The Cord of St. Joseph
The Cord of St. Joseph orginated in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1657 with the miraculous cure of a devout Augustinian nun named Sister Elizabeth. After a severe and painful illness lasting 3 years, the doctors gave up hope of a cure from their ministrations. They were expecting her to die.
Sister Elizabeth, however, had different ideas. As she had always been devoted to St. Joseph, she made a cord and had it blessed in St. Joseph's honour and put it around her waist. A few days later, when praying in front of his statue she was suddenly freed from all pain.
Her recovery was then deemed to be miraculous.
Eventually the devotion to the Cord spread around and many special graces were obtained through this devotion. The Cord was used not only for illnesses but also spiritual aid for purity.
This devotion was approved by the Sacred Congregation of Rites on September 19th 1859 and was also blessed an approved by Pope Pius 1X.
Graces obtained by the wearing of this Cord are:
St. Joseph's special protection.
Purity of Soul.
The grace of chastity.
Final perseverance.
Particular assistance at the hour of death.
The cord should be of thread or cotton, with seven knots at one end and should be worn around the waist. It should be blessed by a priest.
One who wears the Cord should recite the Glory be to the Father seven times daily in honour of St. Joseph, together with the Prayer for Purity as shown below.
Prayer for Purity.
O Guardian of Virgins and holy Father St. Joseph, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, 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.
There is also a page on the
which gives Prayers and information
The Cord can be purchased from the:
Leaflet Missal Company,
976 West Minnehaha Ave.,
St. Paul, MN 55104
USA. Tel: 800-328-9582 Fax 800-355-9650
E-mail: lmco@leafletmissal.org
It costs (June 2000) $3.50 with shipping (US) $1.00 and the Item number is 07182. It can be ordered on-line from The Leaflet Missal site
