St. Joseph

“When you invoke St. Joseph, you don’t have to say much. Say, “If you were in my place St. Joseph, what would you do? Well, pray for this on my behalf.” ~ St. Andre’ Bessette

The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, his feast day is celebrated on March 19. We don’t know much about him except what is mentioned in the Gospels. Joseph was the husband of Mary, who is  the mother of Jesus, and protector of the Holy Family. Although he wasn’t Jesus’ birth father, he loved and taught the young  boy as if he were his own son. A wood worker, Joseph was known to have been of modest means, but always remained sincerely devoted to the practice of his faith, taking his family each year to Jerusalem for Passover.

On two occasions, he was the recipient of divine messages. Both times, he followed God’s will immediately by sheltering the Holy Family. Tradition holds that Joseph died of natural causes prior to the beginning of Jesus’ adult ministry. He is the  patron saint of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed. 

The Church encourages us to be devoted to Joseph because he is a model in the heroic practice of all virtues. We often recognize  great saints for their ability to proclaim the  faith or the extraordinary sufferings they endured during their earthly lives. And yet  in St. Joseph we find a simple man who is  humble and rock-solid in his faith.

Joseph’s silent consistency in the Bible is perhaps the greatest mark of his character, and an  important trait to emulate. In Joseph’s ability to keep his head down and work hard, provide food and shelter for Mary and  Jesus, and diligently listen for God’s will, we see the greatest path to heaven for us and  our family.

Written by: Terrie Stangl

March 15, 2021