Consecration to Jesus: What It Is and Who It's For

In 2017, Connie Triolo started the 33 Days to Morning Glory in St. Joseph’s as a ministry. Doing this Consecration to Jesus through Mary has been an enriching prayer experience to all who participate, not just at St. Joseph’s but all over the world! But what exactly is it?

Consecrate means to “make holy.” This is a way to grow closer to Jesus through a commitment in prayer. There are many different kind of consecration now, but the most popular is through His Mother, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. After all, what dutiful son would not honor the requests of his mother? Just look at when Mary told Jesus to turn water into wine even though His hour had not yet come (John 2:1-11)

Join us!

We’ll be doing a consecration and prep start April 26th. See information on the different kinds below and click here to view the event.

The different kinds of Consecration

There are several books available that make the process very easy. For a few weeks you simply follow the short, daily readings, and upon completion you prayerfully make your consecratiHere are a few recommended consecration preparation books, most of which are available through Heavenly Gifts, or by calling 985-386-3558 (leave a message and you will be answered shortly!).

Through Mary

Through Mary (simplified)

Through Mary (simplified)

Through the Rosary

Through the Gospel of St. John

*NOTE: If you’re using 33 Days to Morning Glory, accompanying videos are available in the FORMED.org app.

There’s also a new consecration nook to St. Joseph but we haven’t started the yet. Grab a sneak peak here!

What about during covid-19?

St. Joseph’s Consecration ministry tries to offer consecration preparation during the Spring and Summer. With the uncertainty of social gatherings at this point, we are encouraging parish members to consider doing a consecration at home this year. The date shown above is only a suggestion. Timing is not nearly as important as the consecration itself. Now would be the perfect time for each of us to grow closer to Our Lord.

for more information

Call Ron or Terri at (504) 450-5459 or Connie at (985) 507-7164

Chanting Vespers - Part 1

For some time now, each Wednesday at 6 pm, St. Joseph’s Chapel has resonated with the sound of voices chanting Vespers, Evening Prayer.  Puzzled by what that means? Have you seen this activity listed on the parish calendar and wondered what it is all about? Perhaps the following will shed some light on this prayerful practice.

As Roman Catholics, we know that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Vatican II). Indeed “all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch” (CCC Ed 2 #1324).  The Mass is where every dimension of Christian life comes together. However, the Liturgy of the Hours, joined with the Mass, constitute the public prayer life of the Church.

The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office, like the Mass itself, has its roots in the Old Testament. The 150 Psalms-prayers of the Old Testament- form the basis for this liturgy.  In the Old Testament, the Jewish people prayed the psalms at regular hours each day. This practice was maintained by the early Christians.

In the fourth century, Christians began to build churches and meet there to pray at the beginning and end of each day. “… Christians gathered in the church. If a bishop was present, he would lead; otherwise a priest would lead. The people would sing the psalms provided for the morning or the evening. Because they did not vary, the people could learn them by heart and sing them tunefully” (Gallagher). At the same time, monasteries were forming, and the monks would also gather at specific hours throughout each day to pray the psalms and other prayers. Eventually, the practice of praying this liturgy waned significantly among the laity.

The praying of the Liturgy of the Hours can be seen as obedience to the biblical exhortation to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), for the entire cycle is composed of psalms prayed at (approximate times): 6 am. 9 am. Noon. 3 pm, 6 pm. And 9 pm. 

At St. Joseph’s, the faithful are invited to gather for Evening Prayer (Vespers) with Father McDuffie on Wednesdays at 6 pm. The Psalms and Canticles are chanted to very simple tones that are easy to learn-much like the Responsorial Psalm sung at Mass.  Evening Prayer concludes with Benediction.   

During this time of social distancing, as with the suspension of public celebrations of the Mass, Evening Prayer, is not being celebrated publicly.  The resources on the parish website, however, have links to these prayers and chanting of Vespers. In addition, recordings of the chanting of Vespers at St. Joseph’s Chapel, will be available on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 6pm on the parish Facebook  or YouTube page, with additional days to follow. Consider making this part of your prayer life and a way to pray without ceasing.

He Has Risen Hallelujah!

An Easter Prayer

Good and gracious God,
Our most glorious Creator,
As we greet the signs in nature around us:
Of Spring once again regaling us in bloom,
In the songs of returning birds and fields soon to be planted,
We give you praise for an even greater sign of new life: the resurrection of your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we especially celebrate at this time.
The sadness and despair of his death has given way to the bright promise of immortality.
For the Resurrection is our guarantee that justice will triumph over treason, Light will overcome darkness, and love will conquer death.
As we celebrate, we also dare to ask for your grace that we may live the promise given to us,
By imitating the life of Jesus in reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the least among us,
As we strive to be neighbor to all those we meet,
We ask your special blessings each and every day on our President.
Working with him may we strive to make this great country of ours a beacon of hope and justice in a world hungry for peace and so in need of your love.
We praise you in this Easter season. Change our lives, change our hearts to be messengers of Easter joy and hope.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever.

Amen.

- Fr. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, offered at the fourth annual White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on April 8, 2013

Good Friday

I died fo you because I love you.

I love you because I made you.

I made you because I want you to be with me in Heaven.

I want you in Heaven so I died for you.

I died for you because I love you.

Holy Thursday

THE WASHING OF THE FEET

Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, was the day Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

John 13:1 Jesus knew at this time that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

This scripture explains the great love that Jesus has for humanity; and, if we continue to read further we will understand this gospel explains how Jesus taught his disciples to humble themselves and serve one another and the world by washing their feet.

THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

Holy Thursday, is the day before Good Friday. It is the day the Lord instituted the Eucharist, the day of the Last Supper. It is here, in the Upper Room, at the Passover meal that Jesus began to lay down his life for us. He separately gives us his body and then his blood explaining in Mark 14:24 …”This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”

PETER’S DENIAL IS FORETOLD

In Matthew 26 : 31, Jesus explains to the disciples that their faith will be shaken as he quotes scripture, …’I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’; and then, in Matthew 26 : 33-34 Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

Peter Denies Jesus

JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS

Mark 14 : 44 His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying. “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” Luke 22 : 48 Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

AGONY IN THE GARDEN

Jesus’s human nature allows him to agonize over the certain death that he is sure to endure. Luke 22 : 42-44 …”Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” 43 And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. 44 He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.