ST. JOSEPH
CUSTODIAN OF THE REDEEMER
AND HIS CHURCH

This year, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, falls on Wednesday of Holy Week. Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, has full precedence in the liturgical calendar. Solemnities are always celebrated even though on a different date. They are always moved to an open date nearest the usual one. This year the Solemnity of St. Joseph will be celebrated on Saturday, March 15.

The Solemnity of St. Joseph is celebrated in every Catholic Church in the world. Besides, the patronage of St. Joseph continues each day in places across the planet in almost every diocese and in our own diocese.

These nations have St. Joseph as patron: Austria, Belgium, Bohemia (Czech Republic), Canada, Mexico, Peru and South Vietnam.

Our diocese is privileged and blessed with 16 ministries with the title and under the patronage of St. Joseph.

The 10 parishes with date of foundation are: Dexter - 1840; Adrian and Brooklyn - 1863; Gaines and St. Johns - 1871; Howell - 1888; Ypsilanti (Whittaker) - 1890; Jackson - 1902; Owosso - 1923; and Lansing (Melkite) - 1977. In addition: Adrian, Lansing, St. Joseph Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Howell, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Grass Lake, St. Joseph Shrine, Jackson and St. Joseph Retreat Center.

St. Joseph's Feast, March 19 is also the 'names day' of our Holy Father, Benedict XVI. At his baptism on Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927, the day of his birth, he was given the name Joseph. That was in the parish church of St. Oswald in the village of Markte on Inn, Bavaria in Germany.

The Litany of St. Joseph concludes with: 'He made him Lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions'. That refers to the Joseph in the book of Genesis. He was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Out of envy, his brothers sold him to slaves who sold him in Egypt.

Joseph was soon recognized as gifted and wise, even by the King of Egypt. Pharaoh made Joseph Lord of Egypt and Ruler of all of Egypt.

Joseph of Nazareth is the man to whom God entrusted his possessions - the Son of God became man - Jesus and his mother Mary. In his 11th year as pope, John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Exhortation about St. Joseph on August 15, 1989. He names Joseph 'Custodian of the Redeemer'.

Earlier at Livarno, Italy in 1982 the Holy Father said: "Joseph of Nazareth is a "just man" because he totally "lives by faith". He is holy because his faith is truly heroic.

Sacred Scripture says little of him - little more than what we read in today's liturgy (Solemnity of St. Joseph). It does not record even one word spoken by Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth. And yet, even without words, he shows the depth of his faith, his greatness.

St. Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God.

He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God. In order to receive it and fulfill it with love".

St. Matthew's Gospel records three times in which God called Joseph. Each time Joseph said nothing - he simply 'did'! The clean profile of the character of St. Joseph is not in his words of self expression, but in what he does.

One of many pleasant surprises that happen to all of us is this poem from a parishioner:

ST. JOSEPH - MAN OF COURAGE

Our Saint, had pledged it all
his life, his care and his skill
Forfeiting some of life's usual joys
to do, in homage. God's will.

Trusting that heaven's kindness
give grace and strength for his part,
he wed the Blessed Mother
shielding her, and the One near her heart.

As a husband, and Christ's foster father
being holy, his will was of steel.
A gentle, loyal, protective spouse
with a righteousness fired to zeal.

St. Joseph the patron of human work,
protector of Church and its needs.
The goodness that Joseph evinced to all
was his love pouring forth in deeds.

Lillian Laczi
STM Parishioner
March 3, 1994

The American pact Walt Whitman (+1892) penned these words describing St. Joseph - "His faith was 'dead to doubts', dumb to discouragements and blind to impossibilities. The steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find the rock beneath".

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH

O most renowned St. Joseph, you know the strain of toll, the
pain of labor. Because of this I ask your aid in placing devotion
to duty before my own inclinations, and help in my efforts to
work with thankfulness and joy. With your help may I realize
the honor in developing by my labor, the gifts I have received
from Almighty God.

Aid me to strive for peace and order, moderation and gentle
patience, and not to shrink from weariness and difficulties.

Above all, let me not glory in what I accomplish, that as my
reward, through Jesus and your holy spouse, the Virgin Mary,
and in limitation of your devotion, I may worthy to praise God
and attain my place in eternal glory.