In his apostolic Letter Patris Corde, (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.
To mark this occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a Year of St. Joseph from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. Marion Father Donald Calloway wrote a book entitled, Consecration to Saint Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father.
In the midst of crisis, confusion, and a world often at war with the Church, Father Calloway urges individuals, couples, groups, schools, parishes, dioceses, and the entire Church to consecrate themselves to St. Joseph.
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
On March 19, we celebrated the feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus.
As Mary’s husband, Joseph protected her and young Jesus. He was also a role model to Jesus in his human nature. As a carpenter, Joseph helped to provide for Mary and Jesus and showed work’s dignity.
A friend sent me a Christmas card that he proudly created. It featured a picture of Mary lovingly holding the infant Jesus. Under the picture were the words, “Who is Missing?” His answer was St. Joseph.
When we contemplate Heaven’s saints, we may be dazzled by their color, talents, accomplishments, and holiness, but what dazzling colors do we find in St. Joseph? Not the red of martyrs, nor gold of a world leader, nor the pulpit of a great preacher, nor the scroll of a great author. He is called Joseph the Silent because he never spoke a word in Scripture. Like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph spoke volumes of good example by his wordless actions.
No other saint except Mary could say that every day for 30 years, he sat at table with young Jesus, Son of God. He watched him grow into manhood in his human nature. He taught him his prayers and the art of carpentry. Often he held young Jesus in his arms and young Jesus hugged him. Who could count the miles they traveled together or the joy they shared?
Joseph protected Mary and Jesus discreetly, humbly, and silently. He supported them with divine loyalty, even when he found it difficult and confusing.
As Mary’s spouse, he protected her on the journey to Bethlehem and in the anxious and joyful hours when she gave birth. He led and protected Jesus and Mary during their flight into Egypt, during their frantic search for young Jesus in the Temple, and later in the day-to-day life in their Nazareth home.
St. Joseph, the Worker
On May 1, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, the Worker. To foster devotion to St. Joseph, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted this feast in 1955.
This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Genesis 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. St. Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of someone who models the holiness of human labor.
In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, St. John Paul II stated: “The Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of workers, to condemn situations in which that dignity and rights are violated, and to help guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”
Pius XII held up St. Joseph as a model of workers when he wrote, “The Spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than St. Joseph, who lived with Jesus.”
St. Joseph is not only the patron saint of workers and carpenters, but he is also the patron saint of the universal church, a happy death, and the legal father of Jesus. He is the patron saint of many Catholic parishes and much more.
Father Calloway wrote, “Many countries are seeking to redefine marriage. Many men do not understand what it means to be a father, divorce rates are at an all-time high and many families are falling apart. We need St. Joseph’s loving, strong example of fatherhood to help us return order to our homes.”
Writing this article helped me realize that though a father is present, occasionally there can be conflicts between father and son that hurt both deeply. It made me thankful that I never had that problem.
On March 19, May 1, the Christmas season, and every day may we imitate St. Joseph’s loyalty and faithfulness to Jesus and his devotion to Mary.
May we ask his intercession as we work and pray and enjoy a fruitful Year of St. Joseph!
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.