Contents The Chord of St. Joseph
Ioseph


The cord of St. Joseph originated in Antwerp, Belgium in 1657. A sister of the Order of St. Augustine had fallen seriously ill and was in the immanent danger of death. She petitioned St. Joseph to cure her and as a sign of devotion to St. Joseph, she placed around her waist a cord that had been blessed and knotted seven times (for the seven joys and seven sorrows of St. Joseph). While wearing this cord and praying earnestly, the sister found herself instantly cured.

This miracle was only the first of many for those who wore the cord of St. Joseph and asked for his aid in temporal and spiritual necessities. Pope Pius IX enriched the cord with indulgences. (There are none directly attached to it today as far as I know.) In particular the following four benefits are promised: preservation or recovery of chastity, St. Joseph's special protection, his assistance at the hour of death, and the grace of final perseverance.

On each of the knots on a chord of seven knots, recite the Minor Doxology On each of the knots on a chord of seven knots, recite the Minor Doxology
GLORIA Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
While meditating on the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph While meditating on the Seven Sorrows and the Seven Joys of St. Joseph
Sorrows
Joys
1. Dubium Sancti Ioseph
Ioseph autem vir eius cum esset iustus, et nollet eam traducere, voluit occulte dimittere eam. (Mt 1:19)
1. Nuntius Angeli
Haec autem eo cogitante, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis ei, dicens: Ioseph fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam coniugem tuam: quod enim in ea natum est, de Spiritu Sancto est. (Mt 1:20)
1. The doubt of St. Joseph
Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publically to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. (Mt 1:19)
1. The message of the Angel
But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the LORD appeared to him in his sleep, saying; Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Mt 1:20)
2. Natalis Iesu in paupertate
Et peperit filium suum primogenitum et pannis eum involvit et reclinavit eum in praesepio quia non erat eis locus in diversorio. (Lk 2:7)
2. Natalis Salvatoris
Et peperit filium suum primogenitum. (Lk 2:7)
2. The birth of Jesus in poverty
And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because; there was no room for them in the inn. (Lk 2:7)
2. The birth of the Savior
And she brought forth her firstborn son ... (Lk 2:7)
3. Circumcisio Iesu
Et postquam consummati sunt dies octo ut circumcideretur vocatum est nomen eius Iesus quod vocatum est ab angelo priusquam in utero conciperetur. (Lk 2:21)
3. Nomen sanctum Iesu
Et non cognoscebat eam donec peperit filium suum primogenitum et vocavit nomen eius Iesum. (Mt 1:25)
3. The circumcision
And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. (Lk 2:21)
3. The holy name of Jesus
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Mt 1:25)
4. Ruina multorum
Et benedixit illis Symeon et dixit ad Mariam matrem eius ecce positus est hic in ruinam et resurrectionem multorum in Israhel et in signum cui contradicetur. (Lk 2:34)
4. Resurrectio multorum
Et benedixit illis Symeon et dixit ad Mariam matrem eius ecce positus est hic in ruinam et resurrectionem multorum in Israhel et in signum cui contradicetur. (Lk 2:34)
4. That many would be lost
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and rise of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be contradicted. (Lk 2:34)
4. The rise of many
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and rise of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be contradicted. (Lk 2:34)
5. Fuga in Aegyptum
... ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis Ioseph dicens surge et accipe puerum et matrem eius et fuge in Aegyptum et esto ibi usque dum dicam tibi futurum est enim ut Herodes quaerat puerum ad perdendum eum. Qui consurgens accepit puerum et matrem eius nocte et recessit in Aegyptum. (Mt 2:13-14)
5. Onus Aegypti
... ecce Dominus ascendet super nubem levem et ingredietur Aegyptum et movebuntur simulacra Aegypti a facie eius et cor Aegypti tabescet in medio eius. (Is 19:1)
5. The flight into Egypt
...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph saying; Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt; and be there until I tell thee: For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. He arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt. (Mt 2:13-14)
5. The overthrow of idols
Behold, the LORD will ascend upon a swift cloud, and will enter into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst thereof. (Is 19:1)
6. Reditus in patriam
Audiens autem quod Archelaus regnaret in Iudaea pro Herode patre suo timuit illo ire et admonitus in somnis secessit in partes Galilaeae. (Mt 2:22)
6. Vita in Nazareth
Et ut perfecerunt omnia secundum legem Domini reversi sunt in Galilaeam in civitatem suam Nazareth. (Lk 2:39)
6. The return from Egypt
But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judaea in the place of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in his sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. (Mt 2:22)
6. Life with Mary and Jesus
And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Lk 2:39)
7. Amittens Iesum in templo
Et non invenientes regressi sunt in Hierusalem requirentes eum. (Lc 2:45)
7. Inveniens Iesum in templo
Et factum est post triduum invenerunt illum in templo sedentem in medio doctorum audientem illos et interrogantem. (Lc 2:46)
7. Losing Jesus in the temple
And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. (Lk 2:45)
7. Finding Jesus in the temple
And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. (Lc 2:46)
And then recite the following prayer to St. Joseph And then recite the following prayer to St. Joseph
VIRGINUM custos et pater, sancte Ioseph, cuius fideli custodiae ipsa Innocentia Christus Iesus et Virgo virginum Maria commissa fuit; te per hoc utrumque carissimum pignus Iesum et Mariam obsecro et obtestor, ut me, ab omni immunditia praeservatum, mente incontaminata, puro corde et casto corpore Iesu et Mariae semper facias castissime famulari. Amen GUARDIAN of virgins, and holy father Joseph, to whose faithful custody Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed; I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life. Amen


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