St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

03-16-2025Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus Christ entered the world through the human family. He came as an infant born into the marriage and home of the two holiest human beings who ever lived — Joseph and Mary. In a time when our world and our Church needs examples of holy men, of holy families and faithful disciples, could there be a more fitting time to venerate the man who gave his life and his love to the Blessed Mother and the Son of God?

We celebrate the Feast Day of St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary on Wednesday, March 19th. The Bible pays Joseph a powerful compliment that can easily be overlooked by many. The Sacred Scripture say that he was a “just” man. By saying Joseph was “just,” it means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him and through him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God even though he did not completely understand God’s will for him always.

It is no contradiction concerning Joseph’s holiness that he decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child. The important words of the Bible are that he planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man yet unwilling to expose her to shame” (Matthew 1:19). Joseph was willing to let Mary be with the man that he assumed was the father of her child so Mary would not have to experience shame.

Of course, Joseph didn’t know all that God was doing in Mary’s life yet because he was a just man, he would do the right thing according to the law at that time. But God had other plans for Joseph. This just man was simply, joyfully, wholeheartedly obedient to God—in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the precious pair to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, in the years of quiet faith and courage, Joseph showed the depth of his love for God and for the family entrusted to his care by God.

“Saint Joseph was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Joseph was a just and compassionate man, and protected Mary from shame when he discovered that she was pregnant, even though he did not understand that her unborn child was the Son of God. We see evidence of Joseph's deep faith when he changed his plans in response to messages from God. Although God is Jesus' true father, Joseph fulfilled that role in daily life. He loved Jesus and treated him as his own son (Luke 4:22). He provided for the safety of his family (Matthew 2:13-14), and taught Jesus his trade (Mark 6:3). There are no more references to Joseph in the New Testament after the family's pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52), so he may have died before Jesus began his public ministry. Joseph is known as the patron saint of fathers and workers. We celebrate two feast days for him, March 19 for Joseph the Husband of Mary, and May 1 for Joseph the worker.” (Taken from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.")

Prayer to St. Joseph

Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary, be with us this day. You protected and cherished the Virgin; loving the Child Jesus as your Son, you rescued Him from the danger of death. Defend the Church, the household of God, purchased by the Blood of Christ. Guardian of the Holy Family, be with us in our trials. May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from error and wrestle with the powers of corruption so that in life we may grow in holiness and in death rejoice in the crown of victory. Amen.

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline