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Friends of the Rosary,

Today, March 19, is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the legal father of Jesus (nutritor Domini).

Teresa of Ávila wrote, “To other saints our Lord has given power to help in one sort of need, but this glorious saint, as I know by experience, helps us in every need.”

In 1870, Pius IX declared Joseph to be the patron and protector of the universal family of the Church. He is the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his deathbed. He is also the patron of fathers, of carpenters, and of social justice. Many religious orders and communities are placed under his patronage.

Saint John Paul II said, “In his self-gift to Mary and Jesus, Joseph fully shares in authentic human fatherhood and the mission of a father in the family.”

The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy says, “His mission in God’s plan of salvation was to legally insert Jesus Christ into the line of David, from whom, according to the prophets, the Messiah would be born, and to act as his father and guardian.”

Joseph was the “silent” person, a righteous man who faithfully fulfilled his mission of protecting and guarding God’s greatest treasures upon earth, Jesus and Mary.

He was an ordinary manual laborer, although descended from the royal house of David.

No words of his are recorded in the Gospels. Most of our information about St. Joseph comes from the opening two chapters of St. Matthew’s Gospel.

At present, there are two major feasts in his honor. On March 19, when we acknowledge his suffering as part of the work of redemption, and on May 1, we honor him as the patron of workmen.

Ave Maria!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Please give us the grace to respond with joy!

+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

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Leo XIV