A Home in My Heart

Build Him a home in my heart; Father Dear,
Build Jesus a home in my heart.
Shave off all that keeps me from loving aright
The Lord of the World, Whom your lips kissed goodnight.
Cut out all the knots of self-love, and my thoughts
Make polished for Him in His home in my heart.

Build Jesus a home in my heart, Joseph Just,
As a cradle to hold Him always.
Set right the beams of my penance and make
Of my heart a sweet refuge where Jesus may stay.
With your hands to forge me, to finish from start,
I’ll know He’ll rest, safe, in His home in my heart.
- A Marian Sister of Santa Rosa​

St. Teresa, the Seraph of Avila, said that those who had not yet found a Master to teach them to pray need only turn to St. Joseph and he, King of the Interior Life, would teach them. Further, she boldly proclaimed that no one who went to St. Joseph would be turned away, for he had power to help in all circumstances. It is with this audacious, childlike confidence that we turn to St. Joseph—a principal patron of the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa—to guide us in how to live out our lives of consecration with fidelity and devotion. It is to Joseph, the Spouse of Mary and Foster-Father of Jesus, whom we turn as a guide of how to live ever more deeply our consecration to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary. ​

A Marian Sister entrusts her religious life to St. Joseph in a special way: when professing the holy vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, she places herself under his protection; relying not on her own merits and virtues but on the grace of God and the example, intercession and protection of St. Joseph and His Immaculate Spouse. Good St. Joseph, as the first to give His life in loving service to Jesus and Mary, is our model and ideal in how to allow Our Lady full reign in our hearts, so that she may form Christ in us and teach us to love and serve Him perfectly. ​

​Ite ad Joseph
​Go to Joseph

When it seems that God asks much of us, that we are wearied from the toil in His vineyard or have lost our way in our pursuit of Jesus, Hidden in our hearts, let us turn to Father St. Joseph with complete confidence in his power to guide, rescue and fortify us. Beg of this loving Father the grace to live as he did: to work without growing faint, and with detachment from self; to love and obey unconditionally, and to accept in Humility the path our Good God has ordained for us. Jesus, who did not hesitate to obey St. Joseph on earth, will grant whatever we ask through his intercession. In all your needs, this month and always: “Ite ad Joseph!”

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