St. Joseph Series
On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter "Patris Corde - With a Father's Heart." It commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. He proclaimed 2021 as the Year of Saint Joseph.
Over a period of seven weeks we will feature one of the "Father" qualities of Saint Joseph outlined in the Apostolic Letter. Each of these qualities will include a Message, Reflection and Prayer, which have been adapted for you to ponder in your life of faith in today's world. You are invited to prayerfully reflect on the life and messages of St. Joseph and perhaps share your thoughts with your spouse, children or friends.
from Sister Ann Parker IHM
Series Week by Week
- WEEK 1 - Beloved Father
- WEEK 2 - Tender & Loving Father
- WEEK 3 - Obedient Father
- WEEK 4 - Accepting Father
- WEEK 5 - Creative, Courageous Father
- WEEK 6 - Working Father
- WEEK 7- Father in the Shadows
WEEK 1 - Beloved Father
Friends, when I hear this reference about me, I can't help but think that "Beloved" is how our loving God feels about each one of us. I grew up practicing my Jewish faith and learned a lot about God. I also felt myself growing in my relationship with Him and gradually became aware of my task in life. I desired to be the person he wanted me to be as I matured, developed an occupation, and found myself falling in love with a beautiful woman named Mary.
The time eventually came when my faith was put to the test as my Beloved Father revealed His Will to me in a strange and unexpected way. I had some difficult decisions to make and was faced with nothing but trust in His plan to guide me. After challenging and unpredictable events occurred, I eventually settled in my home in Nazareth, caring for my wife and foster child, the Beloved Son of God. I did my best, one day at a time, to fulfill my role as a beloved foster father to Jesus Christ.
Reflection & Sharing
- In what ways do you feel God considers you "beloved" by how you are living your life?
- How would you describe your relationship with God?
- When have you had to make a difficult decision to trust and follow God's Will?
- How do those entrusted to your care consider you "beloved" and special to them?
Prayers:
St. Joseph, help me become more aware of God's loving relationship with me and my family.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
WEEK 2 - Tender & Loving Father
Day by day, one job at a time, one meal, one task at a time, woven in the midst of a prayerful environment, is how I tried to live my life with Jesus and Mary. If I am considered a model of the tender love of God for my family, I give thanks to God. I never understood this as I carried out my daily routines, but if I reflected this to Jesus, that is what matters most to me. By no means was our life free from struggles, difficulties and fears, but I kept trying to do my best and keep trusting in God's plan.
The thought of being considered a tender and loving father is a bit overwhelming. However, I think that is something every father hopes for in his interaction with a child. I was just an ordinary man, a carpenter, seeking and fulfilling jobs to take care of my family. I was in charge, but God was in control. I loved my wife and the child I was privileged to raise. That bond of our love for God, and one another is what mattered the most to us, especially when fears and difficulties arose.
Reflection & Sharing
- Recall times in your childhood, when you experienced God's tender, loving care.
- Share thoughts of how Jesus must have felt the tender, loving care of Joseph.
- What does Joseph teach us about trying to model God's love for those in our care?
Prayers:
St. Joseph, guide me in demonstrating your loving tenderness to those entrusted to my care.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
WEEK 3 - Obedient Father
God certainly had a unique way of communicating with me. Imagine an angel waking you up and bombarding you with a heavenly message. It sure took me by surprise, more than once. Mary had shared her "angel" news with me and it left me in a state of confusion and uncertainty. I did not know what to do. I wanted to marry Mary, but the law dictated otherwise. I needed to hear the angel's words "do not be afraid". I trusted, became obedient and was willing to cooperate with this awesome mission.
My task of obedience continued to unfold with more angel messages. Danger was on the horizon...another message from an angel. "Arise, take the child and mother...go to Egypt". I just wanted to go home, not to a foreign land, but I was obedient and went, knowing in my heart that it was God's Will for my family. When the angel appeared again and told me it was safe to return to Nazareth, I was relieved and grateful. We returned to our home and began living our hidden, ordinary life together.
Reflection & Sharing
- How would you describe the way God communicates with you?
- In what ways have you been obedient to God's Will and not your own?
- What does being "obedient" mean to you and your family?
Prayers:
St. Joseph, teach me to be open and obedient to what God is asking of me.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
WEEK 4 - Accepting Father
If I am to be seen as an "accepting" father, I must say that it did not happen easily. My first challenge was to accept Mary's pregnancy and the startling angelic news that her child was conceived, not by me, but by the Holy Spirit. A boy, who would be named Jesus, not Joseph. And….that he would save people from their sins. I had heard the rabbi read that message from the prophets, but this news was impacting my life. If Jesus was to see me as an accepting father, I needed to be obedient and willing to accept God's Will for me. My life with Jesus and Mary is often described as a "hidden" life. We had our family routines and practiced our Jewish faith. Life was not as hectic and complicated for us as it might be for families today. Jesus often came to my carpenter shop and wanted to assist me with my projects. Those were special times for both of us. I often remembered the words "do not be afraid", which gave me courage when frustrations and disappointments occurred. My faith and belief in God was a guiding light for me, as well as for my family.
Reflection & Sharing
- What have you accepted in your life that has been difficult? How did you experience God's assistance?
- How was faith practiced in your childhood family life? Your family life today?
- Describe a situation when you have had to accept God's plan for you.
Prayers:
St. Joseph, help me to accept God's Will in situations when I want mine to prevail.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
WEEK 5 - Creative, Courageous Father
I never considered creativity and courage to be qualities that described me, but I often found myself needing these gifts. As the possibility of redemption for our world became a reality through the presence of Jesus in my midst, I gradually discovered how God was courageously entrusting me to care for His Son. I needed courage to walk beside that donkey carrying Mary to Bethlehem and creativity in turning a stable into a delivery room and a welcoming home for God's Son. Being told to go to Egypt was another unexpected, courageous journey when I needed some creativity. There were many other times when, with God's help, I learned to find creative solutions to problems.
Jesus and Mary were very special to me. I took my role of guiding and protecting them seriously and have become known as Guardian of the Redeemer and of the Church. Awesome titles, for which I felt unworthy. The poor, needy, and suffering people in today's world are special to me. I hope they can experience some of the ways I felt God's love for me as I carried out my mission.
Reflection & Sharing
- When have you had to deal with a difficult situation and experienced courage or creativity in reaching a solution?
- What or who sustained you in facing something difficult? How?
- When has your faith been an anchor in making a difficult family decision?
Prayers:
St. Joseph, guide and inspire me when I have to deal with something difficult in my life or family.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
WEEK 6 - Working Father
Here I am, a carpenter at work. It's probably not a job you will find many men doing today, but for me, at that time, it was a good job. I learned how to use all those tools and make necessary things for people. I know it's a lot different today with machines and factories. I learned this trade at a young age and took pride in my work. I didn't make lots of money, but enough to provide a home, food and other necessities for my family. I felt connected to God, who was working in and through me.
My best days were when Jesus came into the shop with me and wanted to learn how to use all
those tools. We worked together and had lots of conversations. They are not recorded in the Gospels, but I will leave them to your imagination. I hope you take pride in your work, whatever it is, and recognize it as a means of using the gifts God gave you in order to serve others. Be sure to pray for those who desire to work and are unable to find jobs.
Reflection & Sharing
- When and from whom did you learn about the value and importance of work?
- What kind of work do you enjoy doing with someone or your family?
- What can St. Joseph, the Worker, teach us about the importance of work in today's world?
Prayers:
St. Joseph, show me how to value the importance of my work, and to share the pride and joy of working with others.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis
WEEK 7- Father in the Shadows
I was not destined to be a celebrity father, out in the forefront of news and recognition. As I gradually became aware of my role in the life of my family, I quietly and faithfully assumed my responsibilities. I prayed to God each day to be with me. Mary and I watched Jesus grow and mature in his human life. We practiced our faith together and gradually became aware of the special mission that would be entrusted to him. I'll never forget that experience when we went to Jerusalem for Passover and lost him on the way home. When we found him in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions, we sensed something special about him. However, our parenting instincts took over and back home we went. My fatherly curiosity about his future life was ignited and I continued to quietly respect his freedom and helped him become the independent person he was meant to be. I always felt a special connection to God who provided me with the guidance and wisdom I needed.
My life with my beloved family quietly and peacefully ended during those remaining years. That happened before Jesus left to embark on his mission of preaching, healing, calling disciples and finally giving his life in the redemptive gift of love. The child entrusted to me to raise was not mine, but I was blessed to care for him.
Reflection & Sharing
- What are some of the parental life lessons you experienced in your childhood?
- What important skills or behaviors do parents need to model for children today?
- What did you learn from the quiet, protective role Joseph had in the Holy Family?
Prayers:
St. Joseph, thank you for the great example of fatherly love and care you modeled for us. Guide and protect all parents who are raising children to grow in their knowledge and relationship with Jesus.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. - Pope Francis