Listen to the Words of Saint Joseph in the Gospels

That’s a trick headline: there are no words spoken by Saint Joseph in the Gospels! As the saying goes, however, “actions speak louder than words.” His decisive actions were the result of dreams (recounted in Matthew 1 and 2). We revere Mary’s world-changing “yes,” but we remember that Joseph said “yes,” too. He had trust and confidence in God to act when he could not foresee the outcome. His four dreams were to wed Mary though she was pregnant, to flee Bethlehem for Egypt, that it was safe to return to Israel, and to go to Galilee rather than Judea. The Gospels indicate no resistance or question, only obedience for the good of his family. He was not mute. A devout father, he gathered the family to go to Temple, discussed Scriptures and led prayers, spoke as he taught Jesus his trade, prayed with others in the community, and had the mundane conversations typical of daily family life. Jesus listened to his Mother… as he did at the wedding at Cana… Joseph may have instructed him to do so many times, modeling respect of Mary for the young Jesus. Joseph was the first person conceived with original sin whom the newborn Jesus saw, and the first to hold the Holy Child. Today, we can hold Christ in our hearts and in the Eucharist. It is fitting that the Feast of Saint Joseph occurs during Lent. It is a time for reflection and resolution, for contemplation of how we can be more trusting and devoted in our faith, and to assess how we act with our families and others. As we remember Saint Joseph, pray for fathers, living and deceased, those good and those troubled, that they embrace the example of Saint Joseph in their families and with all those wholy on their judgments and actions.

Saint Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, pray for us.

If you know our council by now, you know that our annual Lenten fish fry is very popular! This year, the days are Friday March 7 and Friday March 21! Come spend some time with your friends at your local parish and enjoy your community! Or you can pick it up in our drive-thru!

Order now using the link below. We hope to see you there!

Fish Fry Order Form

Remember the Feast of the Holy Spouses on January 23

A lesser-known centuries-old feast that celebrates the marriage of Saint Joseph and Mary is growing in recognition. The better-known one is the Feast of the Holy Family, usually celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas. This feast, however, brings focus on the promises made in the marriage covenant of Joseph and Mary. It was first observed in the late 1400s in some areas. The Oblates of Saint Joseph integrated it into their calendar in the 1880s. The reorganization of the Catholic liturgical calendar in 1961 removed the observance, but it returned in 1989. The Oblate website, holyspouses.org, has information about prayers for Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and a Holy Spouses Rosary. Support of “the domestic church” is an essential mission of the Knights. The organization believes “How you live your faith in your councils, families, parishes and community has a ripple effect that changes the world… [and] deliberately chooses to live contrary to what seems like a Godless world and says, ‘In our home, council and parish, we choose to live our faith.’” On January 23, pray for families, engaged couples, and those contemplating marriage, especially those who find themselves in challenging situations. May the holy promises that Saint Joseph and Mary made inspire each of us to strive for devoted lives in the fullness of God’s grace.