St. Joseph

Husband of Mary, Foster Father of Jesus, Patron of the Universal Church since officially named so by Pope Pius IX, "a just man", an "upright man", a "righteous man", titles and descriptions of a man who appears in the Gospels never uttering a recorded word, but by his actions displaying a trust, a faith, a love, that enabled him to find the strength to be the head of the Holy Family, the Guardian of Jesus and Mary, and a model for all of us. Every Sunday, the Melkite Rite Catholics sing a succinct summary, known as the Troparion of St. Joseph, of some of the marvelous features in his life: "O Joseph proclaim to David the ancestor of Christ our God, the great miracles you have witnessed. You have seen the Virgin with a Child, given praise with the Shepherd, adored with the wise men and the Angel of the Lord has appeared to you. Intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls."
Popular piety invokes Joseph as the Patron of a Happy Death, and somehow as a real estate agent, called upon to help in the selling of a house. Scores of people will be at the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal today to climb the stairs on their knees and attend Holy Mass in the huge basilica erected under the inspiration of St. Andre Bissette. And how many people do we know named "Joe" after this amazing man? He is certainly "not your average Joe." He is loved, venerated, and imitated by Catholics around the globe. He stands out as a worthy model for us, not only during Lent, but all throughout the year. St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus, pray for us.
Bro. Rene