Questions about the Sodality of St Joseph:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why a men’s rosary group?
Why St. Joseph?

We follow St. Joseph because “The life of man upon earth is a warfare (Job 7:1)”

In the spiritual war against sin, vice, and the devil, we follow our Captain; St. Joseph – whose chastity, faith and humility are the terror of demons. 

This spiritual platoon proclaims Our Lady’s Psalter, the Holy Rosary, as the weapon and the answer for these dark, turbulent times.

Onward Soldiers of Christ!

To conquer sin.
To conquer vice.
To grow in virtue.
To grow in holiness.

With his Blessed Mother Mary, and her most chaste spouse St. Joseph, we proclaim,
AVE CHRISTUS REX! Hail Christ the King! 

Why 8pm? Isn’t that kind of Late?

By 8 pm, most of us have had our supper, spent some time with family and had a chance to finish the day’s work. Those with young children have likely put them to bed.

By scheduling our weekly Rosary later in the evening, we aim to accommodate new or young fathers with children, younger men in university or high school. We are looking to build a community of men serious about going to heaven. We exclude no man, but we target the younger generation to encourage them to pray the Rosary and pick up their crosses.

Why pray the Rosary together every week?

We pray the Rosary together every week to:

  1. To increase in spiritual strength and discipline!
    The rosary is an accessible way to build up a consistent prayer life which helps the men to focus on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Meeting weekly provides an anchor and a reminder to keep praying the Rosary!
  2. To deepen our relationships with Jesus through Mary!
    – We invoke Mary’s intercession for help with our struggles that we face in our vocations and family lives.
  3. To build friendships and community with our brothers in Christ:
    The rosary is the common ground where the men from different backgrounds and lived experiences can build each other up.
  4. To encourage Spiritual Leadership and Witness at home:
    By praying the rosary, the men act as spiritual leaders within their families, workplaces, and communities. A public commitment to prayer shows younger generations an excellent model of faith, discipline, and reliance on God.
  5. To increase in Humility:
    The rosary invites men to reflect on virtues like humility, charity, patience, and perseverance. Weekly meetings provide an intentional space to reset and refocus on these virtues, aiming for life long spiritual growth and focus on Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Why pray the Rosary at the Cathedral?
  1. Sacred and Inspiring Atmosphere: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a consecrated, awe-inspiring space designed for worship. Its architecture, stained glass, and sacred art honoring Mary create an atmosphere that deepens reverence and focus during the rosary.
  2. Connection to the Catholic Community: As the mother church of our diocese, this cathedral symbolizes the unity of the Catholic community. Praying the rosary here is a reminder that we are part of a larger, shared faith tradition.
  3. Richness of Tradition and History: This cathedral stands as a testament to generations of faith and devotion. Praying the rosary in such a historic setting connects participants to centuries of Catholic tradition and the many faithful who have prayed there before.
  4. Strengthened Commitment and Routine: Making the effort to come together in the cathedral adds a sense of purpose and commitment to the practice, reinforcing the intention to set aside sacred time with God.
  5. A Special Devotion to Mary: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is dedicated to Mary, making it an especially meaningful place for the rosary, which is rooted in her intercession. The beauty of the cathedral heightens the experience, allowing a deeper focus on the mysteries of Christ through Mary’s guidance.

While the rosary can be prayed anywhere and it should! Our group is blessed that we get to pray inside the Cathedral… this communal setting enhances reverence, tradition, and connection to our Catholic patrimony.

Why pray some decades in Latin? Latin is a dead language!
  1. Latin has been the language of the Roman Catholic Church since the very beginning.  The earliest Masses offered in the Catacombs of Italy were offered in Latin.
  1. There is an element of mystery about Latin – it is a sacramental that conveys to the people that there is something beyond human comprehension, that a mystery is being enacted.
  1. Latin is a holy language. It is one of the 3 languages affixed to the Cross of our Lord, along with Greek and Hebrew.  Throughout history, we see both jew and gentile making use of a language that the people didn’t speak in.  The Jews used Hebrew, whereas the vernacular was mostly Aramaic or Greek.  In the same way, we use Latin.
    1. Latin is a safeguard because of its immutability. It’s only used in praying, making the prayers even more intentional, and special.

    “If there are some present who do not understand what is being said or sung, they know at least that all is said and sung to the glory of God, and that is sufficient for them to join in it devoutly.” – St. Augustine