The celebration of St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus Christ and the husband of Mary is upon us this Friday, March 19th. Devotion to St. Joseph among Catholics is strong and rightfully so. In Scripture, St. Joseph never speaks a word. Yet there he is; as Mary's betrothed hearing the news that Mary is with child by the power of the Holy Spirit, being spoken to in a dream by an angel, accepting the message and taking Mary as his wife, traveling with Mary to Bethlehem, being present at the birth of the Savior of the world, taking the child to Egypt for safety, bringing Jesus to the Temple for his presentation and then searching frantically for the older Jesus who remained behind in the temple. And Scripture says Jesus lived with Joseph and Mary and grew in wisdom and age and favor.
Devotion to St. Joseph is as old as the Church and fitting when one realizes that God selected St. Joseph for his important mission. He is a great example to all who are living out and/or discerning their vocation because he was faithful to his own vocation. And of course Jospeh's family tree played a prominent role in linking Old Testament prophecy about Jesus to his Kingship.
St. Joseph is the patron saint for the church, the working men and women of the world, the patron of a happy death and of course foster families. One of the more popular traditions in honor of St. Joseph is the construction of elaborate St. Joseph Altars with traditional foods and cookies.
So we celebrate this wonderful Saint and we ask for his powerful intercession. As we honor St. Joseph tomorrow we can join with the entire church in this prayer:
Father, you entrusted our savior to the care of Saint Joseph. By the help of his prayers may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
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