3/19/2014 – Solemnity of St Joseph – Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24A

      Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In many cultures, this is an important solemnity in the midst of our journey during the sacred season of Lent.  Scripture does not tell us a lot of details about Joseph.  It says that he was a righteous man in today’s Gospel – expressing how he faithful stood by the Virgin Mary and faithfully filled his role as foster father of Jesus.  We can imagine that when Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy it was one of the darkest hours of his life.   We don’t hear of Joseph from the time Jesus started his public ministry – perhaps Joseph passed away before that time.  Yet, we can assume that Joseph was instrumental in forming Jesus in his faith, in preparing him for his public ministry and his proclamation of God’s kingdom.  I see both Joseph and Mary as such wonderful examples of faith for us – both of them were truly the first disciples who believe in Christ and his ministry even before that ministry began.  In fact, I often tell men who come to me for confession to pray with Joseph and to ask for his prayers and friendship to help them overcome what they are struggling with.  It is interesting to note that devotion to St Joseph grew in the 15^th and 16^th century, with saints such as Teresa of Avila promoting a devotion to him. 

      The tradition of St Joseph’s table that our Happy Hearts group celebrates today goes back to Italy many centuries ago. There are various stories told that explain this tradition.  One story holds that on the island of Sicily during the Middle Ages, the inhabitants prayed to St Joseph to intercede during a terrible time of famine that was caused by a drought. They prayed for the rains to come, and when the drought was ended, they prepared a special banquet in thanksgiving to St Joseph for answering their prayers.  This became a tradition in Sicily, when they invited the poor and the less fortunate to join in the feast.  In the late 19^th and early 20^th century, Sicilian immigrants brought this tradition to the United States, where it has become one of the biggest devotions in Italian American communities throughout our country. 

      Today, as we celebrate this wonderful tradition, let us ask for the prayers for Blessed St Joseph for our community, for the poor and the sick, that his intercessions brought them healing and strength.  And may St Joseph help all of us as we continue on our Lenten journey.