- Justin Haggerty | The Daily Knight
Catholic Fatherhood: Head of the Family
Justin Haggerty | The Daily Knight
Inspired by Pope Francis' declaration of 2021 as the 'Year of St. Joseph,' The Daily Knight will produce weekly articles to share and clarify the vocation of 'Catholic Fatherhood.' Our mission, at the Sacred Military Order of Knights of the Republic and the Most Victorious Heart of Jesus, is to defeat modernism, the synthesis of all heresies, in the domestic church (the family), the parish, and society at large. Building your domestic church is the quintessential foundation for fostering the faith and rebuilding Christendom.
Prayer to St. Joseph by Pope Leo XIII:
To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. Through that charity which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which thou embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg thee to graciously regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with thy power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once thou rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by thy constant protection, so that, supported by thy example and thy aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holy, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
~ From the Raccolta #476 & Enchridion #6.
The Head of the Family
The following text is from Fr. Patrick Troadec's The Catholic Family.
For many people today, the term "head of the family" seems old-fashioned.
Marie Giral, in her book, Les Adulescents (Adolescents), writes that:
Men have lost their status as head of the family and as head at all. The psychiatrist Jacques-Antoine Malarewicz speaks of "men's extraordinary dependence on women, who organize and plan not only family life but also the life of the couple." In couples who cultivate equality, men are more and more in a position of submission, especially when the women have "a strong personality."
It will not be superfluous to recall the Church's position on this matter...we shall simply quote Pope Pius XII who, after briefly recalling this role of the head, describes the specific nature of a man's mission towards his wife in the following terms:
What delicacy, what respect, what affection must not your authority show and practice in all circumstances, joyful or sad, towards the women you have chosen as your life companion! "Let your orders," added St. Augustine, "have the gentleness of advice and obedience will raw courage and comfort from the advice."
Follow the example of St. Joseph. He contemplated the most Blessed Virgin Mary, who was better, holier, and higher than him; a sovereign respect made him venerate in her the Queen of angels and men, the Mother of his God; and yet, he remained in his position as head of the family and neglected none of the obligations this title imposed upon him.
Consequently, if the husband is head of the household (I Cor. 11:3), he must accomplish this role, this duty, this charge, with great delicacy. What is more, he is called to have for his wife a dedication comparable to that of Christ for the Church (Eph. 5:25). In this authority and affection are reconciled.
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (I Cor. 11:3)
Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord: Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it: (Eph. 5:22-25)
Priest, Prophet, and King of the Home (Domestic Church)
The following text is from Will Wright's article, "The Power of the Father's Blessing," on Catholic.net.
A Baptized man shares in the offices of Christ of priest, prophet, and king. A Baptized man who is the father of children is a priest, prophet, and king in a particular way. His house is his domestic church and his children are the flock that he shepherds. So, what does this mean: prophet, king, and priest?
As a prophet in his domestic church, a father is called to teach and speak truth into the life of his family. Both with his words and deeds, a father must set the tone. A prophet does not necessarily see the future, but He trusts in the call of the Lord and heeds that call.
As a king in his domestic church, a father must exemplify kingship by modeling Christ’s kingship. Christ’s throne is the Cross and He models His kingship by washing the feet of His Apostles. Therefore, a father models Christ by serving his wife and children in love.
As a priest in his domestic church, a father sanctifies and guides his children. He sacrifices for his children and teaches them to prayer and how to live. As a priest, a father has authority over his children in the physical and the spiritual realm. As priests in the domestic church, fathers can bless their children.
Consecrate The Family to the Holy Family
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be, three times. ~ The Prayer Book, 1954
Indulgence of 500 days; plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this prayer is repeated with devotion every day for a month. (706)
In Christ Crucified and the Most Victorious Heart of Jesus.
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