ST. JOSEPH SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

St. Joseph is honored on March 19th and is revered by many people. He is remembered for being the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. St. Joseph often goes unnoticed. For the most part, St. Joseph is silent in the Gospel accounts, but his actions speak for the kind of man he was. His compassion, his obedience and faith in response to the angel’s instructions, and his faithful protection and care for Mary and Jesus reveal Joseph as the model of integrity, industriousness, and gentle righteousness. St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an outstanding role in the history of salvation. St. Joseph was called by God to serve the person and mission of Jesus through the exercise of his fatherhood.

He was a carpenter, a working man. He wasn’t rich. He was a compassionate and caring man. He too was a man of faith, obedient to what God asked of him. St. Joseph, as a carpenter who earned “an honest living to provide for his family” is an example for both workers and those seeking employment. St. Joseph demonstrates the importance of dignified work and is also known as the Patron Saint of Workers. St. Joseph is an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.

He is probably most well-known at this time of year because of the numerous feasts prepared in his honor called the St. Joseph Table. Begun by the Sicilians, the St. Joseph Table in now celebrated by people of all backgrounds. Those who partake of a St. Joseph Table do so not only to enjoy a wonderful meal, but also to be able to contribute to the less fortunate in our community. The St. Joseph Table is usually a meatless meal because it occurs during Lent. The meal is to be shared with those who are poor. It has become customary to have a St. Joseph table and the proceeds given to charity. Proceeds from our St. Joseph Table will be given to our Sandwich Program.