Happy “May Day” to you all. In 1955 to foster a deep devotion to St. Joseph among Catholics, and as a response to the May Day celebration for workers sponsored by the Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.
This feast day extends the long relationship between St. Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. For us, St. Joseph, who was a carpenter and the foster father of Jesus, is a shining example of the holiness of human labor.
Jesus too was a carpenter. He learned the trade from his father and spent his early adult years working side-by-side with Joseph in his carpentry shop. Pope John Paul II stated: “ the church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and right of those who work and to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated.”
Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. In 1870 Pope Pius IX declared that he was the patron of the universal church. Pope Francis declared 2021 to be the year of St. Joseph. He who was given the task of caring for and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now has the task of caring for and watching over the entire Church. That includes in a very personal way – YOU !
St. Joseph, pray for us !
DeColores, Deacon Doug
