Saint of the Day ~ March 19

SAINT JOSEPH (? B.C.-c.25)
Foster father of Jesus Christ and most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Patron saint of the Universal Church, of husbands, fathers, carpenters
and working people in general, as well as patron saint of the dying

Saint Joseph is honored with feast days throughout the liturgical year. This particular Solemnity today, however, encourages us to look at his role as husband and head of the Holy Family.

Most of what we know about the life of Saint Joseph comes to us from Sacred Scripture and legends that have sprung up regarding his life. Though Joseph is only mentioned by two of the Evangelists, he is paid the compliment of being a “just” man.

This was the Evangelists’ way of saying that Joseph was such a good and holy man that he shares in God’s own Holiness. In addition, Joseph gives us an example of how to be a just spouse and how to live a holy and loving relationship with both God and family.

Saint Joseph’s example as a husband can best be seen in how he respected Mary. He realized that God had a special plan for his wife and for God’s Son, and Joseph did everything in his power to help this plan become reality: staying at their side, watching over and caring for their needs, for his life is a holy example for all husbands and fathers to emulate and follow.

The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of Mary, has been celebrated throughout the Church since the tenth century, and he was declared Patron of the Universal Church by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1870.

We celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on March 19.

(From catholicnewsagency.com, saints.sqpn.com, americancatholic.org, catholicculture.org and newadvent.org)

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PRAYER

(The following prayer is from the Collect of the Roman Missal from the Proper for Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

“Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession, Your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings You entrusted to his faithful care.

“Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”