<![CDATA[Hermitage of St. Joseph - Newsletter]]>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:57:42 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Solemnity of Saint Joseph | Happy Spring]]>Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMThttp://hermitageofstjoseph.org/newsletter/solemnity-of-saint-joseph-happy-spring
In 1542, after months of suffering a debilitating illness, Saint Teresa of Jesus was miraculously healed and attributed this healing to the intercession of Saint Joseph and she turned to him as her spiritual father throughout her life stating that:

“To other saints, Our Lord seems to have given power to succor us in some special necessity, but to this glorious saint (I know by my experience), he has given the power to help us in all things. Our Lord would have us understand that, as he was subject to Joseph on earth—St. Joseph, bearing the title of his father and being his guardian, could command him—so now Our Lord in heaven grants all his petitions.”
In 1562, she founded the first discalced convent bearing the name Saint Joseph, entrusting the reform to his care.
It is a joy to have this saint, the foster father of Our Lord, as our patron, of the whole church, and in particular of the Hermitage of Saint Joseph. Without uttering a word, he has given us an example of perseverance in the face of temptation and of unwavering loyalty in the responsibilities to which we have been called. Christ was born into a world already waging war against Him, and in this precarious atmosphere fraught with danger, God entrusted to Joseph the role of protecting his family – the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Word incarnate. As members of Christ’s body we enter into the care of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, who remains a good and faithful servant and protector of his Master’s household.

An Ancient Prayer to Saint Joseph:
O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me.

Signs of Spring

PictureLooking back on the beautiful gift of snow while looking forward to warmer days
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And the fleeting radiance of winter morning skies
The days are becoming noticeably longer  and as the frigid claws of winter lose their grip  we find ourselves rapidly approaching the profound mystery of Holy Week.
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We are not the only ones enjoying the spring weather!
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All of creation awaits the future glory, the celebration of the great paschal mystery, and the wedding feast of the Lamb in eternity.
]]><![CDATA[Congratulations to Br. Richard | November Beauty]]>Thu, 09 Nov 2023 20:42:59 GMThttp://hermitageofstjoseph.org/newsletter/congratulations-to-br-richard-november-beautyCongratulations to Brother Richard for his installation as a lector in October and admission to candidacy for the Transitional Diaconate and to the Ministry of Acolyte, this past weekend. We all look forward to his ordination to the diaconate in the spring of 2024 and to the priesthood in 2025.
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The adornment of leaves and flowers have faded away and the skeletal landscape lies dormant anticipating the coming warmth of spring, but mellow summer breezes remain far away. In the meantime we look forward to pristine snow and magnificent winter sunsets. This stark season of natural silence is a reminder that all things fade. In this month dedicated to the faithful departed, It encourages meditation on the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell and on the heroic lives of the saints who have gone before us and who enjoy the beatific vision in eternity.
November has a beauty unto its own which is reminiscent of the subtle and austere elegance of Carmel, both in appearance and spirit, which fosters a single-minded focus on God alone. The slowing of life and waning daylight is a signal to return our focus to prayer, especially during the quickly approaching season of Advent which embodies the hope of the contemplative life. In the frigid cover of night, there is an expectant waiting for an intimate encounter with the Living God.
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]]><![CDATA[First Update]]>Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:27:49 GMThttp://hermitageofstjoseph.org/newsletter/12-year-update     Almost 12 years have passed since our website has been updated. Little progress has been made on the construction site, but truly, God’s ways are not our ways, and His timing is certainly not our timing. Life is bittersweet, however, and while the brick and mortar remains in disrepair, other foundations are being made. Brother Richard is currently in seminary formation and, God willing, his ordination to the priesthood will take place in the spring of 2025.

The trailer pictured in our archives has been removed and two houses nearby have been converted into cells, one of which has a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and Mass is offered on special feast days. All of the hermitages are currently occupied and the prospect of converting the “Big Building” into more "cells" and communal spaces including a larger chapel, has not been abandoned, but the road ahead is a long one which will require much planning and even more help from God.

    We hope to make regular updates either seasonally or as events unfold in this little corner of the world. Until next time, please enjoy some photos of the beauty that surrounds us in our daily lives.
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