Devotion for March
St Joseph
Due to the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on 19 March, this month is devoted to this great saint, the foster father of Christ.
“Joseph shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men. Hence it came about that the Word of God was humbly subject to Joseph, that He obeyed him and that He rendered to him all those offices that children are bound to render to their parents. From this two-fold dignity flowed the obligation which nature lays upon the head of families, so that Joseph became the guardian, the administrator and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was. And during the whole course of his life he fulfilled those charges and those duties. …It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ.
“Quamquam Pluries” – On the Devotion to St Joseph –Pope Leo XIII
St Joseph is invoked as patron for many causes, amongst them he is the patron of the Universal Church. He is the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed. He is also the patron of fathers, of carpenters, of workers and those seeking work and of social justice.
As the foster father of Christ, St Joseph is, in a very real sense, the foster father of all Christians. The “Prayer for the Intercession of St Joseph” prayer is recited to ask St Joseph to pray on your behalf to the Son of God, whom he protected and reared.
O blessed Joseph, virgin-father of Jesus,
most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary,
pray every day for us to the same Jesus, the Son of God,
that we, being defended by the power of His grace
and striving dutifully in life,
may be crowned by Him at the hour of death.
Amen
AnaStpaul 