The devotion of the day Wednesday to Saint Joseph: source of graces

We must honor and bless God in his infinite perfections, in his works and in his saints. This honor must always be given to him, every day of our lives.

However, the piety of the faithful, approved and increased by the Church, dedicates certain days to paying particular honor to God and his Saints. Thus, Friday is dedicated to the Sacred Heart, Saturday to the Madonna, Monday to remember the dead. Wednesday is dedicated to the great patriarch. In fact, on that day the acts of respect in honor of St. Joseph are usually multiplied, with florets, prayers, Communions and Masses.

May Wednesday be dear to the devotees of St. Joseph and do not let this day pass without having given him some act of respect, which could be: a mass listened to, a devoted communion, a small sacrifice or a special prayer… The prayer of the seven is recommended pains and the seven joys of St. Joseph.

As special importance is given on the first Friday of the month, to repair the Sacred Heart, and on the first Saturday, to repair the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so it is convenient to remember St. Joseph every first Wednesday of the month.

Where there is a church or altar dedicated to the Holy Patriarch, particular practices are usually performed on the first Wednesday, with Mass, preaching, singing and reciting public prayers. But in addition, each one privately proposes to honor the Saint on that day. An advisable act for the devotees of St. Joseph would be this: Communicate on the first Wednesday with these intentions: repair the blasphemies that are said against St. Joseph, obtain that his devotion is spread more and more, implore the good death of obstinate sinners and assure us serene death.

Previously on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19th, it is customary to sanctify seven Wednesdays. This practice is an excellent preparation for his party. In order to make it more solemn, it is recommended that Masses be celebrated on these days, with the cooperation of the devotees.

The seven Wednesdays, privately, can be solemnized at any time of the year, to obtain special graces, for the success of some business, to be assisted by Providence and especially to obtain spiritual graces: resignation in the trials of life, strength in temptations, the conversion of some sinner at least on the point of death. St. Joseph, honored for seven Wednesdays, will obtain many graces from Jesus.

The painters represent our Saint in different attitudes. One of the most common paintings is this: St. Joseph holding the infant Jesus, who is in the act of giving roses to the Putative Father. The Saint takes the roses and drops them abundantly, symbolizing the favors he grants to those who honor him. Let each one take advantage of his powerful intercession, to his own and neighbor's advantage.

Example
On the hill of San Girolamo, in Genoa, there is a Church of the Carmelite Sisters. There an image of St. Joseph is venerated, which receives much devotion; it has a story.

On July 12, 1869, while the novena of the Madonna del Carmine was solemnized, one of the candles, having fallen in front of the painting of San Giuseppe, which was on canvas, set a fire there; this progressed slowly, giving off a light smoke.

The flame burned the canvas from side to side and followed an almost rectangular line; but when he approached the figure of San Giuseppe, he immediately changed direction. It was a wise fire. He should have followed his natural course, but, Jesus did not allow the fire to touch the image of his Putative Father.

Fioretto - Choose a good work to do every Wednesday, to deserve the assistance of San Giuseppe in the hour of death.

Giaculatoria - Saint Joseph, bless all your devotees!

Taken from San Giuseppe by Don Giuseppe Tomaselli

On January 26, 1918, at the age of sixteen, I went to the Parish Church. The temple was deserted. I entered the baptistery and there I knelt at the baptismal font.

I prayed and meditated: In this place, sixteen years ago, I was baptized and regenerated to the grace of God. I was then placed under the protection of St. Joseph. On that day, I was written in the book of the living; another day I will be written in that of the dead. -

Many years have passed since that day. Youth and virility are spent in the direct exercise of the Priestly Ministry. I have destined this last period of my life to the press apostolate. I was able to put a fair number of religious booklets into circulation, but I noticed a shortcoming: I did not dedicate any writing to St. Joseph, whose name I bear. It is right to write something in his honor, to thank him for the assistance given to me from birth and to obtain his assistance at the hour of death.

I do not intend to narrate the life of St. Joseph, but to make pious reflections to sanctify the month preceding his feast.