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St. Joseph, A Model for Fatherhood
Today is Father’s Day, a day set aside to honor the fathers in our lives. Yet, in our society today, Fatherhood is no longer valued. Men, as husbands and fathers of families, seem to be under attack. Many children grow up without a father or father-figure in their homes, often due to broken marriages, dysfunctional families, and the breakdown of the institution of marriage. Rampant abortion makes it possible to prevent children from coming into this world. With the rising trend of transgenderism, some men are turning away from the opportunity to father and raise children.
At a time when we need strong role models for fathers, we can look to St. Joseph through the Litany of St. Joseph.
St. Joseph, Husband of the Mother of God and Guardian of the Virgin: Just as St. Joseph was entirely committed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, true fatherhood begins with a lifetime commitment of the husband to his wife. St. Joseph provided for the Blessed Mother, protected her in the midst of danger, and loved her selflessly.
St. Joseph, Head of the Holy Family and Foster Father of the Son of God: In his role as the head of the family, and through his own obedience to God, St. Joseph taught the child Jesus to be obedient to His parents (Lk 2:51). Through the ordinariness of family life, St. Joseph helped Jesus advance in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. (Lk 2:52).
St. Joseph, Model of Workers: From St. Joseph, Jesus learned the value, dignity, and joy of work…so important and sadly often lacking in our society today.
Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., in his article “The Role and Responsibility of Fatherhood - St. Joseph as Model,” says that “fathers should reflect, in their families, the seven virtues which the Church specially honors in St. Joseph’s relationship to Jesus and Mary. Like Joseph, fathers should be:
·most just, without partiality or human respect.
·most chaste, according to their married state of life.
·most prudent, in knowing God’s will through constant prayer.
·most valiant in courageously accepting the cross every moment of the day.
·most obedient in seeing every event as part of divine Providence and responding with, “Here I am Lord. I am ready to do Your will.”
·most faithful in loving their wives with perfect fidelity, and their children with tireless generosity.
·the strength of the home by their exercise of manly courage. They are to protect their wives and children from the plots of the modern Herods who are inspired by the evil spirit to destroy the Christian family in the modern world.”
Whether men are biological or spiritual fathers, St. Joseph has much to teach us all. On this Father’s Day, let us call upon St. Joseph and ask for his powerful intercession.
Let us pray:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
Amen
~St. Luke Life, Justice and Peace Ministry
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