Saturday, March 19, 2011

March 20: St. Joseph

St. Joseph, as many of you might know, was the husband of the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ.  He was a carpenter, lived poor his whole life, and was happy with his lot.  The Bible does not record a single word spoken by him, yet he was arguably the most influential father-figure, save for the Father Himself.

Whatever the Lord asked him to do, he did without question nor hesitation.  As the head of the Holy Family that raised Jesus, he is known at the example of the just spouse and father.  Although he was given multiple chances to give his wife Mary up through divorce or leaving her, he instead chose to stay by her side.  He knew that God had a divine plan for him and his family, and chose to follow the path led before him by God.

In portrayals of statues or pictures, he is often shown with a lily due to a legend that he was so chosen from among other men by the blossoming of his staff like a lily.


He is the patron saint of... oh, waaaay to many things to list.  But here's a few:


Carpenters
Craftsmen
Dying people
Emigrants
Expectant mothers
Fathers
House Hunters
Pioneers
Working people
Americas
Belgium
Mexico
and much, much more!



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