# Consecration to Saint Joseph: Noble offspring of David
*2020-03-01*

> Bill Young leads Day 9 of the consecration to Saint Joseph, reflecting on Joseph's royal lineage and his role as the head of the Holy Family, followed by the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

## Prayers for the Afflicted

Good afternoon. Today we are continuing Day 9 of the consecration to Saint Joseph by Father Galloway. Before we begin, I want to mention that we are praying specifically for those who have contracted the coronavirus, those who have passed away from the disease, and their family members. We are asking for mercy for their souls. In the Gospel of Matthew, we are reminded to stay awake and vigilant; while we hope this pandemic passes, we are not certain, which is why we need our prayers, our consecrations, Mass, confession, and adoration.

## The Royal Lineage of Saint Joseph

The theme for Day 9 is 'Noble offspring of David, pray for us.' God saw to it that Joseph was born into a royal family, possessing earthly nobility. The blood of David, Solomon, and the kings of Judah flows in his veins. As noted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Saint Joseph is of the Davidic line. While our spiritual mother, Mary, was likely a descendant of King David as well, the New Testament emphasizes Joseph's lineage because the Davidic ancestry of the Messiah needed to be shown through the father's line.

Therefore, although Jesus is not the biological son of Joseph, He is the son of Joseph by law. This legal relationship fulfills the prophecies, giving Jesus the legal right to be called the descendant of King David.

## The King of the Holy Family

Pope Benedict XVI noted that Saint Joseph was the king of the Holy Family. He was not the king of Israel or Nazareth in a political sense, but as every man is the king of his own home, Joseph was the king of his household. In the home of Nazareth, Joseph was the king, Mary was the queen, and Jesus was the prince, awaiting the kingdom prepared for Him by His Heavenly Father.

Many saints have lovingly referred to Saint Joseph as 'Lord.' For example, Saint Teresa of Avila was particularly fond of this term. When the saints use the word 'Lord' for Saint Joseph, they are not claiming he is God, but are expressing deep respect, similar to how one addresses a dignitary. This devotional language reflects their vital relationship with him. Just as Mary is called 'Madonna'—from the Latin 'me domino,' meaning 'my lady'—we honor Saint Joseph as our noble spiritual father and master.

## Devotions and the Rosary

Following our reflections, we prayed the Litany of Saint Joseph, honoring him as the spouse of the Mother of God, the guardian of virgins, and the terror of demons. We then transitioned into the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, dedicating our prayers to those suffering from illness and those who have recently died.

We meditated on the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Jesus, the Presentation, and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. We concluded our time with the Hail Holy Queen and the Catena Magna, praying for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for all who seek the favors of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*Saint Joseph's royal lineage and his role as the head of the Holy Family provide us with a model of love, reverence, and spiritual fatherhood.*