In following the papal tradition that designated the Year of Faith, Year of the Eucharist and the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has established the Year of St. Joseph, which began December 8, 2020. In doing so, he has recognized St. Joseph’s 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation (made by Pope Pius IX) as patron of the Universal Church.
Pope Francis did this so “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.”[i]
The current world health crisis prompted Pope Francis to reflect on St. Joseph, who protected Mary and Jesus. He encourages us to be like Joseph and go without pageantry to minister to those in need. Pope Francis also wanted to focus on St. Joseph as a father who served his family with charity and humility, adding, “Our world today needs fathers.”[ii]
During this Year of St. Joseph, Catholics have the opportunity to obtain a special plenary indulgence by doing certain acts such as praying the rosary with their family. Note that confession, Communion, and prayer for the pope’s intentions must accompany these acts to obtain any plenary indulgence.
According to the decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary on Dec. 8, 2020, there are 15 ways to receive an indulgence in the Year of St. Joseph. Here are a few:
- Participate in a spiritual retreat for at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph.
- Pray for St. Joseph’s intercession for the unemployed that they might find dignifying work.
- Follow St. Joseph’s example in performing a corporal work of mercy. These include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the imprisoned, visiting the sick, and burying the dead.
- Perform one of the spiritual works of mercy, such as comforting the sorrowful, counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, admonishing the sinner, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving injuries, and praying for the living and the dead.
In a recent publication of the Beacon[iii], Bishop Sweeney mentioned he has already begun to work with diocesan leaders to formulate a plan for ways the Diocese can share in the blessings and graces of this Holy Year. While the plan is being developed, Bishop Sweeney suggests visiting Fr. Don Calloway’s website and perhaps reading his book; “The Consecration of St. Joseph.”
At St. Elizabeth’s, we plan to offer a monthly reflection during this year that will focus on some aspect of St. Joseph that we hope you will find inspiring.
Also, please enjoy the video of Joseph’s Song, performed by Ralph Meola, accompanied by Ann Majewski.
St. Joseph – A Father in the Shadows
Not much is written in the Gospels about St. Joseph except in the infancy narratives of Matthew
and Luke. Luke also mentions St. Joseph in the account of the finding in the temple, when the
Lord Jesus was 12 years of age. The Gospels are silent about the Holy Family’s life in Nazareth
and St. Joseph’s presence during the public ministry of Jesus. However, during Jesus’ public
ministry, people who refused to believe him and his works tried to put the him down by
referring to him either as the carpenter, the carpenter’s son or Joseph’s son.
We are familiar with the vital role given to St. Joseph in God’s plan for our salvation. When
Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child
of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, unwilling to put her to shame, planned to send her away quietly. But
the angel of the Lord said to him in a dream not to fear to take Mary as his wife for the baby
she conceived is of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18-20). By taking Mary as his wife, St. Joseph
became the foster father of Jesus and the protector of the Holy Family. We can glean from the
accounts of Matthew and Luke that St. Joseph provided Mary and Jesus with the selfless love,
devotion, care and protection of a husband and a father.
Fathers and mothers are both essential to the development of their child’s total well-being. Our
parents not only influence who we will become, but how we relate to others and the world as
well. A father is instrumental in shaping the character of his child. This is probably the reason
why God selected a righteous man like St. Joseph to become the foster father of his Incarnate
Son. Jesus’ human qualities of humility, integrity, living by his principles and values, self-
discipline, accountability, industry – must have been influenced in a major way by St. Joseph.
Similarly, St. Joseph along with Mary would certainly have been the primary model for the child
Jesus in the spiritual qualities of holiness, righteousness, obedience and faithfulness to the Law.
Luke 2:51-52, Jesus is described as being obedient to his parents – the obedience of love, and
that he “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
In Mark 6:3, people from Nazareth where the Holy Family lived referred to Jesus as a carpenter.
Since St. Joseph was also described in Matthew 13:55 as a carpenter, we can say with
confidence that Jesus learned the trade from his foster father. Before his public ministry, Jesus
was presumably engaged in building physical structures using the carpentry skills he learned
from St. Joseph. Starting with his public ministry and continuing until now, the work of Jesus
moved to the spiritual realm of building his Church (Matthew 16:18). Recognizing that Jesus is
the Master Builder, Paul uses the construction metaphor to describe this work in Ephesians
2:19-22 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-14. Even in this, we can also detect the influence of St. Joseph,
the builder Jesus learned from.
I had a St. Joseph figure in my life: my paternal grandfather. I am the eldest child in a single-
parent home headed by my Mom. My Dad was practically absent when I was a child. My
paternal grandfather, sensing his grandchildren’s need for their father, provided the paternal
love and attention I and my siblings craved for in his son’s absence.
My happiest childhood memories have to do with times I shared with my Mom or with my
grandfather. My saddest memory was the day my grandfather died when I was 10 years old.
I don’t remember much of my toddler years, but old family pictures tell some of the story. In
one, I was teary eyed with my grandfather carrying me in his arms. I must have fallen and hurt
myself, and my grandfather picked me up to comfort and reassure me. Another picture showed
me beaming in cowboy attire standing next to a wooden horse. My Mom said that the clothes
and toy were my grandfather’s gifts. Still another picture was of my grandfather and me with
several of his friends seated around a table in a restaurant. I was right next to my grandfather,
with an ice cream cup in front of me, the only child in a gathering of elderly men.
I do have vivid memories of the times I spent with my grandfather when I past toddler age. By
then, he had retired from his public service office. He gave me the weekend task of feeding the
chicken layers in his backyard poultry farm. Thus he taught me about work and responsibility.
As his eldest grandchild, he also gave me the responsibility for keeping my younger siblings and
cousins safe and well-behaved while playing in the backyard - by being a good example to
them. Thus he taught me about leadership.
I recall accompanying my grandfather to his downtown meetings with friends over coffee. All
along the way, he would be stopped by well-wishers who wanted to say hello or shake his hand.
I was mystified by this, until I learned later on that those people were appreciative of his record
of integrity in public service.
As I grew older, I recall that my grandfather would speak to me about the importance of
developing a good character, of honesty and hard work, and of the value of developing
friendships based on trust and respect. He believed in having a good Catholic education. He was
instrumental in the decision to send me to the Catholic school that he himself attended from
grade school to college.
Like all growing boys, I had my share of misbehavior that required the application of discipline. I
recall being disciplined in love by my grandfather whenever I did something wrong, and
affirmed whenever I did something good. He emphasized that good deeds are a good way to
honor and love God and parents.
I now realize that it was through my grandfather’s love and attention that I first experienced
the love of God the Father. It was my grandfather who helped me develop my earliest
relationship with Father God.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of my grandfather, who reminds me of the fatherly love and
care that St. Joseph provided you, while remaining “in the shadows.” My grandfather was
always Grandpa to me, but he loved me just like a son. Thank you, Father God, for my
grandfather whose heart overflowed with your love.
-Richard de la Fuente
++++++++++
St Joseph: A man of humility and courage
I’ve always thought it strange that the Gospels say so little about St. Joseph. Luke and John each
mention St. Joseph only once. Mark doesn’t mention Joseph at all. I think about Joseph’s role in Jesus’s
life and feel that perhaps these writers could have told us a little more about him. It’s Matthew that
tells us the most about Jesus’s adoptive father, and from Matthew we see the great humility of St.
Joseph.
Matthew tells us that Joseph was a righteous man, and we learn that he was a caring and respectful
husband to Mary. And we see that Joseph listened to God’s messengers, the angels, and did as he was
told when first he was told to take Mary into his home, then to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, then to
return to Israel and finally to go to Galilee. What tremendous faith, what incredible trust Joseph had, to
hear and act on instructions that come from an angel in a dream. Joseph humbly accepted and acted
on instructions that came from God through a messenger, an angel, and not directly from God
appearing before him, like Moses and many of the prophets. We are not told, but I think Joseph did not
have the “big picture;” that is, he did not know that this baby he was caring for was the Son of God, and
our Savior.
I imagine Joseph had a rich prayer life that prepared him to hear the will of God, and increased his faith
so he could act according to God’s will. Joseph was prepared and open to hearing God’s message
through the angels. I want that for myself, to have the humility hear the messengers God sends me,
and act according to His will in all things. Who are God’s messengers in my life? I have not seen an
angel that looks the way we usually think, with wings and light, and all. But there are people in my life
and people I meet daily who by their words and actions show what God wants for me. I pray to St.
Joseph to become humble and open to God’s message and to have the courage to act on it.
I’m grateful for St. Joseph’s humility, faith and courage – he shows us how to be open to God’s will for
us and act with trust and confidence.
By Phil Lamoureux
++++++++++
St Joseph: A Man of Patience
I was planning to take early retirement at the end of 2008 and was going to take some time off before I looked for another job. I had it all figured out but when I start looking for that job the economy was not doing well and every firm I contacted about employment was not hiring. This unfortunately went on for close to two years. My frustration was mounting and my patience was wearing quite thin. I thought what am I doing wrong. Why can’t I find a job?
Well after two years I was approached by an acquaintance who asked if I was ready to back to work. I said of course. He told me about a position related to the water & sewer industry and asked that I send him my resume. After several interviews, I was hired and spent seven years working for that utility.
When I reflected on this situation, I finally understood that my plan was not God’s plan. I wasn’t patient enough to wait. There were other missions that God wanted me to participate in before I rejoined the work force. That was His plan.
Now St Joseph was a man of great patience. He waited for God’s revelation about Mary’s pregnancy, becoming Jesus’ step-father and going to Egypt to protect Mary & Jesus. He patiently awaited God’s revelations affecting his life with Mary & Jesus. St. Joseph responded each time to God’s directions and waited for the plan to be revealed to him. St Joseph trusted in God’s care for him.
With God’s grace, when we practice patience, we can handle the daily problems both big & small and the minor inconveniences that face us. During this year of St Joseph, ask for his intercession to help us be patient, merciful and trusting in God’s plan for us.
Peace,
Mike Pucilowski
3/11/2021
The Feasts of St.Patrick & St. Joseph, Bishop KevinJ. Sweeney
3/4/2021
Celebration of the Year of St. Joseph
2/11/2021
Diocese to share video reflections leading up to St. Joseph's feast day
2/4/2021
Bishop Emeritus Serratelli's latest book written for Year of St. Joseph
1/21/2021
Diocese announces plans for celebration of Year of St. Joseph
1/14/2021
Living the Year of St. Joseph, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Noble son of the House of David, pray for us.
Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
Husband of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Faithful guardian of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph, chaste and just, pray for us.
Joseph, prudent and brave, pray for us.
Joseph, obedient and loyal, pray for us.
Pattern of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workers, pray for us.
Example to parents, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of family life, pray for us.
Comfort of the troubled, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of evil spirits, pray for us.
Protector of the Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
God made him master of his household, And put him in charge of all that he owned.
Let us pray.
O God, who in your inexpressible providence were pleased to choose St. Joseph as spouse of the most holy Mother of your Son, grant, we pray, that we, who revere him as our protector on earth, may be worthy of his heavenly intercession. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary, be with us this day.
You protected and cherished the Virgin; loving the Child Jesus as your Son,
you rescued him from danger of death.
Defend the Church, the household of God, purchased by the blood of Christ.
Guardian of the holy family, be with us in our trials.
May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from error and wrestle with the powers of
corruption so that in life we may grow in holiness and in death rejoice in the crown of victory.