Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Feast Day March 19th

(This is the statue of Saint Joseph my family has in our home on our fireplace mantle)

Today, we celebrate Saint Joseph. Most of my life, I honestly didn't think too much about Saint Joseph aside from him being the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the earthly father to whom God entrusted the care of His only Begotten Son. Saint Joseph never says a word in the Bible, but I've since learned that what he says through his actions—allowing God to speak to him and trusting and following God's plans without hesitation— speak volumes of him as a person and his character, and allow us a glimpse into the virtues of the most holy Saint to ever live (The Blessed Virgin Mary is in a category all her own above the Saints!).   

My personal devotion to Saint Joseph, and realization of his awesomeness, began in the fall of 2019. My husband and I were in the process of listing our home on the market and looking for a house that would accommodate our growing family. As a child, I remember my parents buying a Saint Joseph statue and praying for his intercession to help them find the right home to move their family to. So, I bought a Saint Joseph statue and my husband and I then prayed, asking for Saint Joseph's intercession, to help us find our new family home and the right school to send our children to, and then we waited and trusted.  

Fast forward to January 2020, my family had successfully moved to our new home, and I learned that Father Donald Calloway had just released the book, Consecration to Saint Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father, and a world-wide consecration to Saint Joseph was about to begin. My husband and I participated, and completed, our consecration to Jesus through Saint Joseph's spiritual paternal care on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph that year. Talk about an amazing book! If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to do so—you will learn so much about Saint Joseph and grow in your faith journey. The new insights I learned about Saint Joseph, from Father Calloway, not only inspired me to look at the father of the Holy Family in a new way, but learning of how many saints have known about the amazing gift of Saint Joseph as an intercessor and spiritual father was enlightening! And then to add the frosting to the cake, Father Calloway discussed how the Catholic Church needs Saint Joseph now more than ever; and then on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020, Pope Francis declared "The Year of Saint Joseph!" Needless to say, I’m renewing my consecration to Jesus through Saint Joseph this year. I hope you and your family grow in your love and devotion of Saint Joseph, and come to see how powerful of an intercessor he is for us in Heaven. Saint Joseph, Protector of the Holy Church, Pillar of Families, and Terror of Demons, pray for us! 

Celebrating with Food:

Since Saint Joseph, humble spouse, father, and worker,  lived with the Holy Family in Nazareth, try making a traditional Nazarene meal. The website,"Nazareth Village," has descriptions of what a typical biblical Nazarene meal would have looked like. My family makes hummus using this easy and delicious recipe from Rachael Ray. We then serve it with warm naan bread, bought at Kroger, sliced cheese, and vegetables for dipping. This year, I am going to attempt to make Labneh—a yogurt dip similar in consistency to American cream cheese— for the first time. It is going to be an adventure! I will be straining plain whole-milk yogurt mixed with salt through a cheese cloth—wish me luck! I will be using this recipe from the website, “Feasting at Home.” 

(Saint Joseph doll from “Be a Heart” checking out the Lebneh making)

For something sweet, you can also make “Jewish Hamantaschen Cookies.” The website, “The Spruce Eats,” has a wonderful recipe. These cookies are traditionally made to remember the story of Esther. My family decided to make them to honor Saint Joseph and the Holy Family’s heritage and modified the three-point hat design to represent each member of the Holy Family. They are delicious! The only changes I made to the recipe were cutting it in half, using 10 tablespoons of butter instead of margarine, and using apricot and raspberry preserves.  Making a meal from a different culture is a wonderful way to help your children connect and relate to various people and places.  

Below is our “Saint Joseph’s Table” completed feast! I loved beginning this table setting tradition this year. 

Celebrating with a Craft:

Today, make wooden birdhouses. Saint Joseph was a carpenter and provided a home for the Holy Family. You and your family, can engage in a bit of carpentry and build a home for birds who will be nesting this spring. Since I have toddlers, we will be making "Melissa and Doug birdhouses." They are simple and relatively in expensive–$10.99 on Amazon. Each year, you and your family can do a different wood working project together based on your children's ages and abilities. If wood working is not your thing, you can make paper lilies representing purity, since Saint Joseph, the most chaste spouse, is traditionally depicted holding them. The website, "The Spruce Crafts," has a tutorial for how to fold a paper lily.   

Celebrate with Prayer: 

Together as a family, say the following prayers: "The Memorare to St. Joseph," a prayer asking for Saint Joseph's intercession, and Pope Francis's prayer that he wrote and has encouraged the faithful to say for the "Year of Saint Joseph."

Memorare to Saint Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen. 

Prayer of Saint Joseph by Pope Francis

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.

(A drawing I made of Saint Joseph)