Daily Readings for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph - Click Here

Father Kirk's Daily Lenten Reflection
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent, March 19, 2022

Solemnity of Saint Joseph

Today is the feast of St Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We don't know a lot about Joseph himself – but we do know that his father’s name was Jacob and that he was the husband of Mary. We know that he was a carpenter and that he lived in Nazareth. We also know that he was a righteous man who followed the law: He observed religious law – we know he went to Jerusalem for the Jewish festivals. He also followed civil law: He went to Bethlehem for the census. We also know that Joseph had dreams. We know that God spoke to him in his dreams – through the voice of an angel - and we know that when he awoke Joseph always did as God asked.

We know that after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the family returned to live in Nazareth. Only two other incidents are mentioned where Joseph was present. One was at the presentation of Jesus in the temple, eight days after his birth. This was where they met Simeon who made prophecies about Jesus’ future and spoke of a ‘sword of sorrow’ which would pierce Mary’s heart. The other, was when Jesus was 12 years old, and went with Mary and Joseph to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem.  Interestingly we do not know one word that Saint Joseph ever spoke but we know that through his silence he has spoken volumes.

St. Joseph may have been a simple carpenter, but today he is venerated as one of the greatest saints in the Church. St. Joseph is the patron and protector of the Universal Church.  He is also the patron saint of families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, carpenters and craftsmen, engineers, working people in general, and of the dying.

Let us pray for the grace to imitate Saint Joseph.