Thoughts
On March 19, we celebrate a very important day in the Church – the Feast of St. Joseph. We are invited for a day to put aside our Lenten penance and rejoice! We are called to honor the man chosen to raise our Savior Jesus Christ and to marry and care for the Blessed Mother of our Lord. We meditate upon Joseph’s heroic life, venerate his great virtue and pray through his intercession.
Challenge
Take time to learn more about St. Joseph. Read the passages in scripture referring to Joseph and of what saints and mystics have taught us about him. Meditate upon Joseph’s humble obedience to God’s will in spite of the hardship it would cause him. Speak to Joseph in the depths of your heart as one who has experienced what you have experienced – love, fear, joy, sorrow, hard work, domestic life, etc. Ask Joseph to intercede for your needs as a spouse and parent and in your daily work.
Go Deeper
+ Primary Bible Passages referring to St. Joseph: Matthew Chapters 1 & 2. Luke Chapter 2
+ Importance of devotion to St. Joseph
+ About the Feast of St. Joseph
+ Prayers to St. Joseph
+ St. Joseph: A theological Introduction
+ Quamquam Pluries – Papal Encyclical regarding devotion to St. Joseph
+ The Italian custom of a St. Joseph’s Day Table (tavole di San Giuseppe)
+ The Polish custom of celebrating St. Joseph’s Day (Dzien Swietego Jozefa)
+ Video: St. Joseph A Hidden Life
+ Devotion to St. Joseph as patron of a happy death
+ Pope Francis homily on St. Joseph
+ Lighthouse Catholic Media CD on St. Joseph