Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary! Patron of BLACKCATHOLIC

Especially, in the Year of St. Joseph!

St. Joseph is both my personal Patron when I was confirmed into the Church and one of the Patrons of my BLACKCATHOLIC apostolate!

He is also a Patron of my home diocese of Nashville.

“Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.”

Collect (Opening prayer) for the Mass of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

A good word from today’s second reading in today’s Office of Reading in the Liturgy of the Hours for this Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. It is from a sermon by St. Bernadine of Siena.

“There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.

What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honorably introduced into the world. Holy Church in its entirety is indebted to the Virgin Mother because through her it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph.”

St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, pray for us!

Image: Borrowed from a friend on Facebook.