There probably could not be a worse time, (I understand that it is virtually impossible to secure a mortgage from banks these days so there are few buyers out there), but my house is on the market and has been since the end of May.

If it is the Lord's will, and through the intercessions of St. Joseph and St. Xenia of Petersburg, please, in your charity could you help me by offering a little prayer for a buyer...it will probably need a miracle. I haven't even had one offer yet.

I will buy a St. Joseph statue, but I will not bury it, as that seems superstitious and disrespectful to me. I will place him in a gazebo in the garden. What do you think?

Thank you.

In Christ,
Alice

Alice,

Prayers that you may sell your home!

Yes I agree - Saint Joseph will be a great help and yes, I agree, burying him upside down (I think that is the traditional way of doing it) is just downright disrespectful! Don't forget to turn three times to the East, three times to the West and do the Hokey Pokey...after all, that is what it's all about!

We've been moving into our new place all week. Gee I'm tired of moving! I'm putting the finishing touches on our new chapel, though, which is great fun. It is dedicated to Saint Michael, since we have so many military families nearby.

God bless you and your family.

In ICXC,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

Alice, praying that your house will sell. To give you hope.. It does happen as our older (45) daughter's sold recently after four months on the market. She and her family have now moved into a new home which they were able to finance.

Because of what was happening to the housing market-- I really had my doubts but she believed the Lord would come through and He did by sending just the right buyer. I pray the same for you. He is concerned about everything regarding us..even counting the hairs on our head just like he cares for the sparrows..

In the Name of Jesus..praying as I type. Amen.

When we put our house on the market, our Realtor said we really needed to think about taking down all the icons outside the bedrooms, that it might turn people off. She said she knew us well enough to know that we wouldn't do it, but she was professionally obligated to make the recommendation.

I said that on the other hand, the icons might be just the encouragement someone needed to make an offer. And that is what happened: Our first home was purchased by a Russian Orthodox family (from Kiev), who was buying their first American home. They were leery of the whole procedure, but when they saw St. Nicholas, they knew it would be okay (the buyer's first name was Nikolai).

Having said that...

May the blessed Theotokos, St. Joseph, and all the saints of heaven bless your home; may the laughter and love and faith that have filled it for these many years shine like a beacon in the night, beckoning the new owners to find their way to you. (Quickly and at full price )

AMEN to all the prayers above.

Lord of the Powers be with us, for in times of distress we have no other help but You.
Lord of the Powers, have mercy on Alice and her family, sending them a buyer for their home.
Especially one that believes in your Dear Lord and the power of prayer.

Also, I found this with instructions for St. Joseph, which is a lot better than most. The person gives a beautiful testimony.

Procedure for burying a St. Joseph statue when selling a home:

1.
Make a hole in the ground that is large enough to bury the St. Joseph statue (in protective wrap) vertically.
2.
Place the statue upside down in the ground.
3.
Face the upside down statue TOWARDS the home that is to be sold.
4.
For nine consecutive days, pray the St. Joseph Novena included here.
5.
Once the home is sold, remove the statue from the ground.
6.
Display the statue in a place of honor in the new home.

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Come to my aid, O God. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all good gifts, I come before you to honor you in your saints and ask their help in my many needs.

You promised those who ask, would receive, those who seek, would find, those who knock, would have doors opened to them.

Hear the prayers of your church, grant my requests, and pardon my sins. Amen.

St. Joseph, just and true, with a father's care you raised the child Jesus, and with a husband's love, you shared your life with Mary, his mother.

I entrust myself to your care and place in your hands this request of mine (say request)….

In quiet Nazareth, long ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to your heart and you followed God's will with wonderful faith.

In the quiet of my days, and in the hard choices I must make, help me follow the Spirit's guidance and believe when I cannot see.

Day 1 Oh God, guide of those who listen and helper of those who hear your voice, speak to me, as you did to St. Joseph, and help me accomplish the things you give me to do .

Day 2 O God, you love your people and bless the ordinary lives we quietly live. As you blessed St. Joseph, bless what I do, however hidden and simple it may be, and let all I do be done with love.

Day 3 O God, ever faithful, you remember us always and in time reveal your blessings. Help me trust in you, as St. Joseph faithfully trusted, and never let me lose faith in the wonderful gifts you promise me.

Day 4 God of families, bless the family that's mine. Keep us safe from harm, and never let evil come between us. Let peace remain in our hearts.

Day 5 O God, who loves children, be kind to our children today. Give them eyes of faith for seeing far, a loving heart for welcoming life, and a place always at your side.

Day 6 God of our heavenly home, bless our home on earth. Let the spirit of Mary and Joseph rest at our table, shape our words and actions, and bring blessing to our children.

Day 7 God, our Father, give your fatherly spirit to those who are fathers now. Like Joseph, give them hearts of devoted love for their wives and children and strength for forgiveness and patience.

Day 8 Give shelter, O God, to those who need it, and bring together families divided. Give us enough to eat, and decent work to earn our bread. Care for us, O God.

Day 9 Bless all families, O Lord especially those in need. Remembering the life of your Son, we pray for the poor, for those who lack a good home, for those in exile. Grant them a protector like Joseph, O God.

To conclude this novena, say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
http://www.stjosephsite.com/SJS_Prayer_To%20sell%20a%20home.htm

Maybe you have a little icon or statue you could place in the gazebo. Sounds like a peaceful corner which might appeal to many people. The realtor's thought about not having things too "busy" is probably good. But personally I would not want to remove all religious symbols from my home. This will be just what makes the right buyer feel "at home!" Having spent some time in Italy, seeing their lovely landscaping, makes me think a small statue of St. Joseph in a garden or gazebo might just clinch a sale!

-Pustinik
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"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved." –St. Serafim of Sarov

I'll definately pray for you and the sale of your house. My parent's just sold their home after having it on the market for fourteen months. It was insane.

Prayers...

james

ALICE:

You and your intentions remain in my daily prayers.

BOB

My prayers