Friends of the Rosary:

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus. He is the patron and protector of the Universal Church.

He is also invoked as the patron of the dying because Jesus and Mary were at his death-bed and the patron of fathers, among many other causes. And that’s why today is Father’s Day.

St. Joseph was an ordinary manual laborer although descended from the royal house of David. In the designs of Providence, he was destined to become the spouse of the Mother of God. He faithfully fulfilled God’s high trust in protecting and guarding the greatest earthly treasures, Jesus and Mary.

Joseph was the trustworthy witness of the Messiah’s virgin birth. After this, he modestly retires into the background of holy Scripture.

His important mission in God’s plan of salvation was “to legally insert Jesus Christ into the line of David from whom, according to the prophets, the Messiah would be born, and to act as his father and guardian”, according to the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy.

Most of our information about St. Joseph comes from the opening two chapters of St. Matthew’s Gospel. No words of his are recorded in the Gospels; he was the “silent” man.

St. Joseph was probably born in Bethlehem and probably passed away in Nazareth, probably before the beginning of Christ’s public life.

Today is the only Solemnity celebrated in the 2024 Lenten season since Easter is so early this year and the Solemnity of the Annunciation is transferred to the Second Week of Easter.

Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Joseph, Pray for Us!

To Jesus through Mary!
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!

+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

• March 19, 2024, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET