, domicile and set of godly values.

  GOD gave us the blueprint for stable family life in the family He brought together in Israel: Joseph and Mary from Nazareth, together with God's own Son, Jesus.

  GOD further blessed the state of family by manifold apparitions of the Holy Family internationally, down through the centuries.

Cotignac, France
On August 10th 1519, a woodcutter named John de la Baume went up to the top of Mount Verdaille. 
  This humble man began his day as was his custom, with prayer.
  As John rose from his knees, he saw a cloud in which Joseph, together with Mary and the child Jesus appeared.
  The family were accompanied by Archangel Saint Michael and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
  Mary stood with her feet on a crescent moon. 
She told John, "Go and tell the Consuls and the Clergy of Cotignac to build a chapel here dedicated to Our Lady of Graces, and come in procession to receive the graces that I want to grant."
  The next day, in the same place, John had the same apparition and the request was repeated.

Fatima, Portugal
On the 13th October 1917, the visionaries at the Cova da Iria received a vision of the Holy Family.
  Saint Joseph appeared beside the sun with the Child Jesus and Mary.
  Joseph was dressed in white, and Jesus in light red. 
  Mary was dressed in white with a blue mantle, as Our Lady of the Rosary.
  Joseph blessed the crowd, making the Sign of the Cross three times.
The Child Jesus did the same.

Knock, Ireland
On 1st August 1879, at about 7 pm, the housekeeper to Archdeacon Kavanagh saw an apparition at the south gable of the parish church.
  Thereafter many others arrived at the church, and also witnessed the wondrous event.
  Mary stood with her husband Saint Joseph in front of a lamb with a cross on an altar: a universal symbolic image of Jesus.
  They were accompanied by Saint John the Evangelist.

  The vision was clear; three life-sized figures were seen to the west of the gable. 
  They were surrounded by light and standing out from it.
  Our Lady stood in the middle, her eyes lifted to heaven and her hands raised to her shoulders with palm inwards.
  She was dressed in a full loose cloak and had a beautiful crown on her head.

Saint Joseph stood to her right, his head bowed respectfully towards her.
  On her left stood Saint John the Evangelist.
He was dressed as a bishop with a small mitre: one  hand raised as if preaching.
  To the left of Saint John was an altar on which stood a lamb and a cross. 
  Around the altar some of the witnesses saw angels' wings.
  When night fell, the gable was covered with a cloud of pleasing light, soft like moonlight.
  The Figures seemed themselves to be made of light.

Zeitoun, Egypt
Holy Zeitoun is known as one of the locations where the Holy Family stayed during their flight into Egypt.
  This flight into the  land which welcomed the refugees saved the life of Jesus.

Above the Coptic Orthodox Church in Zeitoun, a suburb of Cairo, multiple apparitions were witnessed over some years.
  In 1968 Saint Joseph appeared several times together with his wife, Mary, and the Christ Child aged about twelve.

  Various of the Zeitoun apparitions were seen, documented and photographed by millions. 
  The apparitions were also seen by President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
  Furthermore the apparitions were captured by newspaper photographers and Egyptian television.

Message of the Holy Family
The loving unity of the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus witness to the supreme value GOD places upon the family unit.
  Many struggle with sorrows within family: bereavement, loss and unexpected difficulties may be bravely faced with the help of GOD.


  In an age where confusion reigns at times over various roles in the family, let us remember:
  Every balanced child needs a father. 
Saint Joseph himself - a human man - was chosen to guide Jesus through His developing years in His humanity.
  Every balanced child needs a mother. 
Our Lady - a human woman with a call from the Divine - was chosen to cherish Jesus within her being, nurture Him during His infancy, guide Him through His Youth, and be with Him during His Mission.
  She stood steadfast at His Cross when Her Son needed her at His Death.
  She saw the great Resurrection and the fulfilment of the prophecies of the centuries.

  Every balanced child needs the security of a stable family during the time of transition from infant to adulthood. 
  Severe disturbance in family structure and harmony may lead to the child experiencing difficulties in later life.

Jesus is the blueprint
Jesus, the Christ, promised by GOD and prophesied by the Prophets, is the blueprint of the perfect human being.

  Call on the Holy Family, and on Jesus for the graces needed for your family.

PRAYER
"Let us pray
[as the family of GOD
who share in His Life]
Father in Heaven, Creator of all,
You ordered the earth to bring forth life,
and crowned its goodness
by creating the family of man.
In history's moment when all was ready
You sent Your Son to dwell in time,
obedient to the laws of life in our world.
Teach us the sanctity of human love,
Show us the value of family life,
And help us to live in peace with all people
That we may share in Your Life forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
Amen." 

SAINT JOSEPH OF FLANDERS - DEVOTION OF SEVEN SORROWS AND SEVEN JOYS

In 1536, two Franciscan priests were sailing along the coast of Flanders.
  A tempest arose, sinking the ship along with 300 passengers.
  The two Fathers grabbed hold of a nearby plank, and held onto it as they were tossed in violent waves for three days and nights.
  All the while the two men prayed to Saint Joseph to save them from their desperate situation.

  On the third day, a radiant man came to their aid, encouraging them to have faith and to continue to trust in Saint Joseph.
  The mysterious man conducted them safely to harbor.
  Upon arriving safely, they repeatedly thanked the man and asked his name.
  He revealed that he was Saint Joseph himself.
The two priests wished to honor Joseph for his care of them, and asked what they could do.
  Saint Joseph told them to honor him in the following way: to daily recite 'The Our Father' and 'Hail Mary' seven times while meditating on his seven sorrows and seven joys.
  Thereafter, he disappeared as mysteriously as he had come.

Why not show your devotion to Saint Joseph by praying the Sorrows and the Joys?
  You can meditate on the scriptures while praying the following:

1st Sorrow - Joseph Resolves to Leave Mary [St Matthew 1:18-19]
When Mary was affianced to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with Child by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit of GOD.
  Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.

1st Joy - The Annunciation to Saint Joseph [St Matthew 1:20-21]
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
  The Child Who has been conceived in her comes from the Holy Spirit; she will give birth to a Son and you will name Him Jesus: He will save His people from their sins."

Prayer;
O glorious Saint Joseph, chaste spouse of Mary most holy, what anguish filled your heart when you thought of putting your spouse away privately.
  Yet your joy was unspeakable when the stupendous mystery of the Incarnation was made known to you by the angel.
  By this sorrow and joy of yours, we ask you to comfort us with the joy of a good life, followed by a holy death, patterned after your own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
        Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

2nd Sorrow - The Poverty of Jesus' Birth 
[St Luke 2:6-7]
"And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

2nd Joy - The Birth of the Savior of Humanity 
[St Luke 2:10-19]
"And the angel said to them: 'Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. . . For, this day, is born to you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord '. . . And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to all of good will.' . . . And they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger."

Prayer;
O glorious Saint Joseph, chosen to be the virgin father of the Word made flesh, your sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was changed into heavenly exultation when you heard the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night. By this sorrow and joy, we beg you to obtain for us the grace to one day hear the angelic songs of praise and rejoice in the shining splendor of heavenly glory.

        Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

3rd Sorrow - The Circumcision of Christ 
[St Luke 2:21]
"And after eight days were accomplished, the Child was circumcised . . ."

3rd Joy - The Holy Name of Jesus 
[St Matthew 1:24-25]
"And Joseph . . . did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him . . . and he called His name Jesus."

Prayer; 
O glorious Saint Joseph, you faithfully obeyed the law of God. Your heart was pierced at the sight of the precious blood shed by the Infant Savior during His circumcision, but the name 'Jesus' gave you new life and filled you with quiet joy. By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the holy name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips.
        Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

4th Sorrow - Simeon's Prophecy 
[St Luke 2:34-35]
"And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother: 'Behold this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.' "

4th Joy - The Salvation of Humanity 
[St Luke 2:29-33]
"Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy Word in peace; because my eyes have seen Thy Salvation, Who Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. And His father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him."

Prayer;
O glorious Saint Joseph, most faithful saint who shared the mysteries of our redemption, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused you to shudder with fear. But at the same time it filled you with blessed joy over the salvation which Simeon foretold would be attained by countless persons. By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us the grace to be numbered among those who, through the merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary, are destined to enjoy eternal salvation.

        Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

5th Sorrow - The Flight into Egypt 
[St Matthew 2:13-14]
"Behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: 'Arise, and take the Child and His mother, and fly into Egypt: and stay there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him." He arose, and took the Child and His mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and they were there until the death of Herod."

5th Joy - The Toppling of the Idols [Isaiah 19:1]
"Behold the Lord will ascend upon a swift cloud, and will enter into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at His Presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst thereof."

Prayer;
O glorious Saint Joseph, most watchful guardian of the incarnate Son of God, how you toiled and struggled, caring for the Son of the Most High, especially during the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how you rejoiced to have God Himself always near you amid the idols of Egypt. By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us the grace to keep ourselves safe from the evil one, especially be fleeing spiritual dangers; may every idol of earthly affection be recognized and rejected by us; may we become wholly engaged in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die.

        Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

6th Sorrow - The Perilous Return from Exile 
[St Matthew 2:19-22]
"But when Herod was dead, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, saying: 'Arise, and take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the Child.' He arose, and took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee."

6th Joy - Family Life at Nazareth 
[St Luke 2:39-40]
"And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the Child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the Grace of God was in Him."

Prayer;
O glorious St Joseph, you marveled to see the King of Heaven obedient to your commands, but your consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by your fear of Herod's successor; nevertheless, being reassured by the Angel, you lived happily at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary. By this sorrow and joy, obtain for us deliverance from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and live in safety with Jesus and Mary, and like you, may die in their company.

         Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

7th Sorrow - The Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem
[St Luke 2:42-45]
"And when He was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him."

7th Joy - The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
[St Luke 2:46-52]
"And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him, they wondered. And His mother said to Him: 'Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.' And He said to them: 'How is it that you sought me? Did you not know, that I must be about My Father's business?' . . . And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men."

Prayer;
O glorious St Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when you lost the Child Jesus through no fault of yours, you sorrowfully sought Him for three days until with great joy you found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers. By this sorrow and joy, we beg you to keep us from every having the misfortune of losing Jesus through mortal sin. But if this grave misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Jesus with sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His mercy, especially at the hour of death. Thus may we enjoy His Presence in Heaven, and there, in company with you, sing the praises of His Divine Mercy forever.

         Our Father  ✠   Hail Mary  ✠  Glory Be

CONCLUSION
V. And Jesus Himself was beginning His Ministry about the age of thirty years.
R. Being, as it was supposed, the Son of Joseph. [St Luke 3:23]

Pray for us, O holy Joseph, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray; O God, in Your ineffable Providence You were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You Who live and reign forever and ever.
R. Amen.

With thanks to BibleVideos.org and Youtube

NINE DAY NOVENA TO ST ANTHONY

ST ANTHONY OF PADUA IS A FAVOURITE SAINT OF MANY PEOPLE. He is called the 'Wonder Worker' because of the many miracles with which GOD has favoured  him. 
St Anthony is well known for helping people find lost items. 
Anthony was born in 1195 [13 years after St Francis] in Lisbon, Portugal. He was given the name of Fernando at Baptism.
His parents, Martin and Mary Bulhom, were from a prominent family of Lisbon.
Anthony entered the Augustinian Order at the age of 15.
After two years he went to Coimbra, where he studied theology.
He was probably ordained during this time.
Anthony changed to the Franciscan Order, and became a famous preacher well known for his holiness and the miracles which occurred after his death.

If you are in need, here is a nine day novena to St Anthony asking for his particular help.

Pray the prayer at the same time [or as near as possible] for nine consecutive days.
"St Anthony I resort to thy protection, and as proof of my affection and faith, I offer this candle which I shall burn everyday. [Only do this if you can afford a candle. Otherwise the love in your heart will be your light.]
Please comfort me in my difficulties and through thy living in thy home of my Saviour intercede for me and all those I love so that we may always hold GOD in our hearts and be provided for in our necessities. I beseech thee Saint Anthony to have infinite pity in regard to the favour I ask thee [here mention your request]. Please now help me to overcome all difficulties I leave at your feet.

Now pray the Our Father prayer three times; followed by the Hail Mary prayer three times, and finish with the Glory Be prayer three times.
Our Father;
Our Father Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary;
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The LORD is with thee,
Blessed art thou amongst women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus;

Holy Mary, Mother of GOD,
Pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Glory Be;
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and every shall be, world without end, Amen.

Holy Saint Anthony, pray for us.

This Novena should be said for nine days in succession.
It is a kindly thought to leave a copy of this prayer in a church to help another soul in distress, and to increase the devotion to Saint Anthony. Again, this is only relevant if you can afford the paper.

If you have lost an item, and are desperate to find it, pray the following prayer;
'Holy Saint Anthony, please help me to find' [here name the article].

Thanksgiving;
Always remember to thank Saint Anthony once he has granted a request.

If you wish, you can join the St Anthony Shrine, light candles online and join in following the worship of the Holy Mass.
See
https://www.stanthony.org/online-prayer-request/st-anthony-novena/

You can also light a candle online at 
http://www.gratefulness.org/light-a-candle/

With thanks to stanthony.org and gratefulness.org