Journey with St. Joseph

If there were ever a year as a Catholic Christian to go on a journey with St. Joseph — most just, most chaste, most prudent, most courageous, most obedient, most faithful — to both learn and experience his litany of attributes, we are in it.

The Holy Father, our own archdiocese, Catholic multimedia, and the many movements whose apostolates support the vital necessity of family life are providing an abundance of spiritual devotions, learning resources and material goods.

And designed to help see through the lens of this “just man” as he is presented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Catholic Watchmen strive to emulate his spiritual fatherhood — married, single, celibate or consecrated.

Our own Catechism of the Catholic Church describes scripturally the habits and firm disposition of a life of virtue — such as one led by St. Joseph: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is anything of excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8). The teachings on the virtues follow those of the moral conscience — either choosing in accord with a well-formed conscience “with reason and the divine law” or slipping into “erroneous judgment.” Decisions that the leader of the Holy Family made — albeit silent in the Scriptures — were reached through faith, hope and love. Politics, safety and the rule of government were all in play in the life of the Holy Family.

St. Joseph’s decisions were made in an environment not unlike the environment we preside in today, specifically concerning the needs of our families, our parishes, our communities and our country. To choose wisely takes hard work. Seeking the truth on issues, options and solutions, in order to act with a well-formed conscience often requires immense discipline. The skill and open-mindedness to navigate, investigate and study multiple resources. Some sources or places may not be so friendly to Christian beliefs as it relates to families, relatives and friends in some or many cases. St. Joseph gives faith and hope as we read, observe, learn and contemplate his life of virtue. What better time than now?

Feb. 15 is a great time for Watchmen groups and others to dedicate time to a consecration to St. Joseph. This devotion is for individuals and groups of any manageable size to study, pray and integrate their lives with this virtuous man and the Holy Family. A 33-day preparation period presents itself and comes to fruition on March 19 — the feast of St. Joseph — with a prayer of consecration to this holy man for his powerful intercession. More about the preparation period and the year of St. Joseph is at archspm.org/synod/stjoseph.

As Catholic Watchmen groups move from Zoom to more personal gatherings, material for ongoing discussions and prayer vigils based on the book the archdiocese recommends — “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of our Spiritual Father,” by Father Donald Calloway — are abundant. To “pray with persistence and with devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph” and to “strive to be a spiritual father like St. Joseph” encompasses two of the three Catholic Watchmen daily disciplines. In the middle lies “encounter Jesus in sacred Scriptures.”

These disciplines are meant for all Catholic men, their families and prayer and study groups via spiritual provision and leadership. It is paramount in helping to fight against both the spiritual and physical attacks that exist today against the dignity of life and the family.

Most of 2020 challenged our wits, patience, relationships, vocations, places to worship, the availability to serve others, educational systems, entertainment venues — and the list goes on. Yet, there are stories where many were healed and strengthened in holiness during this time.

Dedicate a time for consecration to St. Joseph — and lead others if you have already gone through one! Continue with a monthly Holy Hour that emphasize the litany and the virtues of St. Joseph — first Saturdays, for example. Praying with persistence with a devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph emulates the holiest of families, who certainly had their share of spiritual warfare.

Ite ad Ioseph! Go to St. Joseph in 2021.

Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount, All Saints in Lakeville and assists the archdiocese’s Catholic Watchmen movement. Reach him at [email protected]. Learn about the Catholic Watchmen at archspm.org/faith-communities/men.