Cathedral Family,
This Thursday, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ. For centuries, it has been the Church's instinct to “Go to Joseph.” In the earliest centuries of the Church, the primary questions of Jesus’ origins concerned questions of the Virgin Mary, not so much for devotional reasons, but rather for theological reasons. This is because what we affirmed about Jesus regarding His two natures had to be described in relation to His human mother. This led to such time-honored titles as “theotokos” - “God-bearer” being given to her in 431 AD.
In the Middle Ages, popular devotion to St. Joseph began to spread. His quiet strength permeates the tradition. Although he said nothing in Sacred Scripture, his unwavering faith, justice, and protection have come down to us as ideal masculine qualities. St. Joseph was first of all patrons of all husbands and fathers. Then he was afforded the title of “patron of workers.” He was also prayed to for a happy death—certainly Jesus and Mary were with him when he passed from this world. We all want Jesus and Mary by our side when we take our last breath! He is also the patron saint of Italy (along with St. Francis of Assisi). Italians typically celebrate Big, the feast of St. Joseph. Bakeries offer St. Joseph pastries! We will have a St. Joseph table after the Mass on Thursday night—with some special St. Joseph pastries!
St. Joseph was proclaimed Universal Patron of the Church by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1870. I learned he did so because the Church was experiencing great upheaval in Europe as the modern age began to dawn—the medieval papacy, with its strong political symbols, was breaking down with the loss of the papal states and the reconfiguration of Europe into more secular rule. As such, the primary focus of protection of the Church, heading into uncertain new times, was entrusted to the hands of St. Joseph. As he protected the first “Holy Family,” he will continue that powerful protection for the Body of Christ, the Church, traveling in time. We can and should “Go to Joseph” for all of our temporal and spiritual needs. He lives in heaven interceding for the Church on Earth. Therefore, for your family, your job, your education, your future, “Go to Joseph.” Let us lift up a prayer for our “Rebuild my Church” campaign to the heart of St. Joseph. He knows our needs and will surely be our powerful protector as we seek to renew our parish and prepare for the future needs! As of March 5th, we have raised $2,090,750 from only 80 families of our 4.5 million dollar goal!
This week, we will “Go to Joseph” for a Triduum of prayers leading up to his feast day, which is celebrated as a Solemnity. This means that it is technically not observed as a day of the Lenten liturgical season. We celebrate it as a Sunday---which is always a “mini Easter– the day of Resurrection.”
We will pray a special “Litany to St. Joseph” after each daily mass from Tuesday through Thursday, March 19th. Please join us for a special Mass dedicated to St. Joseph at 7 pm March 19th. Renewed devotion to our saints is a powerful need in our Church. Many people have no practical devotions, which once fueled the fires of Catholic people's imagination and daily prayers at home. Do you have a statue or icon of St. Joseph in your home? Have you told the story about St. Joseph to your children and grandchildren? Young Adults searching for their first job—or a better career — should, for sure, be taught to regularly “Go to Joseph!”
“O St. Joseph, faithful guardian of Jesus and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, protect our families, guide our work, and strengthen our faith. Teach us to trust God as you did, to serve with humility wherever we are. Watch over the Church and keep us close to Christ. St. Joseph, pray for us!
In Jesus,
Father Christy