Pope Francis has proclaimed 2021 to be ‘The Year of St Joseph’ and this week on the 19th March we celebrate St Joseph’s Feast Day.

It is interesting that there is not one record of a word spoken by Joseph in the Scriptures yet aside from Mary the mother of Jesus, no other person is recalled more in the teachings of the Church up and down the centuries.

We have much that we can learn from Joseph. He showed great courage in becoming the legal father to Jesus. He was a tender and loving father, who showed great faith in the word of God. He was trusting and patient with his wife Mary and was happy to support his wife and son from the shadows. He was a hard worker and taught Jesus many life lessons.

Let us pray with these words from 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.