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FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Joseph is honored with feast days throughout the Liturgical Year.
This feast encourages us look at Joseph's role as husband and head
of the Holy Family.

Most of what we know about the life of St. Joseph comes to us from
Scripture and legends that have sprung up concerning his life.
Though Joseph is only mentioned by two of the Evangelists, he is
paid the compliment of being a "just" man. This is a way of saying
that Joseph was such a good and holy man that he shares in God's
own holiness. In addition in sharing in God's holiness, Joseph gives
us an example of how to be a just spouse and how to have holy
relationships.

Joseph's example as a husband can be best seen in how he
respected Mary. He realized that God had a special plan for his wife
and for his son, and Joseph did everything in his power to help this
plan become reality. When Joseph was given chances to give up his
vocation to the married life, by divorcing Mary or leaving her, he
resisted the temptation and stayed by her side providing support and
love.

The feast of St. Joseph Husband of Mary has been celebrated
throughout the Church since the tenth century and has been honored
as the Patron of the Universal Church since 1870. St. Joseph is the
patron of workers, carpenters, Austria, Belgium, Bohemia, Canada,
Mexico, Peru, and southern Vietnam.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian
and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and
Mary, Joseph's wife. He carried out this vocation with complete
fidelity until at last God called him, saying 'Good and faithful servant,
enter into the joy of your Lord.' -St. Bernadine of Siena

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TODAY IN HISTORY

1937 Pius XI proclaims encyclical "Divini redemptoris"

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TODAY'S TIDBIT

It is traditional that bread, pastries, and other foods are blessed on
this day, and a large portion of it is given to the poor.

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INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of St. Joseph, for all husbands
and fathers.