Today 19 March, we celebrate the Feast of St Joseph. This feast was first observed in the 15th century and, in 1621, Pope Gregory XV extended it to be observed by the whole Church. The Church also dedicates the entire month of March to St Joseph.
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| St Joseph's Statue in St Patrick's Church |
This great saint is patron of many things and of many countries, including Canada. He was chosen as Patron Saint of Canada by the first Recollect Franciscan Missionaries in 1624! Pope Urban VIII confirmed St Joseph as Canada's Patron in 1637. On 8th December 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St Joseph "Patron of the Universal Church".
Cardinal Herbert Vaughan founded St Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill. As Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, when speaking of St Joseph, Spouse of Mary and Foster Father of Jesus, Cardinal Vaughan wrote: "Of old it was said to the needy and suffering people in the kingdom of Egypt: 'Go to Joseph, and do all that he shall say to you.' (Gen. 41:55). The same is now said by the Sovereign Pontiff to all needy and suffering people in the kingdom of the Church: Go to Joseph. What was truly said of the first Joseph .......... is verified much more perfectly, even to this day, in the second Joseph."
At this time, as the deadly Coronavirus sweeps the world, we would do very well to turn to St Joseph and sincerely and humbly seek his help for ourselves, our loved ones, and for the whole of suffering humanity.
ST JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US.
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