March 19 2021 - St. Joseph - Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 Today, we celebrate the feast of the great St. Joseph. Throughout the Church’s history, Joseph has accumulated many titles and nicknames. Sometimes he is called “the Guardian of the Holy Family” because of his role in protecting Mary and Jesus. Sometimes is he called the “Terror of Demons”—because he is so holy and so pure and so courageous, that he is fearful to the demons, and so helps us to be protected from evil as well.

He is the Joseph must Just, Joseph most Chaste, Joseph more pure, Joseph most Prudent, patron of workers, patron of fathers, patron of the dying, and patron of the universal Church.

Today’s Feast of March 19 calls him by one of his favorite titles, maybe his absolute favorite. Today, he is honored as St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In all of human history, there has never been a husband more in love with his wife than St. Joseph. There has never been a more loving, trustworthy, patient, gentle, understanding, courageous, supportive, respectful husband.

Every man called to marriage should seek to imitate and emulate the love that Joseph has for Mary. And every wife should pray and assist in helping their husbands to become men like Joseph. Young women should pray that their future husband, if they are called to marriage, will become as much like St. Joseph as possible. And young men should pray that they will become as much like St. Joseph as possible. All children, too, should pray that their fathers become more like St. Joseph—men whose hearts are on fire with love of God and family.

There would be a lot fewer unhappy marriages, to say the least, if families had great and fervent devotion to St. Joseph, and sought to follow his example. In fact, one might say, that without looking to the model of St. Joseph, no husband, father, or priest, will ever really understand what it means to be a holy man or a holy husband. 

In movies and television, amongst musicians and athletes and politicians, we see many examples of men who do not act like holy men. They mistreat women, they mistreat children, they do not serve God. In a perverted age like ours, we need to turn to St. Joseph all the more, as an example of what it means to be a good and righteous man of God. 

Beginning on January 1, Pope Francis called for this year to be dedicated to St. Joseph. Holy Father Pope Francis wants us more and more this year to discover the love that St. Joseph has for us, and the ways that St. Joseph can help us to love Jesus and Mary. Daily, ask St. Joseph, to teach you. Joseph loves to teach. God places Joseph in the life of his Son, as a protector and teacher. And so Joseph will never refuse to teach us how to be holy and righteous.

St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us, that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That St. Joseph, “Patron of the Universal Church” may guide and guard our Holy Father, all bishops and clergy, religious and lay faithful from all evil and error. 

That St. Joseph, “diligent protector” of the Christ Child, will help protect all children from violence and evil, especially the unborn.

That St. Joseph, “Guardian of Virgins” will help eradicate perversion and immodesty from our culture.

That St. Joseph, “Pillar of Families”, will be an example for all Christian families.

That St. Joseph “terror of demons” will help to deliver all those in sin, and all those under demonic influence, to be open to the saving mercy of Christ. 

That St. Joseph “patron of the dying” will help all the dying to know the tender peace of God.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.