PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS
On May 1, Russia, paraded troops in Red Square to show their latest military hardware in front of huge, stage-managed crowds to celebrate the might of their working class.
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.
Saint Joseph is a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David and Foster father of Jesus. St Joseph is 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 Jesus 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. He became a role model for laborers. The liturgy for this feast not only celebrates the dignity of work but the right to work.
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 before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. 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
By work, human-kind 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 is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. 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. .
REFLECTION.
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. (Genesis 2:15) Work is a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment.
How do I view work?
St. Joseph. Jesus’ earthly father, served as a model of manhood, demonstrating work ethic, faith, and love for God and family. Jesus learned what it was to be a human being from St. Joseph.
Do I have a mentor?
St. Joseph shows us the importance of sharing skills with others, as he did when Jesus served as his apprentice. In these hard times we ask for St. Joseph’s intercession to find good, productive work for all those who are searching.
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,
PATRON SAINT OF HAPPY DEATH