A Novena to St Joseph : Day 7 - The Presentation in the Temple

 

7) The Presentation in the Temple

Whom thou upon the fortieth day

In His own house presenting,

Didst freewill offerings duly pay

To Moses' law consenting. Hail Mary.

Quem die quadragesima

in templo præsentasti:

ac Moysi legitima

spontanee subisti. Ave Maria.

On the fortieth day, in the Temple thou didst present Him, and thou didst freely comply with the law of Moses.

Gospel Account

After the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: as it is written in the law of the Lord: ‘Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,’ and to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. 

Behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. He had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord, and He came by the Spirit into the temple. When His parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, Simeon also took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 

‘Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.’ 

His father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. 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.’ 

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. [Luke ii 22-38]

Adoremus in æternum Sanctissimum Infantem!

Notes

Jesus is taken to the Temple by Joseph, His foster-father, and His Mother Mary. Jesus finds Himself in His Father’s house for the first time, forty days after His birth. Parents will testify that babies smile for the first time around this time (ie, six weeks).Did Joseph see this first smile? The first-born little boy is offered up as a sacrifice to His Father in heaven, in accordance with the Law, but God in His mercy allows the parents to buy back, or redeem, their Son. The Redeemer is redeemed, and Simeon makes a prophecy that gives Joseph and Mary much cause to reflect, wondering at those things which were spoken concerning their baby Son. 

Joseph, together with Mary, receives a blessing from Simeon and then they hear more mysterious words from Anna, the prophetess, speaking of the Redeemer and those who in Israel were looking for Redemption.

Prayer asking St Joseph to be one's companion and guide in this life

Oratio, ut S. Ioseph in via vitae huius ducem et comitem impetremus.

 

O SAINT JOSEPH, just as thou as father and mentor didst most faithfully guide Jesus Christ during His boyhood and adolescence through His journeys in this life, I beseech thee to assist me in the wanderings of my life as just such a companion and guide. Never permit me to turn aside from the path of God's commandments. Be for me a protection in adversity, and a solace in hardship, until I finally arrive in the land of the living, where I may rejoice forever with thee, with the most holy spouse Mary, and with all the saints in my God Jesus. Amen.

O S. IOSEPH! qui tanquam pater et manuductor Christum Iesum in pueritia et iuventute per omnes peregrinationis humanæ vias fidelissime deduxisti: et mihi obsecro in vitae meæ peregrinatione tanquam comes et ductor assiste, nec unquam permitte me a via mandatorum Dei declinare; sis in adversis præsidium, in ærumnis solatium, donec tandem ad terram viventium perveniam, ubi tecum et sanctissima sponsa tua Maria, omnibusque Sanctis æternum in Deo Iesu meo exultem. Amen.

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.