Thursday, March 19, 2009

St. Joseph's Sublime Dignity

Today is the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It is certain that the dignity of the Mother of God is so exalted that nothing could be more sublime; yet because Mary was united to Joseph by the bond of marriage, there can be no doubt but that Joseph approached as no other person ever could that eminent dignity whereby the Mother of God towers above all creatures. Since marriage is the highest degree of association and friendship, involving by its very nature a communion of goods, it follows that God, by giving Joseph to the Virgin, did not give him to her only as a companion for life, a witness of her virginity and protector of her honor: he also gave Joseph to Mary in order that he might share, through the marriage pact, in her own sublime greatness.


Pope John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos,
quoting Pope Leo XIII in Quamquam pluries.

The Catholic Church makes a pretty big deal out of St. Joseph, even though very little is written of him in scripture. God entrusted to him the care of his own Son. St. Joseph continues that role as patron of the whole Church. The Popes have asserted that St. Joseph approaches in a way that no other saint can, the unique role that Mary played and continues to play.

Father,
you entrusted our Savior to the care of Saint Joseph.
By the help of his prayers
may your Church continue to serve it Lord, Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

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