• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Statues of Mary, the child Jesus and St. Joseph are seen at St. Mary Josefa Parish in Rome Feb. 19, 2017. In a Dec. 8 apostolic letter, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Archbishop Lori reflects on the Year of St. Joseph

February 26, 2021
By Archbishop William E. Lori
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary, Feature, Year of St. Joseph

On the morning of Dec. 8, 2020, I awoke to learn that Pope Francis dedicated the year ahead to St. Joseph, the man whom God the Father chose as the guardian of his Incarnate Son, and the spouse of his Mother Mary.

This news delighted me because so often we overlook St. Joseph and the example he set for us: as a man of faith and integrity; as a model of fatherhood and family life; as a guardian of the household at Nazareth and the household of the Church. In fact, Pope Francis reminds us that 150 years ago, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. What can we learn from St. Joseph’s virtues?

First, St. Joseph was a man of faith and integrity. Sometimes we forget how difficult St. Joseph’s unique vocation really was. He was betrothed to Mary, but she was found already to be with child. Normally, that would have been the end of the engagement and a woman in that situation would be exposed to shame.

In the strength of his compassion, St. Joseph was unwilling for that to happen. But what should he do? In a dream, the Lord announced to Joseph that he should have no fear of taking Mary as his wife, for her Child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was to be the long-awaited Messiah. When Joseph awoke, he did as the Lord had asked. His deep faith led him to obey the Lord and to fulfill his special vocation with honor.

Here was a servant upon whom God could rely to fulfill his purposes. Thus, St. Joseph teaches us to put faith at the center of our lives and to live our vocations with a godly integrity.

Second, St. Joseph was the husband of Mary and the guardian of Jesus. As we recall the story of Jesus’ birth, let us take note of the pivotal role St. Joseph played. Scripture does not record his words, but it does convey the strength of his tender love for Mary and his fatherly care for the Child of her womb. When the innkeeper told Joseph that he had no room, Joseph provided for his family as best

he could. Imagine how he had to improvise to prepare a crude stable for the birth of a child, indeed, the Child Jesus.

Imagine Joseph’s role in protecting his family, not only against the elements, but also against the machinations of Herod who sought to kill his Child. What must have gone through Joseph’s mind, when, at the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon foretold that Jesus would be “a sign of contradiction” and that Mary’s heart would be pierced with “a sword of sorrow”?

Returning to Nazareth, Joseph provided for his family by working as a carpenter and shared his daily work with Jesus. In all these things and much more, Joseph remained strong and true as Mary’s spouse and as Jesus’ guardian.

Thus, St. Joseph teaches us the central importance of the vocation of marriage and family, a vocation that demands hard work and sacrificial love.

Finally, just as St. Joseph watched over the household in Nazareth, so too he watches over the Church Universal. At a time when the Church is losing members and is beset by divisions and scandals, we need St. Joseph’s prayers more than ever.

St. Joseph’s example and intercession should encourage each of us to do our part in building up the household of the Church by a spirit of prayer, by a willing spirit of service, and by our witness to Christ.

St. Joseph, Husband of the Mother of God and Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!

For more information about the Year of St. Joseph in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, click here.

Also see

Man of Action: Matt Birk boldly embraces pro-life cause

Knights of Columbus inspire devotion to St. Joseph with new film

Pope closes Year of St. Joseph with marginalized young adults

Year of St. Joseph wraps up with lasting impact in Archdiocese of Baltimore

The lonely can find an ‘ally’ in St. Joseph, pope says at audience

On the road with Joseph in the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Copyright © 2021 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Archbishop William E. Lori

Archbishop William E. Lori was installed as the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore May 16, 2012.

Prior to his appointment to Baltimore, Archbishop Lori served as Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., from 2001 to 2012 and as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington from 1995 to 2001.

A native of Louisville, Ky., Archbishop Lori holds a bachelor's degree from the Seminary of St. Pius X in Erlanger, Ky., a master's degree from Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg and a doctorate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1977.

In addition to his responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archbishop Lori serves as Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and is the former chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty.

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

An invitation from God

‘Annunciation’: Salvation and the words of the air

Fully entering into the Triduum

Question Corner: Jesus became man so I could become God?

The mental health crisis crosses all boundaries and ages

| Recent Local News |

Catholic Charities’ William J. McCarthy Jr. named Loyola’s Business Leader of the Year

Sister Joan Cooper, O.S.F., dies at 94

Pathfinders: Five Archdiocese of Baltimore women who made history

Sister Elizabeth Ellen Kane, O.S.F., dies at 81

RADIO INTERVIEW: Dining with the Saints

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • A ‘nation of immigrants’ should identify with migrants’ plight and human dignity, says Boston cardinal
  • An invitation from God
  • Vatican envoy warns UN General Assembly racism mutating and ‘reemerging’ globally
  • ‘We all need to do more’: House hearing demands action over Nicaragua regime’s anti-Catholic persecution
  • Notre Dame Cathedral reopening date announced as reconstruction on its famous spire wraps up in eastern France
  • AI and the meaning of life: Tech industry turns to religious leaders
  • Movie Review: ‘John Wick: Chapter 4, a festival of fatality’
  • Pope calls European bishops to be prophetic voices for peace
  • En la frontera de México y EE.UU., defensores de migrantes que buscan asilo hacen un llamado a la acción

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED