SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MARCH 19, 2022

MASS READINGS

A Gospel according to Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

REFLECTION

Happy Feast of St. Joseph!

We have been praying the Novena to St. Joseph written by, Father Michael. The First and Second day of the Novena help us to see St. Joseph as the Husband of Mary.

The first day quotes from the Gospel for today, “Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.”

I learned so much about St. Joseph from doing this Novena. St. Joseph made decisions with love. He was looking out for the well being of Mary when he decided to divorce her quietly.

“So the better path to take is to refrain from condemning and let God be the judge. In fear of God Joseph allows the Lord to have the final word.” (Novena to St. Joseph p.13)

What a beautiful model of showing a fear of the Lord and selflessness from St. Joseph. He saw the purity of Mary’s heart. It is almost as if their hearts reflected each other.

When my husband and I were first married, I started saying a prayer to Saint Joseph every night for him.

As time went by, we began our own family. We have four children, one boy, and three girls. We have raised them Catholic and we would try to pray with them every evening. One day we ended our prayers by asking for Saints to pray for us, he mentioned St. Joseph and said he always asks for his intercession.

Will you join with us in asking for St. Joseph’s intercession for all of our priests who have the holy Catholic Church as their bride?

St. Joseph’s intercession is powerful.

Praise God for His grace and mercy in allowing St. Joseph to intercede in our prayers.

St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church - Pray for us.

LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH