- April 12, 2021
By Sister Ida Berresheim
A few months ago, Pope Francis wrote Patris Corde, commemorating the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being named Patron of the Universal Church, calling all throughout the world to celebrate St. Joseph in a special way during 2021. In speaking of that great man, so quiet in the scriptures, the letter called him, “a father who teaches the value, dignity and joy of work.”
Pope Francis showed particular courage in calling attention to St. Joseph at this historic time when many hundreds of thousands throughout our world have experienced the disappearance of their jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only interrupted their lives and diminished their earnings, but for far too many, it has erased their savings completely.
Whether employed or, tragically, with no hope of employment in sight, many have long appealed in faith to St. Joseph the Worker. As they search for gainful employment, they also turn to him for help, continuing in prayer for his powerful help. Throughout their lives, the words “Go to Joseph” have become a command they continue to make their appeal during these hard economic times.
Long honored as St. Joseph the Worker, the foster-father of Jesus is called a carpenter, even though scripture doesn’t reveal much about him. We do not know exactly what type of work he did in his day and in his part of the world. We cannot be sure if St. Joseph the Worker made furniture or if he was a construction worker, a repairman, a creator of needed wooden objects, a maker of new environments or an artistic wood worker. Perhaps that is one of this silent man’s gifts to us as we continue to go to him. He is the patron saint of those who support the needs of their family by working with their hands.
What we know is that St. Joseph bravely met the challenges that confronted him. Among these harsh realities was the long, necessary trip with a pregnant wife in order to register for a census. Finding no room for the birth of their son, they ended up in an animal shelter, a stable. We also learn from scripture that Joseph and his family fled into Egypt and later had to take the long journey home. We know that Joseph also suffered the loss of his son in the temple.
How difficult to know something of the desperation that was his. What we also know is that today, great numbers who are working to make a living keep struggling to support their families as he did.
During this special year, we trust in dear St. Joseph. May his intercession be a source of hope in our needy world.