"Our Spiritual Father"

"We choose St. Joseph, virginal spouse of the Mother of God,
and patron of the Universal Church, as our spiritual father and co-patron,
​entrusting to his care the spiritual and temporal welfare of our community and of each sister.  To his powerful intercession we also commend future vocations to our community."
- Constitutions of the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa -

The novena to St. Joseph, our dear patron, begins today. We invite you to join us in praying to the Patron and Father of the Universal Church in preparation for his feast day, March 19.

In this novena, no specific prayers are necessary. Each day for nine days, turn to St. Joseph in spirit honoring him four times throughout the day. During each visit, consider one of the following aspects of St. Joseph, remembering to thank God for honoring St. Joseph and, through his intercession, request a similar grace: 

• 1st Visit: St. Joseph's fidelity to grace & the Holy Spirit's action in his soul
• 2nd Visit: St. Joseph's fidelity to the interior life & the spirit of recollection
• 3rd Visit: St. Joseph's love for Our Lady
• ​4th Visit: St. Joseph's love for the Divine Child

You may also pray the "Memorare" to St. Joseph:

Remember, most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, my loving protector, St. Joseph, that no one ever had recourse to your protection or asked for your aid without obtaining relief. Confiding, therefore, in your goodness, I come before you and humbly implore you. Despise not my petitions, foster-father of the Redeemer, but graciously receive them. Amen. 

Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. Amen. ​

March 19 will also be the 3rd anniversary of our first Mass in Mater Dei Convent. St. Joseph's feast was our first full day in our new Convent - it truly seemed like a confirmation of his tender protection of our little Community! 

The difference in our Chapel from March 2021 to the present is striking!