1.) St. Joseph is a Just Man.
St. Joseph is first mentioned in Matthew 1:19 where he is described as a “just man” because of the way that he handled Mary’s miraculous pregnancy. St. John Chrysostom comments on his virtue stating: “Joseph determined to conduct himself now by a higher rule than the law.”
2.) Actually, St. Joseph Has Many More Titles.
St. Joseph is named in the Litany of St. Joseph as the Zealous Defender of Christ, Model of Workmen, Protector of the Holy Church, and the Terror of Demons. He is also called the Foster-Father of the Redeemer and Most Chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In Fr. Donald Calloway’s book, Consecration to St. Joseph, he states that the Catholic Church today is in need of the intercession and patronage of St. Joseph. Marriage and Family are under attack in both secular and religious contexts. Our Lady of Fatima revealed to sister Lucia that “The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and the family.”
As Head of the Holy Family, Terror of Demons, and Pillar of Families, the spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph can help us, as the living Church, to understand and overcome Satan’s deceptions.
3.) Devotion to St. Joseph Took A Long Time to Develop.
It was not until the 15th century that veneration of St. Joseph began in the West and his feast day was introduced into the Roman calendar in 1479. Devotion to the earthly Foster-Father of Christ was popularized by Saints Teresa of Avila and Francis DeSales.
4.) St. Joseph is Patron of the Universal Church
In 1870, Pope Pius IX named him “Patron of the Universal Church.” In his papal encyclical Quanquam pluries in 1889, Pope Leo XIII granted him saintly status equivalent to that of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Under the patronage of St. Joseph, the Universal Church is in need of re-evangelization. St. Joseph was the first to bring Jesus to the world and so desires to bring him to the world again today. St. John Paul II wrote concerning this need:
“This patronage [of St. Joseph] must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization in those those lands and nations where religion and the Christian life were formally flourishing and are now put to a hard test.”
5.) St. Joseph Has Two Feast Days.
St. Joseph’s feast days are May 1 and March 19. He is venerated with special festivals in Italy, with traditions including eating fava beans, zappola, lemons, and seafood to commemorate certain aspects of St. Joseph’s life.
The Station of the Cross Radio and Our 2021 Fall On-Air Appeal: St. Joseph, Pray For Us!
The Station of the Cross Radio Network wishes to further the Catholic mission of evangelization under the patronage of St. Joseph, the original missionary. Through our Radio and Media apostolate, The Station of the Cross aims to spread the message of the Gospel in charitable, just, and truthful means to bring every person who listens closer to Christ.
In order to support this important spiritual work, The Station of the Cross placed their 2021 Fall Appeal under the patronage of St. Joseph.
This year, we ask that our listeners, benefactors, and supporters continue to support our mission of proclaiming the fullness of Truth with clarity and charity. If you would like to help this mission, there are several ways to make a donation.
To make a donation, CLICK HERE or:
- Call 1-877-711-8500
- Visit thestationofthecross.com
- Use the donation page of your iCatholicRadio app
- Return the envelope from our mailing
Be sure to listen in to our On-Air Appeal, Monday, September 27th through Friday, October 1st, from 7 AM to 7 PM.
The Station of the Cross wishes to thank you in advance for your charity and generosity. May God Bless you and your families.
Ite Ad Ioseph!
Go to Joseph!
