St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Confessor

To be convinced how much the intercession of St. Joseph prevails with Jesus Christ, we have only to consider these words of the Evangelist: "And He was subject to them." The Son of God employed thirty years assiduously obeying Joseph and Mary! It was sufficient for Joseph, by the least word or sign, to show that he wished Him to do anything; Jesus immediately obeyed. This humble obedience of Jesus teaches us that the dignity of Joseph is above that of all the other Saints, except that of the Queen of Saints. Let us hear what St. Teresa says of the confidence which all should place in the protection St. Joseph: "To the other Saints," she says, "it appears that the Lord may have granted power to succor us on particular occasions; but to this Saint, as experience proves, He has granted power to help us on all occasions. Our Lord would teach us that, as He was pleased to be subject to Joseph upon the earth, so He is now pleased to grant whatever this Saint asks for in heaven. Other whom I have recommended to have recourse to Joseph, have known this from experience. I never knew anyone who was particularly devout to him, that did not continually advance more and more in virtue. For the love of God, let him who believes not this make his own trial. And I do not know how any one can think of the Queen of Angels, at the time when she labored so much in the infancy and childhood of Jesus, and not return thanks to Joseph for the assistance which he rendered both to the Mother and to the Son." We should be particularly devout to Saint Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death.

The Feast of St. Joseph (I Class) is normally kept on the 19th of March, but as this date falls within Holy Week, his feast this year is celebrated today. Although I hear that in Ireland It was celebrated yesterday so that St. Patrick's feast day could also be squeezed in before Holy Week begins. So, Happy St. Paddy's Day to all the Irish and Happy St. Joseph's Day to everybody else! A friend of ours here named Joseph organized and cooked dinner for everybody here in honor of his patron Saint. It was delicious, and great fun as common dinners always are.