Novena
in Preparation for Nativity of our Lord
Ninth Day
“And
Joseph also went up . . . to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was
with child.” - St. Luke 2:4
God had decreed that His Son should be born not in the house of Joseph,
but in a cavern and stable of beasts, in the poorest and most painful way that
a child can be born; and therefore He caused Caesar to publish an edict, by
which people were commanded to go and enroll themselves, every one in his own
city from whence he drew his origin. When Joseph heard this order, he was much
agitated as to whether he should take with him or leave behind the Virgin
Mother, as she was now so near childbirth. My spouse and my lady, said he to
her, on the one hand I do not wish to leave you alone; on the other, if I take
you with me, I am much afflicted at the thought of all that you will have to
suffer during this long journey, and in such severe weather. My poverty will
not permit me to conduct you with that comfort which you require. But Mary
answers him, and tries to give him courage with these words: My Joseph, do not
fear. I will go with you; the Lord will assist us. She knew, both by divine
inspiration, and also because she was well versed in the prophecy of Micheas,
that the Divine Infant was to be born in Bethlehem. She therefore takes the
swaddling-clothes, and the other miserable garments already prepared, and
departs with Joseph. “And Joseph also went up . . . to be enrolled with Mary.”
Let us now consider all the devout and holy discourses which these two holy
spouses must have held together during this journey concerning the mercy,
goodness, and love of the Divine Word, who was shortly to be born, and to
appear on the earth for the salvation of men. Let us also consider the praises,
the benedictions, the thanksgivings, the acts of humility and love, which these
two illustrious pilgrims uttered by the way. This holy Virgin, so soon to
become a mother, certainly suffered much in so long a journey, made in the
midst of winter, and over rough roads; but she suffered with peace and with
love. She offered to God all these her trials, uniting them to those of Jesus,
whom she carried in her womb. Oh, let us unite ourselves also, and let us accompany
Mary and Joseph in the journey of our life; and, with them, let us accompany
the King of Heaven, who is born in a cave, and makes His first appearance in
the world as an infant, but as the poorest and most forsaken infant that ever
was born amongst men. And let us beseech Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, that, through
the merits of the pains which they suffered in this journey, they would
accompany us in the journey that we are making to eternity. Oh, blessed shall
we be if, in life and in death, we keep company with, and are always accompanied
by, these three great personages!
AFFECTIONS AND PRAYERS
My beloved Redeemer, I know that in this journey Thou wast
accompanied by hosts of angels from heaven; but on this earth who was there
that bore Thee company? Thou hadst but Joseph and Mary who carried Thee with
her. Refuse not, O my Jesus, that I also accompany Thee. Miserable ungrateful
sinner that I have been, I now see the injuries I have done Thee; Thou didst
come down from heaven to make Thyself my companion on earth, and I by my
frequent offences have ungratefully abandoned Thee! When I remember, O my
Saviour, that for the sake of my own cursed inclinations I have often separated
myself from Thee and renounced Thy friendship, I could wish to die of sorrow.
But Thou didst come into the world to forgive me; therefore forgive me now, I
beseech Thee, for I repent with all my soul of having so often turned my back
upon Thee and forsaken Thee. I purpose and hope, through Thy grace, never more
to leave or separate myself from Thee, O my only love: My soul has become enamored
of Thee, O my amiable Infant God. I love Thee, my sweet Saviour; and since Thou
hast come upon earth to save me and to dispense to me Thy graces, I ask this
one only grace of Thee, permit me not to be ever again separated from Thee.
Unite me, bind me to Thyself, enchain me with the sweet cords of Thy holy love.
O my Redeemer and my God, who will then have the heart to leave Thee, and to
live without Thee, deprived of Thy grace? Most holy Mary, I come to accompany
thee in this journey; and thou, O my Mother, cease not to accompany me in the
journey that I am making to eternity. Do thou assist me always, but especially
when I shall find myself at the end of my life, and near that moment on which
will depend either my remaining always with thee to love Jesus in paradise, or
my being forever separated from thee and hating Jesus in hell. My Queen, save
me by thy intercession; and may my salvation be to love thee and Jesus forever,
in time and in eternity. Thou art my hope; I hope Everything from thee.
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