Devotions
The following are the range of traditional devotions that have always been part of the Josephite way of life. There are many contemporary resources available.
Eucharist
We believe the Eucharist is our highest act of worship and a priority in our lives. As for all Catholics, the Mass is central to how we understand ourselves and our role in the Church.
For some Sisters, the reality of living in isolated, rural areas dictates that they may find themselves living in parishes that do not have daily or even weekly Eucharist, as was the case in our early history. Sisters continue to co-operate with others to enable the community of believers to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word with Communion.
All Josephites seek to live in an Eucharistic way aware of the gift of God’s presence in our world and open to sharing life with all in need.
Sacred Heart
Both our founders, Fr Julian Tenison Woods and Mother Mary MacKillop, prayed constantly to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We would say the Sacred Heart manifests to us the unconditional love of God.
For more information click here.
John the Baptist
As the cousin of Jesus and the one who prepared the way for His coming, John the Baptist is a patron of our congregation. Like him, the Sisters’ presence and activity points to the Presence of Jesus within us and in all other people.
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Joseph
Our congregation takes its name and ethos from Joseph, the husband of Mary, foster-father of Jesus, carpenter, patron of families and workers. Joseph, humble and just, took Mary as his wife when he could not have possibly understood her pregnancy. Joseph saved Mary from embarrassment. His faith was real and practical.
Phrases from Mary MacKillop’s letter of 1893 speak about St Joseph:
His was a quiet humility.
It was a humility grounded in the Will of God.
A humility that trusted and depended on God completely.
It was a humility of heart not words.
It was a humility that didn’t hinder him putting himself forward. (courage)
It was a humility that obeyed the inspiration from God.
It was a humility that could withstand what others might say.
March 19th marks an annual day of celebration for Josephites.
Mary
Mary of Nazareth is the mother of God’s Son, Jesus, who was born like us in human form and was both God and man. Moved by the Holy Spirit, Mary models for us an abiding listening to God’s Word, a loving relationship with her Son and an embrace of all peoples and their needs. Prayers to Mary include the Rosary and the Magnificat. And have always been part of our tradition.
The Cross
Suffering and failure featured often in the story of our founders and our history – like it does in most people’s ordinary lives. The Cross reminds us of Jesus’ journey to Calvary; his suffering and death. The point of it was to show that death is not the end. Death leads to life.
Mary MacKillop took as her name in religion, Mary of the Cross, and her life witnesses to Josephites a way in which love for God and love for people can come together in the positive acceptance of the sufferings that are part of life.
As people who live under the Southern Cross this symbolises for us and the first proples our place, our land and the hope that flows from this. The fourteen Stations of the Cross are a means of prayer and reflection particularly in Lent. Sister Helen Barnes rsj has prepared a modern reflection on the Cross and the stations in everyday life.
Resources
A range of resources is available with contemporary expressions of the Prayer of the Church associated with these devotions. For more information click here.
Other prayers are also available here.
