St. Joseph- the custos, the protector

Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is one of the two Solemnities that fall during Lent season. Solemnity is the highest ranking feast in the Liturgical calendar of the church, which means, it should be treated as another Sunday. Today, the purple vestment as a sign of penance give way to the white vestment that symbolised joy and purity of soul. The Gloria has been silent during this season of Lent is sung during mass.

Saint Joseph, foster-father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is an example of a life so hidden and yet so pleasing to God.  Scriptures did not record for us a word he uttered.  But what the Gospels show is that Joseph was a doer of God’s Will.  He was always on the go, always on the move to do God’s bidding- waking up from the dream to journey to Bethlehem for the census, fleeing to Egypt with Mary and the Infant Jesus to escape Herod and his murderous band, journeying back to Nazareth at God’s command after Herod had died. 

Too often we forget that an angel also appeared to St. Joseph, to prepare him for the significant role He would play in God's saving plan for the whole human race. He was invited to exercise his human freedom, to give his assent to the Lord's invitation - and he did. The mission which God entrusts to St. Joseph to be the custos, the protector. The protector of whom? Of Mary and Jesus. Today, this protection is also then extended to the Church. St. Pope John Paul II once said :"just as Saint Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ’s upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model” 

St. Thomas Aquinas has this to said about St. Joseph, "some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking." Our recent Pope, Pope Francis also added the name of St. Joseph in the Eucharistic prayer. "...that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse..."

Today, the Church encourages us to be devoted to St. Joseph because he was a model in the heroic practice of all the virtues. The example of virtuous living that he gave in the exact fulfillment of the duties of his state of life is worthy of our reflection. He was prudent in caring for his wife and the child; he showed great leadership in protecting them and assisting them. He was religious in every sense, with that delicacy and sincerity of conscience that is proper to the saints of God. Let us ask St. Joseph to intercede for us to accept our unique and special vocation that God has planned for us. St. Joseph, Foster-Father of Our Lord, pray for us!