The Gentle Joseph

Out of silence, deep and holy, the gentle Joseph comes; and every movement, every step, even his carriage, speaks of courage, understanding, and love. He is not old, but young and vital, tall, sparse, with hair as soft as silk and as dark as the night. His eyes are blue, reflecting a glory that is rarely seen, for it has been given to him to "father" the son of God wihout fathering, the only man whom God the Father would entrust his Son.

The bride, the church, knows him well. It is at Joseph's feet that nightly she lays her burdens, for who better than he, who cradled in his arms the flesh of God, can deal with his Mystical Body? And her children bring to him thousands of broken dreams, sorrows, and hearts that are wounded. Who better than the man who believed the impossible, the craftsman of silence and faith, can answer the prayers of children who walk in darkness alone?

Yet, notwithstanding his glory, his beauty, his light, he is still Joseph the unknown; for silent and humble, he always stands on the side, letting the Mother and Child go ahead of him, for they are his only delight.

St. Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary and patron of the bride of Christ, we need you! How timely your coming, O Joseph, foster-father of God and of us. --Lubov

A Humble Table for St. Joseph

To honor St. Joseph, this year we decorated a very humble table in his honor. Since it is baby Joseph's Name Day as well, I baked a yummy cake to celebrate! We prayed the Litany to St. Joseph, our Rosary and then enjoyed the cake! Next year I hope to do more to honor this saint who has been so faithful to our family, especially to my dh, who has had an almost perpetual novena to him for years! This past month, St. Joseph was particulary busy saving Bill's job! Two days after baby Joseph was born, Bill discovered that his group was being cut in half due to lay offs. My faithful dh, went straight for the big guns. He got out his faithful novena to St. Joseph, prayed it every night before he went to bed and our prayers were answered. He was kept on even though other senior members of the group were let go...It was a true miracle granted to my faithful dh!

And on a less serious note, just so you know, St. Joseph has a great sense of humor! How do I know? Well, about 2 1/2 years ago, I was about to give birth to baby Marie. Bill added a little prayer at the end of his novena intentions beseeching St. Joseph for a red-headed child...It was half in jest but said devoutly and with hope none the less...When Marie was delivered, I really expected a red-head baby!! Instead, Marie was born with the darkest hair of any of my children. LOL!! Bill, to be truthful, didn't seem to disappointed, once he saw his precious little baby girl! :)

St. Joseph, we love you!