St. Joseph

Duhallow News

Saint Joseph - One Of Our Greatest Saints

By TOM DENNEHY

On March 19th we celebrate the feast day of Saint Joseph, one of our greatest saints. The role of Saint Joseph was given a special place last year when Pope Francis declared 2021 to be the year of Saint Joseph. On March 19th last year, Pope Francis elevated Ireland’s national Marian Shrine of Knock to international status and also decreed it to be a Eucharistic Shrine. Saint Joseph was present with Our Lady, Saint John and the Lamb of God on the altar with the angels hovering overhead on 21nd of August 1879. He also appeared at the final apparition at Fatima with the child Jesus in his arms and blessed the world. This gave new impetus to a great saint who up until then was not recognised sufficiently for the significant part he played in God’s plan to bring salvation to mankind.

St. Joseph as exemplary husband and father figure-

St. Joseph, a quiet and humble man, had great faith and it was this faith which guided him through many troubles. He was a selfless man who only thought of serving Jesus and Mary with the sacrifices he made. He trusted God and God entrusted the care of the Saviour of the world to him. He was God the Father’s earthly shadow here on Earth protecting Jesus during his life. He took his religious responsibilities seriously and was a devout man of prayer. He provided a stable home and worked as a carpenter. He prayed daily with his family. He shouldered his responsibilities with courage in dangerous times. He protected Jesus from Herod. He was in essence, a just man. He was very close to God and was led by the Holy Spirit. “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home”. (Matthew 1:24-25) In a world in which the role of the family is under attack, St. Joseph offers protection to all who come to him in prayer.

St. Joseph as Patron Saint-

St Joseph is patron saint of the Universal Church. His protection is very much needed at this time as it is under sustained Satanic attack with many no longer practising their faith and Christians being massacred daily. He is also patron saint of the family, fathers, travellers, migrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and workers. On May 1st we also celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. He is very close to the dying and is patron saint of the dying and patron of a happy death.

Devotion of great saints to St Joseph-

Many of our great saints were very close to St Joseph. Saint Faustina, in her diary entry 1203, writes: Saint Joseph urged me to have a constant devotion to him... He looked at me with great kindness and gave me to know how much he supported this work (of mercy). He promised me special help and protection. St Teresa of Avila had a special devotion to him and wrote the following words: Knowing by experience St Joseph’s astonishing influence with God, I would wish to persuade everyone to honour him with particular devotion.

St. Joseph as Intercessor-

St. Joseph continues to intercede for us in Heaven acting as a living witness to our living God. Our world today is very much in need of his mighty intercession. Pope Francis favoured this prayer to St Joseph: Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome. – (Name your request). Beloved Saint Joseph, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.