Rosary Devotions - Day 15 - The Finding 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 answering them questions." - Luke 2:46

As we recite the final decade of the JOYFUL mysteries our attention is arrested by the wonderful picture presented to our minds. There is the Boy - JESUS - surrounded by the learned doctors of sacred scripture. After their three days of weary and sorrowful search for Him, the ears of Joseph and Mary are blessed with the music of His voice answering w4th wisdom the questions of His seniors; and their eyes are dififused with tears of gladness at the renewed vision of His divine face. If grief over His loss was bitter to the hearts of Joseph and Mary, with what refreshing sweetness has His Finding in. the Temple comforted them? The search was long and weary and sorrowful, the finding, replete with joy and comfort.

O Mother, dry those bitter tears!
O Mother, grieve no more!
Thy Child, thy Jesus is not lost,
That weary search is o'er;
To do His Father's work, He chose
Among the scribes to be;
But now returns to dwell for years
With Joseph and with thee.

Monday - The Joyful Mysteries

Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. – 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.

- text taken from The Rosary Devotions for Every Day by Father Mark J Smith, SJ, International Catholic Truth Society, 1924; audio is from Rosary Army