MARCH 20 - SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH

 

MARCH 20 - SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH

The solemnity of Saint Joseph normally is celebrated on March 19, but because this year it falls on a Sunday the Church has moved its celebration to March 20.  Sunday takes precedence over most feast days, and always in Lent, so that a saint loses his or her Mass every seven years.  Certain celebrations are so important to the faith, however, that rather than simply suppress them they are moved to another date.  This is the case for the feast which honors the Patron of the Church.  Our parish will observe the solemnity with two Masses on Monday (6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.).

You may remember that Pope Francis dedicated the year 2021 to St. Joseph.  When he considered the “often overlooked” ordinary people who were doing so much to sustain us during the pandemic shut down he thought of St. Joseph.  He explained:

Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to provide essential services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and women religious, and so very many others… Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.

Joseph was a simple man, head of a small family, who worked with his hands as a carpenter and was considered poor enough to make the offering of the poor for the firstborn son in the Temple, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Lk 1:24).  In the preface of the Mass for this solemnity the priest prays to the Father, “For this just man was given by you as spouse to the Virgin Mother of God and set as a wise and faithful servant in charge of your household to watch like a father over your Only Begotten Son.” 

God honored the dignity of the humble and those whom society often disregards as unimportant when he chose Joseph to act as the human father of his Son.  Joseph not only gave Jesus legitimacy in the sight of the world by adopting him as his own, he also made him a descendant of King David, from whom the anointed one of Israel was to come.  By his humility and piety, always listening to God, he saved the baby Jesus from King Herod, who sought to kill him.  He protected Mary’s virginity and guided Jesus through his boyhood.  His job done, Joseph laid down with his ancestors, and we hear no more about him. 

The humble life of Joseph contributed to the salvation of the world.  He continues to watch over the sons and daughters of God in holy Mother Church.  No one should consider himself or herself as too lowly, too poor, too unknown to be used by God.  Joseph is an example to them of a just, hardworking man, who taught his trade to Jesus, and was ready to leave everything at the call of God.  By his faithfulness he was prepared to become the earthly guide and protector of Mary and the boy Jesus.  May we find inspiration in Joseph when we take on humble tasks, and when the careful plans we have made seem to be dashed by Providence.  May we have chaste and holy hearts like Joseph, as we offer thanks to God for his continual care for the Church.