Summer 2012 - The Mill Hill Missionaries

Summer 2012 Advocate:Layout 1 19/07/2012 12:14 Page 4The young Jesus with Josephby: G. von Honthorst.write about the problems that affect themdeeply. Many of these letters are very touching,as people write about their worries andtroubles with deep faith in God and great devotionto St. Joseph. All of life is there - aspeople experience it. Each letter has its ownplea for prayers and help. It can be for aloved one, who is seriously ill, or for a lovedone who has died, and for those who are leftbehind grieving for their loved one.It may be that someone is having medicaltests and is anxiously awaiting results. Parentsask for prayers for a son or daughter whohas lost the way in life through alcohol ordrugs, or getting into the wrong company –and all three can go together these days.It can be a request for prayers for a child bornwith disability and for the parents and helperswho love and care for such a child. It can besome tragedy or trauma in the family, or justthe general feeling of a need for help to copewith the ups and downs of life – which thesedays can include losing a job and trying tomake ends meet financially. There are alsoletters asking for masses and prayers ofthanksgiving for favours received.We pray for all the intentions and petitions ofour benefactors during the Novena to St.Joseph, and at a mass offered for our benefactors'intentions on each of the other daysof March. We pray for them at every masscelebrated throughout the year here in theHouse in Kilkenny, and also at our Morningand Evening Prayer.We now intend to have a Mass in honour ofSt. Joseph on the first Wednesday (8pm) ofevery month. We feel that this will enable usto continue the spirit of prayer and devotionto St. Joseph that is so strongly felt during theNovena. We also feel a need to focus moreon St. Joseph, our principal patron and advocate.Though we are generally known as the‘Mill Hill Missionaries’ our official title is:‘St. Joseph’s Missionary Society’.3