By Brea Cannon
Liturgical Rhythm of Life
“Joseph, of royal blood, united by marriage to the greatest and holiest of women, reputed the father of the Son of God, passed his life in labor, and won by the toil of the artisan the needful support of his family.”- Pope Leo XIII
Just as each day of the week is dedicated to a special devotion, so are the months of the year:
In March, we take some special time for St. Joseph.
St. Joseph is of great significance and importance in the course of salvation history. As Mary was Jesus’ biological mother, Joseph was his adoptive or legal father bridging the Old and New Testaments and transmitting the Davidic line to Jesus. Joseph is not attributed to any quotes or words in the Bible but his protective and just actions give us more than words could tell.
On multiple occasions in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, we read how Joseph’s actions were both righteous and just. From Joseph’s betrothal to Mary, his protection of the Holy Family and his obedience to God, Joseph gives us only reasons to honor his role as the earthly father of our Savior.
Three times throughout the liturgical calendar we get to honor St. Joseph:
- March 19: Honors his role as most chaste spouse of Mary
- May 1: Honors his role as the carpenter and his vocation of worker
- Sunday in the Octave of Christmas: Feast of the Holy Family, honors his role as protector of the Holy Family
The month of March is a special time set aside to honor St. Joseph in our homes and families. This month, consider some traditional and prayerful ways to honor St. Joseph:
A St. Joseph Altar — An Italian tradition: The St. Joseph altar is a three-tiered table or display, to symbolize the Holy Trinity, in your home that features a St. Joseph statue or picture on the top tier. The other tiers can display other sacramentals, holy cards or candles, and flowers, most typically lilies, to draw our hearts and minds up to our heavenly Father through the intercession of St. Joseph. In Italy, a variety of different foods are placed symbolically on the altar.
Daily novena prayer to St. Joseph — A daily novena prayer can be prayed throughout March or even the whole year to praise St. Joseph’s virtue and to obtain his intercession for a special intention.
St. Joseph’s Seven Sorrows and Joys devotion with the Seven Sunday Devotion — To honor St. Joseph through the Seven Sunday Devotion, one must receive Holy Communion on seven consecutive Sundays and pray the prayers of the seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph. This devotion will bring one closer to the heart of St. Joseph and obtain special graces through his intercession.
St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus is waiting for each of us to open our hearts to him and his protection. His role in our lives and in that of the Universal Church is grander than words can describe. May we each spend this month of March growing closer to St. Joseph and our Lord through his intercession.