​Resurrection  of  the  Lord  Parish

​​​ Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary   

Diocesan Publication 

Joseph, someone once joked, was indeed the perfect husband: the only major character in Jesus’ story who never utters a word! But the Gospel recounts and the liturgy celebrates his silent witness of faith-filled deeds: “With a husband’s love he cherished Mary, the Virgin Mother of God; with fatherly care he watched over Jesus” (Preface of Saint Joseph, Sacramentary). Catholic devotion, therefore, hails him as patron-protector of the universal Church. Some cultures set a festive “Saint Joseph’s Table,” welcoming the poor and strangers to feast with family and friends. Tradition keeps today as the anniversary of his death, which we presume was peaceful, with Jesus and Mary present. Thus, Catholics invoke Joseph as “patron of a happy death.” Descended from David’s house, which God finished “building” through Joseph’s provision of a home for Mary and Jesus, he was, fittingly, a carpenter by trade; thus, patron of workers. Spring, nature’s rebirth, begins between his feast and Annunciation (March 25), appropriately, since Joseph’s silent obedience and Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) usher in humanity’s spiritu al rebirth.

—Peter Scagnelli ​

​