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Holy Spouses Picture
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 Apart
from representations of the actual betrothal or the journey to
 Bethlehem or images of the Holy Family, rarely do we see Mary and
Joseph portrayed as husband and wife in a loving relationship.
Such visualization is helpful and even necessary to aid the imagination
of couples wishing to pattern their marriages after that of the
Holy Spouses. Fr. Franco Verri, C.S.J. has painted a suitable image, “The
Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph,” in his series for the St.
Joseph Shrine at the mother-house of the Oblates of St. Joseph
in Asti, Italy. His painting shows Mary and Joseph hand in hand
with peaceful smiles indicating the purity and joy in their hearts.
The California Oblates have adopted this picture
as the official emblem for their Holy Spouses ministry. It serves
well for holy cards, with the Holy Spouses Rosary printed on the
reverse. Couples are encouraged to hang larger framed versions
of it in their homes as a reminder of their commitment to live
their married vocation. For those couples wishing to enroll in
the Holy Spouses Society described below, there is a special enthronement
rite to be done in the home.
The rite begins with a hymn to Mary and Joseph, a
greeting, and the following introduction:
My dear brothers and sisters,
we are here this day in the house of N. and N. to enthrone
this picture of Mary and Joseph, the Holy Spouses. N. and
N. have taken them as the models and patrons of their marriage
commitment by entering the Holy Spouses Society. As members
of that society, they strive to live their marriage according
to the teachings of Jesus and his Church, especially by living
it as a vocation of love and a sacrament of unity in the
midst of the world. In this way they witness to the love
and unity that God has for and wishes for his Church and
the whole world. N. and N. know that living their marriage
in this way can be difficult. They have asked Mary and Joseph
to be their inspiration and to intercede for them so that
they can always remain faithful to God and each other by
remaining faithful to their commitment, as did Mary and Joseph,
the Holy Spouses.
A first reading and psalm response are chosen from
the selection for the marriage rite and Luke 2:41-52 is read for
the gospel. After a brief homily, the following prayer of blessing
is said:
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are the source of all life and love. You call us all
to participate in that love by loving one another, according
to our own particular vocation. You have called N. and N.
to love one another in the vocation and sacrament of marriage.
They have taken Mary and Joseph, the Holy Spouses, as models
and guides in their marriage. We ask you to bless + this
picture of these same Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph, that
it might serve as a reminder and inspiration for N. and N.
and their family, of the great love that you have for them,
of the powerful intercession and example of Mary and Joseph,
and of the need that our world has of examples of those who
make true and lasting commitments of love. We ask this...
The image is then sprinkled with holy water, as are
those present, and it is hung in the place where it is to stay
on the wall. All kneel before the image and pray some part of the
Holy Spouses Rosary. A final prayer of blessings ends the rite.
The image remains as a reminder of the enthronement and a call
to seek the intercession of the Holy Spouses and to strive to imitate
their love for each other.
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- Life Giving Love Workshop
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