The cincture, or cord, like the one priests wear at Mass, is a sign of chastity, and has been since the Church's beginning -- and before. Old Testament priests wore cinctures, consecrated Virgins and religious wear cinctures, and the wearing of cinctures in honour of a particular Saint is ancient, first spoken of in the life of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine.
The devotion to the cincture or Cord of St Joseph originated in Antwerp, Belgium in 1657. At that time there lived there an Augustinian nun of great piety, named Sr. Elizabeth, who had suffered for three years excruciating pains occasioned by a cruel distemper. She had reached such a stage that the doctors, seeing no possible recourse, declared her death to be inevitable and imminent. Sr. Elizabeth turned to Heaven, and having always been particularly devoted to St. Joseph, she asked him to intercede to Our Lord for her recovery. At the same time she had a cord blessed in the Saint's honor, girded herself with it, a few days after, as she prayed before st. Joseph's image, she felt herself suddenly free of the pain. Those who were acquainted with her illness declared her recovery miraculous; an act of authenticity was drawn up with a public notary and the doctor, who happened to be a Protestant, concurred. The miracle was recorded and published at Verona and Rome between 1810-42.
During the month of March of the latter year, the Devotion to the Cord came into existence and cords were blessed in the Church of St. Nicholas, Verona, for hospital patients.Numerous special graces were obtained and the devotion spread to France, all parts of Italy and even to America and Asia. The cord was invoked, not merely as a remedy against physical ailments, but also as a preservative of the virtue of purity.
The Bishop of Verona became aware of the necessity of addressing a supplication to the Congregation of Rites, which he did by letter on 14th January, 1859. After a mature examination the Sacred Congregation, in accordance with the request, approved on 19th September of that year, the new formula of blessing and permitted its solemn and private use. Finally the Bishop obtained for the Association of the Cord the privilege of being declared 'primarie', and at the same time His Holiness, Pope Pius IX enriched it with special indulgences.Graces
The special graces associated with the practising of the devotion of the Holy Cord of St Joseph are:The Cord and the Devotion
- The grace of Chastity and Purity
- The Special Protection of St Joseph
- The grace of Final Perseverance in our Holy Faith
- Saint Joseph's particular Assistance at the hour of our Death
The Cord itself is simply a white cord or thread of cotton knotted in 7 places. Each knot corresponds to one of the Seven Sorrows and one of the Seven Joys of St Joseph. Each knot is used to meditate on each of these contrasting experiences of St Joseph:
On each knot, the devotee meditates on the respective points and says Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen..
Sorrows Joys 1. The Doubt of St Joseph
Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publically to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. (Mt 1:19)The Message of an Angel
But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the LORD appeared to him in his sleep, saying; Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Mt 1:20)2. The Birth of Jesus in Poverty
And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because; there was no room for them in the inn. (Lk 2:7)The Birth of the Saviour
And she brought forth her firstborn son ... (Lk 2:7)3. The Circumcision of Jesus
And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. (Lk 2:21)The Holy Name of JESUS
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. (Mt 1:25)4. That Many Would Be Lost
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and rise of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be contradicted. (Lk 2:34)The Rise of Many
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and rise of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be contradicted. (Lk 2:34)5. The Flight into Egypt
...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph saying; Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt; and be there until I tell thee: For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. He arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt. (Mt 2:13-14)The Overthrow of Idols
Behold, the LORD will ascend upon a swift cloud, and will enter into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst thereof. (Is 19:1)6. The Return from Egypt
But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judaea in the place of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in his sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. (Mt 2:22)Life with Jesus and Mary
And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Lk 2:39)7. Losing Jesus in the Temple
And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. (Lk 2:45)Finding Jesus 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 asking them questions. (Lk 2:46)
Once the Glorias have been said and the meditations made, the following prayers should be prayed:
Prayer to St Joseph for Purity:
Guardian of virgins, and holy father Joseph, to whose faithful custody Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed; I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and Mary most chastely all the days of my life. Amen.
Additional Devotion
O chaste Spouse of Mary most holy, glorious St. Joseph, great was the trouble and anguish of thy heart when thou wert minded to put away privately thine inviolate Spouse, yet thy joy was unspeakable when the surpassing mystery of the Incarnation was made known to thee by the Angel! By this sorrow and this joy, we beseech thee to comfort our souls, both now and in the sorrows of our final hour, with the joy of a good life and a holy death after the pattern of thine own, in the arms of Jesus and Mary. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
O most blessed Patriarch, glorious St. Joseph, who was chosen to be the foster father of the Word made flesh, thy sorrow at seeing the Child Jesus born in such poverty was suddenly changed into heavenly exultation when thou didst hear the angelic hymn and beheld the glories of that resplendent night. By this sorrow and this joy, we implore thee to obtain for us the grace to pass over from life's pathway to hear the angelic songs of praise, and to rejoice in the shining splendor of celestial glory. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
O glorious St. Joseph, thou faithfully obeyed the law of God, and thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Precious Blood that was shed by the Infant Savior during His Circumcision, but the Name of Jesus gave thee new life and filled thee with quiet joy. By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace to be freed from all sin during life, and to die rejoicing, with the Holy Name of Jesus in our hearts and on our lips. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
O most faithful Saint who shared the mysteries of our Redemption, glorious St. Joseph, the prophecy of Simeon regarding the sufferings of Jesus and Mary caused thee to shudder with mortal dread, but at the same time filled thee with a blessed joy for the salvation and glorious which, he foretold, would be attained by countless souls. By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that we may be among the number of those, who through merits of Jesus and the intercession of Mary the Virgin Mother, are predestined to a glorious resurrection. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
O most watchful Guardian of the Incarnate Son of God, glorious St. Joseph, what toil was thine in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the most high God, especially in the flight into Egypt! Yet at the same time, how thou didst rejoice to have always near you God Himself, and to see the idols of the Egyptians fall prostrate to the ground before Him. By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us the grace of keeping ourselves in safety from the infernal tyrant, especially by flight from dangerous occasions; may every idol of earthly affection fall from our hearts; may we be wholly employed in serving Jesus and Mary, and for them alone may we live and happily die. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
O glorious St. Joseph, an angel on earth, thou didst marvel to see the King of Heaven obedient to thy commands, but thy consolation in bringing Jesus out of the land of Egypt was troubled by the fear of Archelaus; nevertheless, being assured by the Angel, thou dwelt in gladness at Nazareth with Jesus and Mary. By this sorrow and this joy, obtain for us that our hearts may be delivered from harmful fears, so that we may rejoice in peace of conscience and may live in safety with Jesus and Mary and may, like thee, die in theri company. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
O glorious St. Joseph, pattern of all holiness, when thou didst lose, through no fault of thine own, the Child Jesus, thou sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days, until with great joy, thou didst find Him again in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors. By this sorrow and this joy, we supplicate thee, with our hearts upon our lips, to keep us from ever having the misfortune to lose Jesus through mortal sin; but if this supreme misfortune should befall us, grant that we may seek Him with unceasing sorrow until we find Him again, ready to show us His great mercy, especially at the hour of death; so that we may pass over to enjoy His presence in Heaven; and there in company with thee, may we sing the praises of His Divine mercy forever. (Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be)
Antiphon: And Jesus Himself was beginning about the age of thirty, being (as it was supposed) the Son of Joseph.
V: Pray for us, O holy Joseph,
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Priest's Blessing of the Cord (1962) The priest, vested in surplice and white stole, says:
V: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R: Who made heaven and earth.
V: The Lord be with you.
R: May He also be with you.
V: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, who inculcated the counsel and love of virginity, and gave the precept of chastity, we appeal to Thy kindness, asking that Thou bless and hallow this cincture as a token of purity. Let all who gird themselves with it as a safeguard of chastity be enabled, by the prayers of Saint Joseph, spouse of Thy holy Mother, to practice that continence which is so pleasing to Thee, and to live in obedience to Thy commandments. May they also obtain pardon of their sins, health in mind and body, and flnally attain everlasting life. We ask this of Thee who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever.
R: Amen.
V: Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, grant, we pray, that those who revere the inviolate virginity of the most pure Virgin Mary and of Saint Joseph, her spouse, may by their prayers be pure in mind and body; through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen
V: Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who committed the boy Jesus and the most pure Mary, ever a Virgin, to the care of the chaste man Saint Joseph, we humbly entreat Thee that those who are girded with this cincture in honour of Saint Joseph and under his patronage may, by Thy help and his prayers, persevere in holy chastity for all time; through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
V: Let us pray.
God, the lover and restorer of innocence, we pray that Thy faithful who are to wear this cincture may, by the prayers of Saint Joseph, spouse of Thy holy Mother, have their loins girded and hold burning lamps in their hands, and thus be likened to men who wait for their Lord when He shall return for a wedding, that when He comes and knocks they may open to Him, and be found worthy of being taken into everlasting joys; through Thee who lives and reigns forever and ever.
R: Amen
Then the priest puts incense into the censer, sprinkles the cincture with holy water, and says:
Sprinkle me with hyssop, Lord, and I shall be clean of sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
After this he incenses the cincture, and continues:
V: Save Thy servants.
R: Who trust in Thee, my God.
V: Lord, send them aid from Thy holy place.
R: And watch over them from Sion.
V: Lord, heed my prayer.
R: And let my cry be heard by Thee.
V: The Lord be with you.
R: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
O God of mercy, God of goodness, Thou art pleased with all good things, and without whom no good work is begun, no good work is finished; kindly hear our prayers, and defend Thy faithful, who are to wear this blessed cincture in honour of Saint Joseph and under his protection, from the snares of this world and all its lusts. Help them to persist in their holy resolution and to obtain pardon of their sins, and thus merit to be numbered amongst Thy elect; through Christ our Lord.
R: Amen.
