BIBLE READINGSFOR THE WEEK
ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY
– (March 19
th
)
Although we know little about St. Joseph, what we doknow shows what extraordinary trust was placed in him as theguardian of Mary and Jesus. Because of his role in the HolyFamily he is the patron of families. Outwardly there wasnothing unusual about Joseph’s daily life, and so manyCatholics can identify with his ordinary labors as a carpenterand his devoted care for his family. We know that he was astrong man, a pure man, a prayerful man, and a wise one.Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus’ public life, at Hisdeath, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph probablyhad dies before Jesus entered public ministry. Joseph is the patron of the dying because, assuming hedied before Jesus’ public life, he died with Jesus & Mary close tohim, the way we all would like to leave this earth. Joseph is also patron of the universal Church, fathers,carpenters, & social justice.We celebrate two feast days for Joseph: March 19
th
for Joseph the Husband of Mary and May 1
st
for Joseph the Worker. There is much we wish we could know about Joseph –where and when he was born, how he spent his days, when andhow he died. But Scripture has left us with the most importantknowledge: who he was – “a righteous man” (Matthew 1:18)
Prayer:Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church, watchover the Church as carefully as you watched over Jesus,help protect it and guide it as you did with youradopted son.Amen
- Excerpted from The Book of Catholic Customs & Traditions – Ronda
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