St. Joseph. Saturday March 19. Lent 2011.

Today is the feast day of St. Joseph.

Mary’s husband.

The foster father of Jesus.

He actually has two feat days.

One is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker and the other is St. Joseph the Husband of Mary.

Today St. Joseph is celebrated for being the husband of Mary.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of many, many things but possibly the most obvious would be the patron saint of fathers.

How beautifully this ties in with yesterday’s blog about fathers being the heads of their households.

Though we are all supposed to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, it may be slightly comforting for fathers to turn to St. Joseph as a guide for being the head of the household and a good father.

It seems less intimidating, more attainable, an easier first step.

St. Joseph was not born free from sin.

BUT the Bible does not have any account of him committing a sin which is pretty amazing.

St. Joseph definitely had the possibility or the option to sin but in his humbleness and righteousness, he chose to be a good man who very possibly did not sin.

What an outstanding person to look up to, especially for fathers!

It is hard sometime to relate oneself to God or to hold oneself up to His standards, so what about starting with St. Joseph?

For fathers to take this step and take after St. Joseph’s humility, righteousness, and goodness and apply that to their own households! 

It would be beautiful!

Let us all pray for St. Joseph’s intercession today for peace and guidance for the world but especially strength for fathers to take that first step in becoming the head of their household. Father, lead them.

Prayer to Saint Joseph for Fathers

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labor and weariness. But amid the worries of material life, your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God's Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen.

Pope John XXIII