PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS
In 1955 the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was promulgated by Pope Pius XII to be observed on May 1. This feast was added to the Church calendar to counter the Communist May Day celebrations. In Red Square, troops paraded their latest military hardware in front of huge, stage-managed crowds to celebrate the might of their working class.
Saint Joseph was a faithful practicing Jew from the line of David and Foster father of Jesus. St Joseph was a humble carpenter who knew what it was to work hard, often for meagre pay, in order to earn a living to support his wife and foster child.
It was the Will of God that Joseph and his foster-Son should spend their days together in manual labor. By the daily labor in his shop, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God.
Jesus, too, was a carpenter who learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop. God allowed Himself to be taught carpentry skills by Saint Joseph in order to show us what sanctity can be attached to the simple and humble role of a workman
Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth “The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.” Genesis 2:15
Humanity shares in God’s image not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Sure, we don’t create from nothing, only God can do that! But whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ, the Church!
REFLECTION
SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER WITH MARY AND JESUS
When I think of this feast day of St. Joseph the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, I think of the ordinary saints among us who have not been canonized and probably never will be. My Father was such a man, a humble worker, through the depression era, providing for his wife and three children.
I had the privilege of witnessing his faith. His attendance at Mass, leading a family rosary and inviting neighbors to join us, walking to Mother of Perpetual Devotions each Tuesday… almsgiving when we didn’t have much to share, and his kneeling by the side of the bed to say his night prayers. .
Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. We were created with a vocation to work whatever it might be. Each of us have gifts. Use them for the salvation of the world.
Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment. We are the heirs of the work of those who came before us and must do the same for those who come after us.
JESUS, MARY. AND JOSEPH PRAY FOR ME
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH
O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench, cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus,
obtain for us the grace to work conscientiously with peace and patience,
without ever shrinking from weariness and frustration,
Teach us also to value lives of hidden splendor.
Saint Joseph, we implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings,
particularly the grace of a happy death, In Jesus’ name we pray@