Feast of St. Joseph

Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure. — Sirach 3:3-4

“The Son of God, having the keys of Paradise, has given one to His Immaculate Mother and the other to St. Joseph. You who so much love your dearly departed, go to Joseph! He is the mediator of all who are detained in those cleansing fires, he exercises special influence on behalf of those who during life expressed great zeal and in honoring him” — Father Francis Xavier Lasance, priest, author.

Tassone, Susan. Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory: 365 Reflections  (p. 92). Our Sunday Visitor. .

Poor St. Joseph. His feast day falls during the season of Lent – which never lends itself to a lot of feasting, to begin with. Some years, the official feast day fell on Sunday, which always takes precedence over a feast day.  And to make matters worse for the foster father of the Christ child, he has to follow that usurper, St. Patrick!   St. Patrick- beloved saint of the Irish and all those who want to be Irish – who himself is English and was probably of Roman descent.

St. Joseph’s feast day has to follow all of that, which in the United States, is certainly a letdown.

But a few good things have helped St. Joseph’s standing in recent years.  In 2013, his name was finally included in Eucharistic prayer II, III, and IV!  That sort of seemed like a no-brainer to me, but at least he finally gets a mention every week at mass … when they have it. And of course, he remains the favorite of property sellers who are trying to find the right buyer for their homes. Little statues of the saint fly off of the shelves at the local religious store, only to be buried upside down in the backyard somewhere. But at least that keeps St. Joseph’s name out there … if the market can rebound after the pandemic has ended.

But most importantly, St. Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death, since he more than likely died in the presence of Jesus and Mary, and maybe that’s the most important thing to remember as we follow guidelines to keep ourselves and our families safe and pray for others who are infected and ill with the Covid-19 virus.

St. Joseph, father of Our Lord, Jesus CH\hrist, true spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, pray for us and all those who will die this day or night. Amen.”

Tassone, Susan. Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory: 365 Reflections(p. 92). Our Sunday Visitor. Kindle Edition.

Things to do on the Feast of St. Joseph

Make a St. Joseph Altar. It can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. This year, with a statue or a picture of St. Joseph, candles, and then fruit in a bowl, pastries, breads – whatever you have really to make the day special and festive. For the adults, maybe a bottle of wine too!

Visit the virtual St. Joseph Altar.

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

Litany Of Saint Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
Pray for us.
Holy Joseph,
Pray for us.

Noble Son of the House of David,
Pray for us.
Light of the Patriarchs,
Pray for us.
Husband of the Mother of God,
Pray for us.
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin,
Pray for us.
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Pray for us.
Sedulous Defender of Christ,
Pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family,
Pray for us.
Joseph most just,
Pray for us.
Joseph most chaste,
Pray for us.
Joseph most prudent,
Pray for us.
Joseph most valiant,
Pray for us.
Joseph most obedient,
Pray for us.
Joseph most faithful,
Pray for us.
Mirror of patience,
Pray for us.
Lover of poverty,
Pray for us.
Model of all who labor,
Pray for us.
Glory of family life,
Pray for us.
Protector of Virgins,
Pray for us.
Pillar of families,
Pray for us.
Consolation of the afflicted,
Pray for us.
Hope of the sick,
Pray for us.
Patron of the dying,
Pray for us.
Terror of the demons,
Pray for us.
Protector of the holy Church,
Pray for us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

He made him master of his house,
and ruler of all his possessions.

O God, You were pleased to choose Saint Joseph as the husband of Mary and the guardian of your Son. Grant that, as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.