I like to think that if St. Joseph were a modern-day celebrity, his catch phrase would be, “Words are Cheap.” The foster-father of Jesus has no recorded words in the Gospels and that’s not a coincidence. I believe God was using St. Joseph to teach us a valuable lesson. The age old, “actions speak larger than words” message. The words of St. Joseph don’t matter because his actions tell us everything we need to know. God entrusted St. Joseph to keep Mary and young Jesus safe.
Have you ever wondered how the physical delivery of Jesus took place in Bethlehem? No? Just me? Okay. Were any midwives present with Mary in the stable? Did the innkeeper bring hot water and towels? It did not become customary for fathers to be present in U.S. birthing rooms until the 1960’s, but what if St. Joseph was the first modern husband holding Mary’s hand, helping her push, and assisting in the delivery? Obviously, we have no proof of this, but I think it seems plausible enough.
Today is March 19th, the feast day of St. Joseph as Husband of Mary. (May 1st is the feast day for Joseph the Worker). Your church may have had a special sweets table after mass with patrons wearing red. That is because the celebration of St. Joseph’s Day began in Sicily, where St. Joseph is believed to have saved the people from famine. So, tradition began that the faithful wear red and celebrate with a feast. I have heard that Sicily still celebrates with parades and entertainment for St. Joseph. (Husband, I think we ought to partake in an Italian pilgrimage in honor of your namesake- wink, wink).
St. Joseph is invoked for aid in selling houses. So much in fact, Rocket Homes wrote about it in their blog. If you weren’t aware, home sellers often bury a St. Joseph statue upside near their ‘For Sale’ sign in their yard. Why upside down? To incentivize the saint for quick assistance so that he can be turned right side up.
The years between the Nativity and Jesus’ teaching are called ‘The Hidden Years’ and other than the ‘Finding in the Temple’ story, we don’t know much about the Holy Family during this time. But if we use our imagination, it is easy to picture Jesus having the most wonderful childhood. I bet St. Joseph was a great dad. Calm, patient, strong and steady. Probably whittling wooden toys for him as a child and then teaching him carpentry as he grew older. Could there be more loving parents than Joseph and Mary?
Have I piqued your interest in St. Joseph? Do you want to know more about this great saint but are saddened by the lack of information we have about him? Perhaps, his catch phrase ought to be, ‘Always leave them wanting more.’