As we celebrate the solemnity of St Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary today, I think about how back in 2021, we celebrated the year of St Joseph as declared by Pope Francis. It was not too long ago that St Joseph was added to the Eucharistic prayers, alongside Mary, his spouse. However, we may find it interesting that in the history of the Church, St Joseph was not given much attention for many centuries. It was in the 16th century in the era of the Protestant Reformation that devotions to St Joseph were encouraged by the Church in a meaningful way, with Joseph seen as the ideal protector and provider of the family. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Joseph as the patron on the universal Church. In addition to his feast day that we celebrate today on March 19th each year, we also celebrate him as Joseph the Worker on May 1 each year.
Today’s Gospel finds Joseph facing quite a challenge in his life when he became aware of Mary’s pregnancy, knowing that he was not the father. According to the law, Mary could be stoned to death. Yet, not knowing any details, Joseph was willing to break off their relationship quietly and not subject her to shame or danger. When the angel explains the situation to him in a dream, Joseph follows the angel’s instructions.
Joseph is a man of virtue and faith. He is a hard working man, a carpenter from a small town in Galilee. We don’t know a lot of details about Joseph and his life. We don’t know for sure if he had died by the time of Jesus’ passion and journey to cross, although that is assumed to be the case by many Scripture scholars. Reflecting Joseph’s humility and simplicity of faith, he is not by any means the center of attention in the Gospel narrative. We remember Joseph today in a special way on his feast day. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Joseph.
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