Ite Ad Joseph- Go To Joseph

Some of you may not know this, but I love St. Joseph. Not only is he my confirmation saint, and my patron, but he has truly been a friend, a father figure, and an icon of holiness for me. So while my time might be more practically spent working on applications, or editing my midterm paper, I'm going to spend a little bit of time giving him his due praise on this, the morning of his feast day, March 19th, 2015.

St. Joseph of course, is the Human Father of Christ, and the Husband and Guardian of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In his earthly life, he helped to guide the Holy Family to Egypt and back to avoid danger from Herod, and most likely instructed Jesus, who is the Christ, in his trade of carpentry, and in the ways of his Jewish people. Since his passing (sometime in Jesus' life between the ages of 13 and 30), he has acquired 7 illustrious titles, each of which is accompanied with a short prayer to this model of masculinity (which can be found here). St. Joseph is Protector of the Church and Guardian of the Pure in Heart because of his role in guarding Jesus and Mary from the dangers of the world. Before there was St. Peter and the Twelve, and even before John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, St. Joseph served the LORD by guarding Him and His Mother. He is the Mainstay of Families,

because when fear and doubt told him to leave Our Blessed Mother, he trusted in God and stayed loyal and obedient to his betrothed. He is the Model of Labourers, for his craftsmanship in carpentry. The fact that Joseph worked with his hands, and often did more than he spoke, speaks volumes about the character of this holy man. He is Our Solace in Suffering, because he too knew what it meant to be poor, hungry, an immigrant, and an outcast. He is the Hope of the Sick and the Patron Saint of the Dying, because it is through his dying that Jesus first tastes the bitterness of death. Losing his dearly beloved father, Jesus' bitter tears would foreshadow His Cross- which would heal our ills and conquer death.

The final title is my personal favorite (mostly because it sounds totally epic): St. Joseph, Terror of Demons. To some, who don't believe in demons, this title may seem medieval and crude. But, as I've struggled in various matters of faith, this title has offered me a significant amount of solace. Perhaps this prayer- offered by St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Quebec- will further explain why:

Courageous Joseph, advised by an angel,

you confront your fears of the unknown.

Your light shines brightly, penetrating the

dark corners of your being. Your fears dispersed,

you rediscover your true face, and actively

participate in the divine project reuniting

mother and Child, and the people with their God.

Together with Mary and Jesus, you dwell in the love

of God.

Help us to rediscover the united core of our identities,

beyond all internal fears.

Counsel us so we may build a better world to welcome

the coming Kingdom.

Shed your light on our inner lives that, freed from the

grip of our fears, our decisions may be founded in Love.

May the face of God shine on us!

Amen.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we are told of how Joseph, confused by Mary's pregnancy decided that it would be best to divorce her. What is interesting here, is that he wanted to do so quietly. It is explained that this seemed like the logical route since he "was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace". It seemed easier, safer, to act silently, and in the dark. However, when the Angel appears, and sheds light on the subject of Mary's pregnancy- the right course of action becomes clear to Joseph. The Gospel writer says "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had commanded him and took Mary as his wife."

Notice that the beginning of the verse, gives the time in which what follows was to take place. Joseph, without hesitation or delay, does what is required of him and fulfills his duty until his death. Something I've always considered is the amount of faith St. Joseph had in the angel of the LORD to serve as faithfully as he did. Think about it- he married a pregnant woman, never had "relations" with her, moved to Egypt and back, and eventually passed before seeing his son begin his ministry. All based on a series of dreams. This is particularly striking to me, as a young 20-something, who is seemingly perpetually discerning my next step- now more than ever. Making life changing decisions in short periods of time is never easy, but St. Joseph offers guidance, companionship, and solidarity- since he more than anyone knows the movements of the Holy Spirit, and how briskly they may blow. Indeed, within one night his life changed forever, and he had not only the faith, but the courage, to live not in fear, but in love.

St. Joseph our Father, our Brother, and our Friend, we flee to you in our time of need. Guide us through the dark and shed light on our paths, so that each footstep we make might be illumined by the light of Christ. Pray for us, with Mary, through Christ, that we may be made worthy of God's eternal promises. Amen.

God Bless,

Samuel Oliver Joseph Carlson