# Consecration Day Six: The Holy Trinity and Saint Joseph
*2020-02-21*

> Bill Young reflects on Saint Joseph’s role in the earthly Holy Family, the connection to the heavenly Trinity, and the history of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, concluding with a litany of Saint Joseph.

## The Holy Trinity in the Family of Nazareth

Day six of our consecration to Saint Joseph focuses on the Holy Trinity—one God, have mercy on us. Saint Joseph is called the head of the Holy Family, the earthly counterpart of the heavenly Trinity. While the comparison has limits—Mary and Joseph are not divine—the three members of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—reflect the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This likeness teaches us about God’s Trinitarian family and prepares us for adoption into the eternal family of heaven through baptism.

## Saint Joseph as Our Spiritual Father

Through baptism we become members of the mystical Body of Christ, the Church, and are incorporated into the Holy Family on earth. Saint Joseph, as our spiritual father, guides us to love, pray, sacrifice, and do the will of God. By following his example of virtue, we are paved for the ultimate communion with the heavenly Trinity.

## The Story of Saint Joseph’s Oratory

Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, Canada, is the world’s largest shrine to Saint Joseph. It was founded by Brother André Bessette, a lay brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Orphaned at a young age, André developed a deep devotion to Saint Joseph and spent his life praying for those who came to the Oratory’s door. He offered devotional oil and answered countless petitions, attributing every miracle to Saint Joseph’s intercession. The small chapel he built in 1904 grew into a basilica completed in 1967. Brother André died in 1937, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982, and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. Today, over two million pilgrims visit the Oratory each year, seeking graces for health, marriage, and conversion.

## Litany of Saint Joseph

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Noble offspring of David, pray for us. Light of the patriarch, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. Foster‑father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. Most just, most chaste, most prudent, most courageous, most obedient, most faithful, mirror of patience, lover of poverty, model of a workman, glory of domestic life, guardian of virgins, protector of families, comfort of the afflicted, hope of the sick, patron of the dying, terror of demons, protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, Lord. Have mercy on us.
Let us pray: O God, who in loving providence chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of the Most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of his intercession in heaven. You who live and reign forever, hear our prayer. Amen.

## Closing Thoughts

Our consecration to Saint Joseph will conclude on his feast day, March 19. As we continue the 33‑day journey toward greater glory, may we keep the Holy Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the center of our lives, with Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary as our earthly guides.

*Saint Joseph leads us as a spiritual father, inviting us into the family of the Holy Trinity both on earth and in heaven.*