Monday, 19 March 2018

Feast of Saint Joseph 2018 Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary Principal Patron of Canada

Feast of Saint Joseph 2018
Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Principal Patron of Canada

 In Canada we have 4 Patron saints, but the principal Patron Saint is Saint Joseph. The others are:
Saint Anne, Mother of Mary
Saint Jean de Brébeuf
Canadian Martyrs, a group comprised of:
St. René Goupil (1642)
St. Isaac Jogues (1646)
St. Jean de Lalande (1646)
St. Antoine Daniel (1648)
St. Jean de Brébeuf (1649)
St. Noël Chabanel (1649)
St. Charles Garnier (1649)
St. Gabriel Lalemant (1649)
Those Canadian Martyrs are sometimes known as the North American Martyrs. But today is the universal feast of Saint Joseph and also a mass with special readings in Canada, from the Canadian Council of Bishops. 

 First Reading 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-15, 16
Responsorial Psalm 80: 1-4, 26, 28 Response 36
Second Reading Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Gospel Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

 As a husband and father I find that my devotion to saint Joseph is constantly growing. I need to turn to him for help. And though we do not know a lot about him directly from scripture, we know much about his character. And many books have been written about him. There are different theories about Joseph being an older man, and a celibate marriage not being a big deal. There are some who believe he was the normal marring age and the celibacy was more of a factor. And to be honest I do not know. But I know he cared for the woman he loved in very hard circumstances. I know that he accepted the role of foster father to the son of God. I know that he was anguished when Jesus was missing and they found him in the temple. I know that he listened to God's promptings in his dreams, and messages from angels, and did all he could to protect, and provide for Jesus and Mary. I know that he worked hard and was known to be skilled at his trade and an honest and hard worker. 

 And all of those are traits I can strive to emulate. And I often fail. Yesterday I worked 11 and a half hours, and worked 30 hours over time this week. Not my normal practice any more, and thankfully not something I need to do often. But I was tired and ended up being short with my youngest. When she came back downstairs, I apologised for hurting her feelings. We hugged for a long time. It is not something I talk about often but I am often in pain, daily pain with bad knees and bad shoulders. For months now I have woken in pain and done to bed in pain. I did a lot of stupid things when I was younger. I played a lot of sports. I was hurt at work and kept working … the list goes on. But I am finding in this new state I can pray more often. Each time I am in pain I can pray, pray to draw closer to God, pray to be a better husband, and pray to be a better father, better son, better brother, better friend, and better employee. I can offer it to God. Because of the division of labour in our home I get up most days at 5, and leave by 5:50 to walk 20 minutes to my bus for work. My wife does the whole morning routine and gets our kids and half the time 2 other kids fed, read, and off to school. But I am home before they arrive home. I prepare the afternoon snacks, suppers, get ready for karate, music lessons, … I pray while walking home every evening for my kids and on those days the other two that will be here. 

 And so today I am thankful for Saint Joseph and his example that I in my shabby way attempt to learn from and emulate.

 So to all my friends who are father, and my fellow Canadians, blessed feast of saint Joseph!




Prayer to Saint Joseph:

Oh, Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
Oh, Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

Saint Joseph, Patron of departed souls – pray for me. 
Amen

Other reviews and articles about Saint Joseph:
Consecration to St. Joseph - Fr. Donald Calloway
Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph Compiled from Traditional Sources- TAN Books
Prayer to Saint Joseph Prayer of the Day
Joseph of Nazareth - Federico Suarez
Devotion to St. Joseph - F. Declaux
Go to St. Joseph: Do Whatever He Tells You - Brian Kiczek
Saint Joseph: Help for Life's Emergencies - Kathryn J. Hermes
Feast of Saint Joseph 2018 Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary Principal Patron of Canada
Companion to Saint Joseph - J.B. Midgley - CTS Companions Series
Saints of the Roman Canon - Julien Chilcott-Monk - CTS Living the Liturgy Series
Seven Saints for Seven Virtues - Jean M. Heimann

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1 comment:

Unknown said...

NICE PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH. OFTEN WE THINK OF GOD OR OTHERS NEVER ST. JOSEPH. IT IS A NICE POSTER OF ALL THE SAINTS. THANK YOU

MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO REMEMBER ABOUT THE PAST OF HOW WE BECAME EDUCATED REGARDING FAITH AND THE GOOD THAT BRINGS GOOD AND TO KEEP EVIL OR BAD OUT OF OUR REACH AND LIVES. I WAS ONCE TOLD IF SCARED OR SHY TO PRAY TO GOD THEN PRAY TO MOTHER MARY. WE NEED RELIGION IN OUR LIVES. WE NEED TO BELIEVE SOMETHING GOOD IN ORDER TO ACCEPT DEATH MUCH EASIER.

19 March 2018 at 13:50

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