Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Year of Saint Joseph, December 8, 2020 - December 8, 2021

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 40 The Proper Amount of Drink

Mass: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Resp Ps 89; Rm 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

The son of David will live forever.

JACOB WAS THE FATHER OF JOSEPH, THE HUSBAND OF MARY. OF HER WAS BORN JESUS CHRIST WHO IS CALLED THE CHRIST.

(Mt 1:16)

Happy Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

There are many things one can do to make today's celebration special, especially during this Year of Saint Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church. Here are but a few suggestions.

First, think about all those men you know who bear the name of Joseph. And women too. I think of two now of happy memory, both faithful Benedictines. They were Sister Joeine and Sister Josephine. And I know a Sister Joseph, also a faithful and still going strong Benedictine. What is at least one quality in each of them that you admire? Ask Saint Joseph to intercede for them. 

Second, pray with the Litany of Saint Joseph. You can find it many places on the web, one of which is the website for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In fact, you can find many rich resources for prayer and reflection during this year on their website. 

Third, re-read or read and reflect upon the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde With a Father's Heart of the Holy Father Francis, given on December 8, 2020. It is available too on many sites, one of which is the Vatican's website, www.vatican.va. I share with you now one of my favorite sections of the Letter, Section 7. "A father in the shadows". There, Pope Francis broadened and enriched my understanding of chastity. We are reminded that Joseph is "traditionally called a 'most chaste' father" (Mt 1:19). Pope Francis comments: "That title is not simply a sign of affection, but the summation of an attitude that is opposite of possessiveness. Chastity is freedom from possessiveness in every sphere of one's life. Only when love is chaste is it truly love ... the logic of love is always the logic of freedom, and Joseph knew how to love with extraordinary freedom. He never made himself the centre of things. He did not think of himself, but focused instead of the lives of Mary and Jesus." A lesson for all the faithful. Joseph, chaste and just, pray for us.

Fourth, get yourselves a copy of St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), The Book of Her Life (The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume One, trans. K. Kavanaugh and O. Rodriguez, ICS Publications, 1987). There in Chapter 6, 6-8, at least, you will learn about St. Teresa's devotion to St. Joseph. It is remarkable indeed. Here is a teaser found in paragraph 6:

I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph and earnestly recommended myself to him. I saw clearly that as in this need so in other greater ones concerning honor and loss of soul this father and lord of mine came to my rescue in better ways than I knew how to ask him for. I don't recall up to this day ever having petitioned him for anything that he failed to grant. It is an amazing thing the great many favors God has granted me through the mediation of this blessed saint, the dangers I was freed from both of body and soul.

Finally, I leave you with a prayer sent to me this morning by Archbishop Arthur Roche in Rome. He asked for prayer for a dear friend of his recently diagnosed with polycythemia, a type of blood cancer. Archbishop Roche wrote that the prayer was written by Saint Teresa of Avila. As he related: "She had a great trust in St. Joseph and put him in charge of the convent whenever she was on her travels! Pope Francis often passes this prayer on to people when they visit him." Let us put our trust in Saint Joseph too. 😊

O Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, who knows how to make possible the things that are impossible, come to our help in these moments of stress and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious situations and difficulties that I bring to you that they may end happily. O my most beloved father, all my confidence is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain; and since after Jesus and Mary you are so powerful show me that your goodness equals your power. Amen.

SAINT JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD,

SAINT JOSEPH, DILIGENT PROTECTOR OF CHRIST,

SAINT JOSEPH, HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus, written through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso. Prints of the icon, and others too, are available through our online store. Please visit www.redwoodsabbey.org. Thank you. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021