Saint Joseph’s Day, March 19th, is a major celebration for the Catholic Church and for the Sisters of Saint Joseph. This year, at the Motherhouse, the celebration began with a morning in-service given by Sister Dolores Clerico SSJ, Director of the Ministry of Spirituality.

Dolores began by speaking of saints in general. “People of faith, especially in the Catholic tradition, have always looked to identify individuals who lived discipleship well…not perfectly nor easily, but well enough for us to take notice and learn from them. When looking at the saints, we hope to notice how they related to God and lived their lives in God’s ways. We can then reflect on their life and discover if it has anything to say to us as we live our own lives.”  

Dolores then spoke of Joseph in the historical and social context of first century Galilee, giving us a clear and realistic picture of who, we can imagine, he was. Among the many interesting facts she shared, are the following:

Speaking of the major role Joseph had in Jesus’ life, Dolores continued, “No doubt Jesus learned by watching Joseph live the rhythms and deal with the dilemmas of ordinary life. He saw him interact with Mary and others in their village. Jesus watched as Joseph collaborated with co-workers and negotiated jobs, prices, bartered, etc. Through this, Jesus learned to take his place in family and society, much as children do today ­–– by watching their parents.”  

Dolores concluded by speaking of what we learn of Joseph in the Scriptures. “For Mary and Joseph their early days as a new family would be filled with fear. Eventually they would flee to yet another land, leaving behind loved ones, homes, jobs –– hoping for survival. Finally, this young family settles down in a small town where they live ordinary lives with one another, their kinsfolk and with the people of their town. And through it all, Joseph is husband, father, neighbor and worker and, as the Gospels say: a just man. Joseph simply faces life as it comes –– living ordinary life –– extraordinarily well.”

View the Presentation: Click here

Later in the afternoon, sisters, associates and friends gathered in the Chapel at the Motherhouse to celebrate liturgy. With great gratitude and joy, Sister Anne Myers SSJ, Congregational President, welcomed everyone, “In this extraordinary year of mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis, we are conscious that Saint Joseph was a man of mercy and compassion, caring deeply for Jesus and Mary. As we live our mission of unity, may we do so with the mercy and compassion of Joseph. During this liturgy, as Sisters of Saint Joseph we will recommit ourselves to our God through the renewal of our vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. We will be blessed by the witness of our Associates who will renew their promises to live our mission of unity, within the context of their daily lives.”  

In her reflection, Sister Teresa Shaw SSJ shared, ‘’In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, when Pope Francis inspires us to be the mercy that our God shares with us, may we, Sisters, Associates, partners in mission and friends, be inspired by Joseph who lived love and mercy in his relationship with Mary and Jesus. Let us go forth. Let us renew our desire to embrace the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy and let us pray to be open to God’s desire in our lives and in our world.  

We are reminded in Maxim 73 to ‘Have only one desire: to be what God wants you to be.’ And so, as daughters and sons of Joseph, we continue on this journey, sustained by God’s grace. We endeavor to be faithful as we live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another.”    

View Glorious Father, Dear Saint Joseph being sung at the Liturgy. Click here.