Questions about the Sodality of St Joseph:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why a men’s rosary group?
Men need to pray the Rosary together with other Catholic men, because our society is pagan, godless, and sinful.
It is a difficult walk out there; at times the light of Christ can seem dim, and we need good examples to follow.
Praying the Rosary together helps us keep our eyes fixed on the light of Christ in the mysteries of the Rosary, meditating on them and growing in love and devotion to Our Lord through His Blessed Mother Mary, ever Virgin.
Kneeling with our rosaries in hand, side by side with men, other soldiers of Christ, we become a spiritual platoon.
Like any group of men in a combat unit, the intense sense of spiritual danger from our sins, the reality of Hell, and the constant struggle for holiness and virtue draws us closer together as we beg God for the graces we need to become the men—the Saints—He is calling us to be.
So we call out to our fellow man: join us in praying the Rosary weekly. Strive with us to live the Catholic Faith in our daily lives, as gentlemen and as soldiers for Christ. Ave Christus Rex!
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:
- 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! - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Why Pray the Most Holy Rosary?
Quotations below from The Secret of the Rosary by St Louis De Montford:
For courage in the hardships of life.
“…a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary,…”-Pope Leo XIII
For healing the evils of our day.
“We do not hesitate to affirm again publicly that we put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils which afflict our times.” – Pope Pius XII
A means for preserving the home.
“…There is no surer means of calling down God’s Blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary.” – Pope Pius XII
“If families will but listen to my message and give our Lady ten minutes of their twenty-four hours by reciting the daily Family Rosary, I assure them that their homes will become, by God’s Grace, peace prayerful places – little heavens, which God the Author of home life has intended they should be!” – Father Peyton (The Rosary priest)
For success in one’s vocation in life.
“…I think that I did not miss a single day in reciting it it, including the most terrible times of battle when I had no rest night or day. How often did I see her manifest intercession in the decisions which I made choosing a precise tactic. Take, then, the advice of an old solider seasoned by experience: Do not neglect the recitation of the Rosary for any reason.” – Marshal Foch, a great military leader of WWI
As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith.
“…We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not in the least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error.” – Pope Leo XIII
For final perseverance.
“…Those who say it fervently and frequently will gradually grow in grace and holiness and will enjoy the special protection of Our Lady and the abiding friendship of God. No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary – either he will give up sin or he will give up the Rosary.” – Bishop Hugh Boyle
A means of Christian perfection.
“…Therefore we are sure that Our children and all their brethren throughout the world will turn (the Rosary) into a school for learning true perfection, as, with a deep spirit of recollection, they contemplate the teachings that shine forth from the life of Christ and of Mary Most Holy.” – Pope John XXIII
As a powerful means of obtaining graces from God.
“…Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been favoured by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary.” – Pope Pius IX
For world peace.
“…Say the Rosary every day, to obtain peace for the world.” – Our Lady of Fatima, 1917
