# Day 6 – Nine Days to Joseph: Suffering with Love
*2020-03-14*

> Bill reflects on St. Joseph’s suffering and asks for the grace to unite his own trials with Joseph’s love, while praying for those afflicted by illness.

## Opening Prayer

Dear St. Joseph, as I draw nearer to you I see the scars in your heart. You suffered through love—darkness and confusion when Mary was found with the child, the sacrifice of your own flesh as you offered intimacy to Mary, the sword of sorrow when the prophets foretold the passion of your Son, the distress of fleeing to Egypt, the crushing anxiety when the twelve‑year‑old Jesus was lost for three days, and the daily fatigue of labor. Most of all, your heart grieved, knowing you could not be present at the darkest hour of Jesus and Mary’s lives. Thank you for your yes and for suffering in God’s service. In union with your Son, I love you, St. Joseph.

## Petition for Suffering with Love

St. Joseph, help me to serve you by suffering with love as you did. When I suffer, keep me from complaining, from forgetting love, and from neglecting others. Through my own pain, watch over my heart; may it become merciful rather than hardened. Help me remember all of God’s children who are suffering in the world, and let me offer my suffering for them and for the good of the Church. I trust that you are with me, guiding me to suffer with love.

## Prayer for the Sick

St. Joseph, who suffered with love, please help me always to suffer with a love like yours. Amen.

We also lift up those whose suffering comes from a deadly disease. I have heard of six students from Nova University who returned from a trip to Ireland and now face serious illness. They did nothing to deserve such pain, yet we pray they may find comfort in the love of St. Joseph.

*May we unite our own trials with St. Joseph’s loving sacrifice, offering our suffering for the salvation of others.*