As the head of the holy family, St. Joseph loved with no limits. Spouse of the Mother of God and foster father of Jesus, he has many wonderful titles: terror of demons, believer of miracles, follower of dreams, and lover of simplicity, to name a few. We celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19, but the whole month is dedicated to him.
His carpentry skills were put to good use and helped him in forming Jesus who was obedient to him. He protected his family in their travels and in daily life. Many pictures of St. Joseph portray him with what looks like a cane but is really a staff or a lance, for he is known to be the terror of demons. With his virtue he can combat Satan, keeping his family from harm.
Knowing Joseph’s strength of character and how he protected his family makes me reach out to him in prayer to intercede for my family and for me.
When he heard in a dream of Mary conceiving a son through the Holy Spirit, he believed in this incredible miracle. He didn’t doubt the power of God, for he himself is a temple of the Eternal Spirit.
St. Joseph inspires me to believe in God’s providence and abundance of grace and mercy. God loves each of us with such a passion. He sent his son to be taken care of by St. Joseph. This foster father is a gift to us as he was to Mary and Jesus.
I find comfort in his fatherhood and sacrificial manhood. St. Joseph was a man of integrity. When he awoke from his dream with the angel telling him to take Mary as his wife, he did as the angel instructed him. He followed God’s will with attentiveness to the dream he received as he slept at night. “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
“For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a)
His love for simplicity is a testament to living a balanced life. He probably made beautiful things from wood and built sturdy homes. He would have taught Jesus his trade with attention to detail and dedication to a job well done.
How can we imitate the holiness of St. Joseph? First, we can call upon him to help us live lives of virtue. He is a role model of purity and righteousness. We cannot do anything without the strength of God’s help. To be the true likeness of God, we must be holy. St. Joseph can show us how.
We know he was faithful and lived a life with Mary and Jesus which shows us how to be human. He is a true icon of God the Father.
St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travellers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people. He brings us the joy of being a child of God.
He shows us a way we can respond to God’s call by living simply, believing in miracles, and following the dream God has for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
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