Will He look like me?

"What will He look like?" I'm sure this was a question that Joe must have asked himself over and over again during the final days of Mary's pregnancy with Jesus. The question, "Will He look like me?", probably caused Joe some anxiety too. "If He happens to look like me, will others think that He is my son? Will they not believe me when I say that Mary is still a virgin? How could I expect them to understand if I myself do not understand how all this is possible?"

Now, imagine... 

It is a little past midnight. Mary and Joe are in a cave with animals all around with all the smells and sounds this entails. The only light and heat they have is from a little twig fire that crackles just a few feet away. Mary has been experiencing contractions for the last several hours, and the time of delivery is here. Joe is the only other person she trusts and permits to assist her in delivering her Child, but he has never assisted in the delivery of a child - let alone this Child! With the temptation to fear that he will mess-up and cause the death of his wife and her Child pressing hard upon him, he cries out to the Father in a short but urgent prayer:

God, come to me quickly! 

You are my help and deliverer. 

Lord, do not delay!

-Psalm 70:6

Now Joe turns his full attention to his wife as he is in anguish in seeing his beloved wife suffer the pains of giving birth. The delivery happens, and before he knows it, he is holding this crying newborn king in his hands. Joe is the first to hold Him -he is the first to see His Face- and he is astonished to see that this little Boy looks just like him. He is stunned. He does not know what to say or think. He can only look upon this Child with love, and he begins to experience that weird mix of crying and laughing at the same time. 

He knows that this Child is not his by nature; instead, he knows that he has received this Child as a gift from God through Mary. Mary! He became so enraptured with this Child that he actually forgot about her! While all these thoughts and emotions are passing through Joe, Mary just laid there and looked with patient love upon her beloved husband and Son. Joe looks up at Mary, and with tear-filled eyes, he hands the Child to her. 

The Human Face of God is now seen! God is with us! Come, let us adore Him!

Christmas is Coming

Yesterday and today, we have heard the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew at Mass. Yesterday, the Gospel of Mass was the genealogy (Matt. 1:1-17), and today, the Gospel of Mass is the Annunciation of Joe (Matthew 1:18-25). These two readings begin the octave of preparation for Christmas each year. Why?

First, I think this is one way in which we recognize the real importance of Joe in the story of the Gospel. In God’s Province, he was the one through whom God would fulfill His promise to David to set on his throne a son who would rule forever (2 Sam. 7:12-13).

Second, this marks the beginning of the recreation of the world. Recall that the Book of Genesis begins with two stories of the “beginnings” (Genesis 1:1ff, and Genesis 2:4ff). The first is like a litany, and the second is like a narrative. Same with Matthew’s opening. As God chose to prepare the world for Adam in Genesis, so the Father chose to prepare Joe for Jesus in Matthew. As Adam was brought forth from the soil, so Jesus was brought forth from Joe. As Adam was to have dominion over the soil, so Jesus is to have dominion over Joe.

We are approaching Christmas, or rather, Christmas is approaching us. Like Joe, are we allowing ourselves to be prepared for Him who is to have dominion over us? In the midst of the busyness of preparing for the day, are we regularly resting like Joe in prayer and listening to the Voice of God speaking to us? Shhhh. Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation of the Word (John 1:1-14). Do you hear what I hear? Do you hear the Word spoken to you - within you?

Christmas is coming! Come, let us adore Him!

Guadalupe Joe

Tomorrow, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I am reminded of an image that a friend of mine shared with me when he was visiting Catholic Family Land in Bloomingdale, Ohio;

 

Obviously, it is based on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And why not?

Joe at the Manger

This past Sunday, Pope Francis sent an Apostolic Letter in which he spoke about “the meaning and importance of the Nativity Scene”. I found paragraph #7 worth sharing here in part:

Gradually, we come to the cave, where we find the figures of Mary and Joseph... At Mary’s side, shown protecting the Child and his Mother, stands Saint Joseph. He is usually depicted with staff in hand, or holding up a lamp. Saint Joseph plays an important role in the life of Jesus and Mary. He is the guardian who tirelessly protects his family. When God warned him of Herod’s threat, he did not hesitate to set out and flee to Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-15). And once the danger had passed, he brought the family back to Nazareth, where he was to be the first teacher of Jesus as a boy and then as a young man. Joseph treasured in his heart the great mystery surrounding Jesus and Mary his spouse; as a just man, he entrusted himself always to God’s will, and put it into practice.

Leaving NCYC with Joe

This past weekend, I was blessed to accompany a group of high schoolers on a trip to the National Catholic Youth Congress (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. I learned when we arrived that there is a standing tradition at NCYC to trade hats and other memorabilia (as well as clipping clothespins on others without them noticing). The last day there, I happened to come across this hard hat, and I begged the high schooler to trade with me. She agreed, and I came home with Joe on my head! I have no idea how many times this hat was traded in order to get me, but I believe Joe was certainly working on making it happen.

It apparently originated from high schooler from St Joseph Parish in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Check out their website here, and if you find yourself in the area, you should stop on in and say a prayer for all young people. As Joe was the guardian of Jesus in His youth, so he is also of all young people.

Prince Joe

As we come to the end of this Liturgical Year and approach the final Sunday of Christ the King of the Universe, I thought it would be appropriate to share (perhaps again?, I don’t really recall) a line from scripture that has been applied to Joe from the early years of the Church: “He made him lord over his household, ruler over all his possessions...” (Psalm 105:21). What immediately follows also catches my attention: “... to instruct his princes as he desired, to teach his elders wisdom.” (Psalm 105:22). 

Joe taught Jesus, Who really was Joe’s elder, but Joe did not allow himself to be filled with pride. No, Joe acted in humility-simply doing what God the Father commanded when He commanded it. For this reason, Joe truly is the greatest prince of his Son’s Kingdom.

This coming Saturday, we remember the memory of Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro, a Mexican Jesuit priest who was martyred for serving the persecuted Catholics of Mexico in 1927. It’s hard for me to believe that it has almost been a whole year since I visited the Church of the Holy Family in Mexico City that keeps his relics. (I shared some pictures in La Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia...) I feel it is appropriate to share once again the painting in the apes of the sanctuary:

Limbo poem by Sr Mary Ada, OSJ

A couple months ago, I came across this poem written by Sr. Mary Ada, OSJ. I’ve been waiting for this month when we remember those who have died in our prayers to share it since this seemed the most appropriate time.

"Limbo"
By: Sr. Mary Ada, OSJ

The ancient greyness shifted
Suddenly and thinned
Like mist upon the moors
Before a wind.
An old, old prophet lifted
A shining face and said :
“He will be coming soon.
The Son of God is dead;
He died this afternoon.”

A murmurous excitement stirred
All souls.
They wondered if they dreamed ---
Save one old man who seemed
Not even to have heard.

And Moses standing,
Hushed them all to ask
If any had a welcome song prepared.
If not, would David take the task?
And if they cared
Could not the three young children sing
The Benedicite, the canticle of praise
They made when God kept them from perishing
In the fiery blaze?

A breath of spring surprised them,
Stilling Moses’ words.
No one could speak, remembering
The first fresh flowers,
The little singing birds.
Still others thought of fields new ploughed
Or apple trees
All blossom-boughed.
Or some, the way a dried bed fills
With water
Laughing down green hills.
The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam
On bright blue seas.
The one old man who had not stirred
Remembered home.

And there He was
Splendid as the morning sun and fair
As only God is fair.
And they, confused with joy,
Knelt to adore
Seeing that he wore
Five crimson stars
He never had before.

No canticle at all was sung.
None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song.
A silent man alone
Of all that throng
Found tongue ----
Not any other.
Close to His heart
When the embrace was done,
Old Joseph said,
“How is Your Mother,
How is Your Mother, Son?”

Joe and All the Saints

Last Friday, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints. It never struck me before until this time, that  the final petition of the Intercessions of Vespers (the Evening Prayer of priests and religious of the Roman Rite) for this feast, included Joe right after Mary:

Bring all who have died into the company of heaven with Mary, Joseph and all Your saints, and give us also a place in the unending fellowship of Your kingdom.

As we continue in the month of November, when we particularly remember and pray for this who have died, I suggest that we pray this prayer each day. Before we know it, we’ll probably have it memorized.

Preparing for Christmas (yes, already)

When I learned about this brand new Advent reflection on Joe written by Fr. Mark Toups, I knew I had to share it with all of you.

I already bought mine and I encourage you to do the same. As Fr Mark said in a short introductory video, if we prepare for a day, then  nothing will change, but if we prepare for a Person, then we will change. Through this Advent reflection we will be able to prepare for Jesus as Joe did.

You can purchase the book (you can also purchase along with it a DVD of accompanying videos) at Ascension Press. Perhaps, you might buy it for someone you think needs to encounter Joe.

Jesus, Joe, and JP II

Yesterday, we celebrated the memory of Pope St. John Paul II. I cannot help but recall his encyclical about Joe, Redemptoris Custos. Here is a little paragraph from it (27), but I cannot recommend highly enough the whole encyclical if you have not already.

Why should the "fatherly" love of Joseph not have had an influence upon the "filial" love of Jesus? And vice versa why should the "filial" love of Jesus not have had an influence upon the "fatherly" love of Joseph, thus leading to a further deepening of their unique relationship? Those souls most sensitive to the impulses of divine love have rightly seen in Joseph a brilliant example of the interior life.

Joe, Teresa and Avila

Yesterday, we celebrated the memory of St Teresa of Avila. It is well known that she had a great devotion to Joe, but did you know that she placed her first reformed Carmel under his patronage? This statue of Joe is still at this Carmel.

200 Men Consecrate Themselves to Joe

A couple days ago I came across this article about 200 college men who consecrated themselves to Joe. How awesome would it be if we could get another 200 young men to do the same!

The Visitation of Mary, with Joe?

Among the various depictions of Joe at St Jude’s in Elyria, this particular stained glass of the Visitation caught my attention. What strikes me is that Joe is depicted in the scene of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth but he is never mentioned in this part of the story (Luke 1:39-56).

I was wondering if there is a tradition of Joe accompanying Mary to visit Elizabeth, and so I did what everyone else does, I googled it. I came across this article by Fr Edward Looney that shortly asks the question from three sources: Scripture, private revelations, and art. His conclusion... there’s no way of knowing for sure.

One of the benefits of the holding the view that Joe accompanied Mary is it offers an answer to how Joseph found Mary “with child through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). In fact, we could understand this passage in a new way: Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, before others were able to know, through the Holy Spirit, Who spoke through Elizabeth that Mary was pregnant (Luke 1:41-45).

Joe in Elyria

A couple days ago, I had the opportunity to stop in the church of St. Jude’s in Elyria, Ohio. I was really struck by the number of images of Joe in the church. I was particularly struck by this statue of the Holy Family:

What strikes me about it is the level of love and comfort that Jesus must have shown to Joe throughout His Childhood. It also shows the intense love that Mary and Joe must have had for each other.

I wondered what was was happening in this scene. Jesus is the only one smiling. I wonder if He said something profound to Joe and Mary that struck them differently.

• Perhaps, Jesus told Joe that he was going to die soon in order to tell all the holy ones waiting for the Savior that He had finally come (Joseph in Hades).
• Perhaps, Jesus went out on a really long walk and just came home after spending a night in prayer with His Heavenly Father, and Mary and Joe were super concerned and Jesus thought it wasn’t a big deal (cf. Luke 6:13).
• Perhaps, this is the scene when Joe informs Jesus and Mary that they are returning back to Israel after being in Egypt, but Joe and Mary are concerned because Herod’s son was ruler in Judea and Jesus is not at all concerned (Matthew 2:19-33).

Whatever the particular scene is that is rendered here, I think what it fundamentally demonstrates is that this truly was a family - a Holy Family.

Redeemer of the Redeemer?

I recently took notice again of a footnote on Luke 2:22 from the NAB-RE:

They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord: as the firstborn son (Lk 2:7) Jesus was consecrated to the Lord as the law required (Ex 13:2, 12), but there was no requirement that this be done at the temple. The concept of a presentation at the temple is probably derived from 1 Sm 1:24–28, where Hannah offers the child Samuel for sanctuary services. The law further stipulated (Nm 3:47–48) that the firstborn son should be redeemed by the parents through their payment of five shekels to a member of a priestly family. About this legal requirement Luke is silent.

I particularly took notice of the final two sentences that seemed strange to me.

The ritual of redeeming a firstborn son as mentioned in Numbers 3:47-48 is called Pidyon Haben. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, the Pidyon Haben replaced the requirement of the consecration of the firstborn son to the Lord if both parents were non-Levites. If either parent was of the tribe of Levi, the son could not be redeemed.

So, I came to basically three possible scenarios. All three of which I think are possible, but I think the first is most probable:

• Joe did not redeem Jesus because Mary was of the tribe of Levi, and therefore Jesus could not be redeemed. 
• I spoke of Mary being of the tribe of Levi in One Mother, Two Roots.
• Joe did not redeem Jesus because he realized the significance of Jesus' mission of being the sacrificial Lamb of God and High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-14).
• This position allows for the possibility that Mary was not of the tribe of Levi, but it does not require it.
• Joe did redeem Jesus by paying the five shekels and Luke just made no mention of it. 
• I think that this is the least probable scenario, 
• but if this is in fact the case, we could rightly call Joe "The Redeemer of the Redeemer".

Joe Causes Conversion and Religious Vocation

Yesterday marked the 200th Anniversary of the death of Sister Frances Margaret Allen. Now, it was not that long ago when I was asking the question that you probably are asking right now... Who in the world was Sr. Frances Margaret Allen?

A couple weeks ago, I came across this article that shared the story of Sr. Frances Margaret. Long story short, she was a convert to Catholicism because Joe appeared to her, and as a result entered the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph, who are still doing ministry today (although I'm sure it looks a bit different from the times of Sr. Frances Margaret).  If you want more of the story, you can check out pages 487-490 of The History of the Catholic Church in the New England States published in 1899.

A little trivia... According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, she was "the first woman of New England birth to become a nun." How cool is that! The first woman of New England birth to become a nun is attributable to Joe's influence. Something to keep in mind as we should pray to Joe for an increase of converts and religious vocations.

Some more trivia... Less than one hundred years after her death, St. André Bessette would begin the process of starting the Oratory of St. Joseph just on the other side of Mount Royal in Montreal where Sr. Frances Margaret was a nun.

Joe the Roofer

A couple weeks ago, I came across a podcast that I've really begun to enjoy listening to called "The Catholic Man Show", and I recommend it for anyone (dads in particular) to listen to some real-important topics but in a light-hearted way. One episode in particular that has stood out to me was The Virtue of Hope with Fr. Philip Bochanski. 

Do you remember the story of Jesus healing the paralytic who was lowered down through the roof in front of Him because there were too many people there (Mt 9:1-8, Mk. 2:1-12, and  Lk 5:17-26)? Well, Fr. Bochanski mentioned a detail of the story in St. Mark's account that I had never noticed before. St. Mark tells us that this happened when Jesus "was at home" (Mark 2:1). 

Well, that means that the guys, who let the paralytic through the roof, had disassembled a part of the roof of Jesus' house, which means that he had to fix it after the incident. Put another way, Jesus was not only a carpenter, He also was a roofer, and who do you think taught him everything he knew about roofing? Joe, of course.

As a side note and pure speculation, perhaps the paralytic had encouraged his friends to take apart the roof and let him down through it. Since he encouraged the destruction of another's property, he would have been culpable for the other mens actions. So, perhaps these were the sins that Jesus forgave (Mark 2:5). After all, I would have been upset if someone had torn apart my roof too.

True Husband and Father

Today, we celebrate the great St. Augustine, the great preacher of the Western Church. In addition to being a great teacher, he also had a great devotion to Joe. Take, for example, Paragraph 26 from one of his homilies on the New Testament:

Among [the Jewish] people then, because it was necessary that there should be an abundant increase until Christ came, by the multiplication of that people in whom were to be prefigured all that was to be prefigured as instruction for the Church, it was a duty to marry wives, by means of whom that people in whom the Church should be foreshown might increase. But when the King of all nations Himself was born, then began the honor of virginity with the Mother of the Lord, who had the privilege of bearing a Son without any loss of her virgin purity. Since it was a true marriage, and a marriage free from all corruption, why should not the husband chastely receive what his wife had chastely brought forth? For as she was a wife in chastity, so was he in chastity a husband; and as she was in chastity a mother, so was he in chastity a father. Whoever then says that he ought not to be called father, because he did not beget his Son in the usual way, looks rather to the satisfaction of passion in the procreation of children, and not the natural feeling of affection. What others desire to fulfill in the flesh, he in a more excellent way fulfilled in the spirit. For thus they who adopt children, beget them by the heart in greater chastity, whom they cannot by the flesh beget. Consider, brethren, the laws of adoption; how a man comes to be the son of another, of whom he was not born, so that the choice of the person who adopts has more right in him than the nature of him who begets him has. Not only then must Joseph be a father, but in a most excellent manner a father...

I also just came across this painting that has Joe and Augustine together. You read a little about it here. St. Augustine is at the bottom left, and Joe is standing right next to Mary. Notice that Jesus and Joe are the only figures looking at each other.

In case of emergency

So, I happened to come across this mug, and knew immediately that I had to share it.

Yes, "In case of emergency ask Joe". While he may not actually be the #sourceofallwisdom, he certainly is the icon of God the Father, who is. So get your own online (you can get it on Amazon), and share with others how Joe has helped you in times of emergency.

Joe at Ephesus

Have you heard the music of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles? If not, you should give them a look (or listen if we want to be technical). Last year, they recorded an album entitled, The Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph at Ephesus. I highly recommend this album and you can get it from their website. Or practically anywhere else online, but remember... support small Catholic Bookstores!

Yummm! Peaches, Prunes, Milk and Rum

I can't say that I've ever had milk and rum. Nor can I say that it sounds appetizing, but apparently St. Therese of Lisieux seemed to enjoy it. In fact, she even seemed to enjoy it so much that she wanted to give some to Joe. This is an account given by one of her sisters (taken from St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations, "The Yellow Notebook", July 24).

She [St Therese] had been sent some beautiful fruit but was unable to eat any of it. She took each one in her hands, one after the other, as though offering them to someone, and then she said:
"The Holy Family has been well served. St. Joseph and the little Jesus have each received a peach and two prunes." Then she asked in a low tone of voice: "I've touched them with pleasure, and perhaps that's not good? I get so much pleasure out of touching fruit, especially peaches, and I like to see them near me." 
After I had reassured her, she continued: "The Blessed Virgin had her share, too. When I'm given milk with rum, I offer it to St. Joseph; I say to myself: Oh, how much good this will do to St. Joseph!
In the refectory, I always considered to whom I should offer the food. Sweets were for little Jesus; strong foods were for St. Joseph, and I didn't forget the Blessed Virgin either. But when I missed anything, for example, when they forgot to give me sauce or salad, I was very happy, for then I could really offer it to the Holy Family, being really deprived of what I was offering."

Spanish Joe in Omaha

I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Cathedral of St. Cecilia (Archdiocese of Omaha, NE). Behind the sanctuary, there was a collection of historical pieces of art and there were several images of Joe there. One in particular caught my attention. It was a carved wood altar and reredos (the back decorative "wall" of an altar). The bottom-center piece is the Holy Family. 

A couple interesting observations:

1. Joe and Mary are clothed in the same colors as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
2. Joe and Mary are crowned as king and queen.
3. Joe is wearing sandals, Mary is wearing shoes, and Jesus is not wearing any footwear.
4. Joe is not holding a lily (Lilies have petals in multiples of three, but the flower Joe is holding has five.)
5. Joe is depicted as young, mature man.

St. Joseph Gems: Daily Wisdom On Our Spiritual Father

A friend of mine gifted to me Fr. Donald H. Calloway's book, St. Joseph Gems: Daily Wisdom On Our Spiritual Father. It's a collection of short quotes from various saints on St. Joseph - one for each day of the year. For example, today's quote is from St. Peter Julian Eymard, "He [St. Joseph] will be the spiritual director of my interior life, in order that I may lead the same life with him, hidden with Jesus and Mary."

I highly recommend this little book. It's great for everyone. As the title suggests, it is indeed full of "gems". You can find it almost anywhere online, but as I always encourage others, so I encourage you, buy from "the small guys". I recommend the following:

• Your local Catholic Bookstore
• Direct from Fr. Calloway's website
• The Catholic Company
• Aquinas and More

Joe, Our Tax Collector

Last Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the first reading at Mass were taken from the last chapters of the Book of Genesis. We could easily call these chapters (37-50) 'The Book of Joseph' since it primarily tells the story of the Old Testament Joseph, the last of the great Old Testament Patriarchs.

On Wednesday, I was struck with the image of tax collectors. The Gospel of the day listed the names of the twelve Apostles and referred to Matthew as "the tax collector". Often tax collectors received and continue to receive a bad rapt for their work; however, we learn that the Old Testament Joseph was himself a tax collector--"he collected all the food of these years of plenty that the land of Egypt was enjoying and stored it in the cities" (Gen. 41:48). I know that I have often complained that the government takes too much of my income in taxes; however, one thing is true, they have never taken all of it (despite it feeling like it at times!). Yet, we could say that Joseph did; he collected all the food, not some, not most. How do you think that made the Egyptians feel during those seven years of plenty? Here is a foreigner, ex-slave, and accused sex-offender, demanding all of the produce of their hard earned labor. I would have been extremely upset. But Joseph, unlike so many of the tax-collectors in the New Testament, did not impose ridiculously high taxes for his own sake, but for the sake of others placed under his care by the "god"-man, Pharaoh.

We already know that the Old Testament Joseph prefigures Joe in many ways, so can we say that he prefigures Joe in this way as well? I think the answer is yes.

In my experience in prayer, has been that when I give to Joe any intention -whether in times of spiritual plenitude or famine- he has always taken it and made the situation better. In a way, Joe has become my heavenly tax collector. For the last year or so, I've begun adding to letters "All for Jesus. All through Mary. All with Joseph." This is exactly what the Old Testament Joseph did. He collected the grain with the Egyptian people. I encourage you, maybe I'll even say that I dare you, let Joe be your heavenly tax collector in times of plentitude and famine, whether spiritual or physical. You will not be disappointed! You will survive whatever famine may be coming your way. He has been appointed by the true God-man, Jesus Christ, to this office, and he will not let you die of starvation!

A Year with Joe

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since we’ve begun “looking for Waldo” on this blog! I’m not exactly sure whether it feels like it’s been more or less than a year ago. (it's been a really wacky year for me!) He truly has blessed my life with his intercession over the course of the year, and I pray that he has blessed you too!

Looking back... I think my favorite post was Joseph in Hades. And I loved all the paintings, iconography, statuary, and mosaics.

Looking forward, please pray for me, and know of my prayers for you and for every person who visits this blog. Joe wants to help us survive whatever famine each of us may be enduring, whether it be spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, or all of the above. “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” (Gen. 41:55)

I am convinced that if we are obedient to Joe as Jesus was, we too shall "advance in wisdom and age and favor before God and man." (Luke 2:51-52). May this next year be fruitful and blessed!

A New-Old Litany

I recently came across this old Litany of St. Joseph. It was published in a Carmelite prayer book published in 1846.

Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, spouse of St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Joseph, confirmed in grace, pray for us.
St. Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate, pray for us.
St. Joseph, favorite of the King of heaven, pray for us.
St. Joseph, ruler of the family of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Joseph, spouse of the ever-blessed virgin, pray for us.
St. Joseph, example of humility and obedience, pray for us.
St. Joseph, mirror of silence and resignation, pray for us.
St. Joseph, patron of innocence and youth, pray for us.
St. Joseph, exiled with Christ into Egypt, pray for us.
St. Joseph, intercessor for the afflicted, pray for us.
St. Joseph, advocate of the humble, pray for us.
St. Joseph, model of every virtue, pray for us.
St. Joseph, honored among men, pray for us.
St. Joseph, union of all Christian perfections, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
     spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
     graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
     have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy St. Joseph,
     that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,
Holy St. Joseph, who is the good and faithful servant, to whom God committed the care of his family and to whom He appointed guardian and protector of the life of Jesus Christ, the comfort and support of His holy mother, and co-partner in His great design of the redemption of mankind.

You Who have the happiness of living with Jesus and Mary, and of dying in their arms; chaste spouse of the mother of God; model and patron of pure souls; humble, patient, and reserved; be moved with the confidence we place in your intercession, and accept with kindness this testimony of our devotion.

We give thanks to God for the signal favors He was pleased to confer on you, and we implore Him to make us imitate your virtues by your intercession.

Pray for us then, O great saint, and by that love, which you had for Jesus and Mary, and by the love which Jesus and Mary had for you, obtain for us the incomparable happiness of living and dying in the love of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

(I revised a bit of the final prayer to be more "modern English" so to say...)

Joe in Omaha, NE

This past Sunday, I went to St. Joseph's Church in Omaha for Mass. I truly was a beautiful church. I particularly loved the stained-glass which depicted scenes in Joe's life:

Returning Home and the Eucharist

In the Roman Rite, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) either tomorrow or this coming Sunday. A couple months ago, I had a post (House of Loreto) about the House of Loreto in Italy--the house of the Holy Family that was miraculously transported from Israel to Italy. St. Therese of Lisieux stopped at the House of Loreto on her pilgrimage to Rome. She wrote about this stop in her autobiography, particularly on receiving the Holy Eucharist there, A Story of a Soul (Chapter 6):

On to Loreto with my heart full of joy; Our Lady certainly chose an ideal setting for the Holy House, everything poor and simple and primitive, the women still in their charming national costumes, not as elsewhere in the latest Paris fashions, and I was enchanted. But what of the Holy House itself! This very roof had once sheltered the Holy Family; Our Lord's divine eyes had gazed upon these walls; the earth had known the sweat of Joseph's toil, and Mary had here borne Jesus in her womb, then in her arms; how deeply I was moved! I saw the little room where the Annunciation took place and put my Rosary in the bowl once used by Jesus as a child. What enchanting memories these are!

The greatest joy of all was to receive Jesus in His own house and become His living temple in the very place where He had dwelt on earth. According to the Roman custom, the Blessed Eucharist is only reserved at one altar in each church, and the priest only gives Communion to the faithful from there; in Loreto this Altar is in the Basilica which enshrines the Holy House like a priceless diamond in a casket of white marble. This would not do for us; it was in the diamond, not merely in its casket, that we wished to be given the Bread of Angels. Father, docile as ever, followed the rest, but his daughters, who were more independent, made for the Santa Casa itself. A priest with special dispensation was saying Mass there, and we told him what we wished so much to do. This considerate priest at once asked for two small hosts and placed them on the paten. You can guess what a joy that Communion was, a joy beyond words. So what will an eternal Communion be like in the House of the King of Heaven?

The joy of that will never be clouded by the sadness of farewell; there will be no need to steal fragments from the walls which His presence sanctified, for His house will be all our own forever and ever. It is not His earthly house He wants to give us. He shows us that only to make poverty and the bidden life dear to us. It is His palace of glory that He is keeping for us, and we shall see Him then, not in the guise of a child or under the form of bread, but as He is, radiant in His infinite beauty.

St. Joseph on Fire

I'm sure that Joe must have felt as if his own house was on fire when he found Mary to be pregnant. This past May 1st (coincidentally, Feast of St. Joseph, the Worker), the church of St. Joseph Parish in Phoenix, Arizona caught fire. You can check out pictures here. But very much like their patron, the did not allow the fire in their life to extinguish their worship of God. Now, they continue to celebrate the Mass and other sacraments.

If you are willing and able, you can donate to help with the reconstruction of their church in honor of Joe. You can do that either online at the parish website, or I'm sure that you could mail them a check:

St. Joseph Catholic Church

11001 N. 40th Street

Phoenix, AZ 85028

As in all things every little bit counts... most especially prayers!

Traveling to Bethlehem

I'm writing this post early because this week, I'm on an actual 8-day silent retreat--meaning, no internet! Yeah!!! Please, pray for me and the other men with me.

Last week, I shared a little about the Coptic feast of the Entrance into Egypt, but we know that this was not the first time the Holy Family had to travel.

I love this icon written by Brother Claude Lane, O.S.B. particularly because Mary is clothed the same as when she appeared at Guadalupe. You can learn more about the particular symbolism in this icon here. The last little section connects the Holy Eucharist with Joe. There will be more on this connection next week!

By the way, did you know that the Aztec symbols in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe indicate that she was pregnant. You can learn more about the symbolism in the Guadalupe image here.

Go Into the Desert

I've found it very interesting that in the Roman Rite, we do not celebrate a memorial of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt when King Herod tried to kill the infant Jesus--especially during these times when refugees are in the news frequently.

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, which is centrally in Egypt, this feast is of particular importance. Imagine that Jesus, Mary, and Joe visited and stayed in your country for several years. I would find that to be of particular importance too!

The Coptic Church celebrates the Holy Family's entrance into Egypt every year on June 1st, which they call the 24th of Pashons and is coming up this Saturday. The icon on the above is a Coptic icon. Check out this other blog post explaining the significance of Egyptian images in it.

Here are two other icons of the flight into Egypt:

 

Notice the difference in how Joe is depicted. In the first icon, Joe is depicted as an elderly man and there is a young man following; the young man is St. James, who is Joe's biological son by previous marriage according to the usual tradition that Joe was elderly. Also, notice that even though Joe is elderly in this icon, he's still carrying Jesus on his shoulders--giving witness to the tradition that even if Joe was elderly, he remained physically strong.

This past Monday, I started a 9-week spirituality "program," although, it feels more like a quasi-academic retreat. It has been a major part of the Catholic Tradition to consider times of retreat like going into the desert to pray. So, I ask for your prayers as I join the Holy Family in going into the desert for these next 8 1/2-weeks.

Joe and the Priest

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of witnessing the priestly ordination of nine men. During which, I was reminded of a short section of St. John XXIII’s Apostolic Exhortation, Sacrae Laudis:

The recent Christmas festivities brought us during those holy days closer, not only to the Mother but to her spouse, dear St. Joseph, both on their way to Bethlehem, towards the accomplishment of the great mystery of the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Who is more worthy than the priest to be on familiar terms with St. Joseph 'to whom was given not only to see and hear God but to carry him, kiss him, dress him and guard him'? Therefore, on the occasion of his feast, on the nineteenth of March last year, we entrusted also to St. Joseph the supreme task of protecting this Council (Le Voci), as he had already been proclaimed Patron Saint of the Universal Church by the first Vatican Council on 8 December 1869.***

Let us pray for our priests, seminarians, and for an increase of men answering the call to discern priestly ministry!


***Interestingly, this decree was actually published on 8 December 1870 (not 1869) as Pope St. John XXIII wrote in his encyclical Le Voci (which by the way is a great summary of the 19th-20th century papal decrees regarding Joe).

Whatever you ask the Father in my name

In Terror of Demons, I shared a quote from St. Teresa of Avila's Autobiography in which she wrote that Joe had answered all of her petitions to God through him without fail. I can honestly say that this has largely been my experience too.

Just a couple days ago, I was struck by what Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." (John 16:23) I've said many times already that Joe, as Jesus' earthly father, is the perfect icon of God the Father. If this is so, then it makes sense why he has been found to be a powerful intercessor in every case. I would go so far as to say that Jesus also says to us, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask Joseph in my name he will give you."

If you want to know the Father's Heart, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” (Gen. 41:55)

Joe at Theology on Tap|Heights

As promised, here is the video recording of Fr. Boniface's talk at Theology on Tap|Heights if you couldn't be there (or if you just want to rewatch it).

Joe went to Steubenville

If you couldn't make it to Fr. Boniface's Theology on Tap | Heights talk last Wednesday, you seriously missed out! I hope that the recording will be posted soon so that I can share.

But don't worry too much. Instead, you can watch a round-table discussion that Fr. Boniface was a part of as a part of the Franciscan University Presents project...

Joe the Builder

Today is an awesome day! First and foremost we continue our celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection in the Easter Season. Today, we also celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Carpenter today on May 1st.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” (John 14:1-4)

Why do I share this? First, Joe was a carpenter in this life; so, why could he not be a carpenter in Eternal Life? Second, what if Joe really was assumed body and soul into heaven?

Do you think it’s possible (if not probable) that Jesus and Joseph are working together to build the Father’s house for us? I find it to be a humbling thought that Jesus and Joseph might be working on my heavenly bedroom or yours right now.

Pure speculation… but one I like to think about.

And what is “the way” that Jesus spoke about at the Last Supper? To Jesus, through Mary, with St. Joseph!

Joe comes to Theology on Tap|Heights

If you are able come on out for this talk on Joe by Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B. It'll be well worth it!
Click here for the Facebook event page.

Do you have a friend named Joe?

Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Indeed, he is risen!

When someone is our friend, we normally expect that they would help us in our times of need. We, in turn, should find it easy to do favors for them without expecting anything in return. Friends simply do good things for friends. Do you consider Joe to be a friend? If so, do you only expect things from Joe, or do you things for his honor as well?

Today, I want to share a story related by one of the sisters (both biological and Carmelite) of St. Therese of Lisieux that demonstrates this point:
She [Therese] had cast some flowers at a statue of St. Joseph which was in the garden at the end of the chestnut walk, saying in a childish tone of voice:  "Take them!"

I asked: "Why are you throwing flowers at St. Joseph? To obtain a special favor?"

"Ah, no! It's just to please him; I don't want to give in order to receive."
(Taken from: St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations, "The Yellow Notebook" June 11)

Joseph in Hades

We enter the most sacred time of year: when we commemorate and reflect on the words of the Apostles' Creed: "He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell, and on the third day, He rose again from the dead." It's a bit long, but today I'm sharing with you one of my narrative reflections on the "descended into hell." It begins with Joe's death and concludes with Christ:


Being sixty years old, thirty from having made the Son of God the Son of man (Mt. 1:25), St. Joseph completed his divinely appointed task of preparing his Son for His divinely appointed task—to make sons of men the sons of God once again (Lk. 3:38). 

Thus, with the blessing of his Son, Joseph was gathered together with his fathers to await that blessed moment when the Gates of Hades would be torn open. He closed his fleshly eyes to this world and opened his spiritual eyes to behold all of his great ancestors. 

Filled with great delight and joy, he exclaimed to all, “He has come! I have held Him! I have named Him! I have taught Him! Rejoice everyone, for He has come!” At this, the Gates of Hades shook a little with fear, and all “were amazed at what was said” (Lk. 2:33), and Satan went off to see whether Jesus was truly the Son of God (Mt. 4:1-11).

Then, one by one, the great prophets and patriarchs approached Joseph to inquire of whom he spoke.

ISAIAH: Of whom do you speak?
JOSEPH: I speak of him of whom you wrote, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” (Mt. 1:23, Is. 7:14).

DAVID: “The virgin shall be with child?” Tell me, how is this possible?
JOSEPH: It is made possible by the Blessed One who once said to you “You are my son; today I have begotten you.” (Ps. 2:7) Unknowingly, you wrote about Him who has come, but I fear that what you wrote in one of your psalms was written of Him too (Ps. 22).

BEN SIRACH: Is it possible that I, too, unknowingly wrote of him in my final canticle (Sirach 51:1-12)?
JOSEPH: Yes, searcher of Divine Wisdom, and this gives me great comfort. Rejoice, because Wisdom will find you soon.

SOLOMON: I too searched for Divine Wisdom, yet in my weakness I could not withstand the allurements of false beauty (1 Kings 11:1-8).
JOSEPH: You sought to be clothed in fine linens and silks. He, instead, prefers to be clothed by his heavenly Father like the wild flowers are (Mt. 6:28-30, 32).

MOSES: If you held him, named him, and taught him, why then are you not called his father?
JOSEPH: Indeed, I was called his father (Lk. 2:48), and so I was according to the flesh but not by the flesh. He has only one Father according to the Spirit and by the Spirit (Lk. 1:35). For according to the Spirit, He received the same Name from the Blessed One Who revealed His Name to you: I AM (Ex. 3:14), according to the flesh, He received the Name ‘Jesus’ (Lk. 2:21).

JOSHUA: “Jesus!” That is a form of my name! But how is it possible that the One who bears the Name ‘I AM’ bears my name as well?
JOSEPH: He bears both because both are what He is. He is the Lord, and as Lord, he shall save us from our sins (Mt. 1:21), and like you, he will lead us into the New Promised Land (Lk. 23:43).

OLD TESTAMENT JOSEPH: My friend, I am sorry, but have we met? For it seems as if I already know you.
JOSEPH: No, we have not met, but we share the same name because, by Providence, you prefigured me in so many ways. Rejoice! For as you were chosen to store and distribute grain in time of famine (Gen. 41:47-49, 53-57), so I was chosen to store and give away the Bread of Life to all of humanity (John 6:35).

ABRAHAM: I was blessed once to have been able to give bread to the Lord, and it was then that the Lord promised me a son (Gen. 18:1-15). Do you think there is a deeper meaning than Isaac in his words?
JOSEPH: O my father in faith! Yes, there is a great meaning. For I believe that the Lord’s command to sacrifice Isaac is the key. The Lord spared your son, and in his place, He gave you a ram (Gen. 22:1-19). The new Ram is my Son and the Son of God. In his Power will change the bread that you gave into the Divine Bread—the sacrificed flesh of the Lamb of God (Mt. 26:26). Rejoice father! For as you were generous in giving bread to the Lord, so now, He will be even more generous in return.

NOAH: How is it that I find what you say to be hard to understand but beautiful, yet when the Lord sent the flood to drown my enemies (Gen. 6-7), I found it easy to understand but ugly?
JOSEPH: That is because, noble Noah, that you have not yet been drowned beneath the cleansing waters of Baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21). Like you, I am a carpenter, and I passed on our trade to my Son. He will drown our wickedness and save us by wood. For this reason we should proclaim, “Blest is the wood through which righteousness comes about!” (Wisdom 14:7).

ABEL: You speak, young Joseph, about wood saving us—wood prepared by the Lamb of God. I offered a lamb as a burnt holocaust to God (Gen. 4:4). How is it possible that the Lamb prepares the altar too?
JOSEPH: Love. Love. Love is the only way. It was Love that caused Him to become like us in all things except sin (Heb. 2:17) It is Love that drives Him to prepare Himself as priest, altar, and victim. It is the Love of God for us that is the answer to all our questions.

ADAM: How could He love me? I fell because I wanted to make myself be like Him (Gen. 3:5-6).
JOSEPH: Rejoice, father of humanity! Yes, you fell because you wanted make yourself be like Him, but now He has fallen from heaven in order to be like you. He has come to take away your sin. He has come to become the new Fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and He desires that you eat this new Fruit. This time, you will not die, because He is also the Fruit of the Tree of Life. Soon, He will beckon you to partake of this Fruit. You will live and be like Him! You were once driven out of the Garden of Eden; so once again, He will enter the Garden “at the breezy time of the day” (Gen. 2:8), and when He comes out as the new Gardener (John 20:15), He will draw you to a Garden far greater than the one from which you came. He will bring you into His own home (Lk. 23:43). Rejoice, father of humanity, for He is the new Adam, and He will call out for you!

At this point, Hades began to shake and rock. At the same time, blood began to pour down like rain—covering all who were there. At this, Blessed Joseph cried out so that all could hear:

“Now is the hour! Now is the day of salvation! My Son comes as the Paschal Lamb who is slain. Come everyone! Quick, let us greet Him at Hades’s Gates! Do you hear that pounding? I’m sure that it is He in His agony, and He is becoming emboldened. As Hades weakens Him in the flesh, He weakens Hades’s Gates, and when Hades has finished its foul deed, He will cry out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

Then, as if they were just pieces of straw swept up by a tornado, the Gates of Hades burst open, and the Light of the World (John 8:12) flooded all of Hades’s dark caves and crevices—illuminating all who were there. At this, Jesus looked in and saw all who were washed in his own blood, and he exclaimed with joy, “These ones, at last, are bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh! (Gen. 2:23), and when the eyes of Jesus and Joseph met each other, tears of joy filled both their eyes. Jesus said to him, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Mt. 25:34) With this, Hades was emptied of its prize. 

For, CHRIST IS RISEN! 

Indeed, HE IS RISEN!