Saint Joseph the Worker

Today’s readings

Today we have the option to celebrate the memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker. And I personally think that, whenever we have the option to celebrate Saint Joseph, we should! I think this particular memorial resonates with so many of us who work for a living; Saint Joseph is our patron. The Christian idea of work is that through the toil of work, the Christian joins her or himself to the cross of Christ, and through the effects of work, the Christian participates in the creative activity of our Creator God. This memorial puts that in the spotlight.

In today’s first reading, Saint Paul urges all disciples to do whatever they do, as if they were doing it for the Lord. This is a great spiritual principal that reminds us that our lives are not all about us, that we receive our abilities and talents from the Lord, and that we are accountable to God for all that we do, in thought, word, and deed. He reminds us, too, that our working should be cause for thanksgiving: thanksgiving that we have our abilities, and that we can use them for God’s purpose and for the support of ourselves and for the family entrusted to us.

Sometimes, it is true, work is not much of a blessing; often work seems less than redemptive. To that, Saint John Paul said in his encylcical Laborerm Exercens, “Sweat and toil, which work necessarily involves in the present condition of the human race, present the Christian and everyone who is called to follow Christ with the possibility of sharing lovingly in the work that Christ came to do. This work of salvation came about through suffering and death on a Cross. By enduring the toil of work in union with Christ crucified for us, humankind in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity. They show themselves true disciples of Christ by carrying the cross in their turn every day in the activity that they are called upon to perform.” (27)

And so we all forge ahead in our daily work, whether that be as a carpenter, a businessman or woman, a homemaker, a mother or father, a laborer, a white collar worker, a consecrated religious or ordained person, or whatever it may be. We forge ahead with the joy of bringing all the world to redemption through creation, through the cross and Resurrection of Christ, and through our daily work.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Alleluia!

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#StJosephTheWorker

Quote of the day, 1 May: St. Thérèse

Saint Joseph enters, carrying his tools.

The Blessed Virgin, with a tone of gentle reproach:

Joseph, you’ve been away a long time. Why do you work such long days?

Saint Joseph:

Mary! Let me spend my energy in the service of Jesus. It is for Him and for you that I work; this thought gives me courage and helps me to bear fatigue. And then, when I return in the evening, one caress from Jesus, a single glance from you, make me forget the day’s labors.

(He wipes the sweat from his brow, then sits down by Mary and looks at the Child Jesus. The Blessed Virgin places the Child on Saint Joseph’s knees. His face takes on an expression of celestial joy; he presses the Divine Child to his heart, kisses Him lovingly, and says:)

Little Child! How sweet Your smile is!

Is it really true that I, the poor carpenter Joseph, have the happiness of holding in my arms the King of Heaven, the Savior of humanity?

Is it true that I have the sublime mission of being the foster father to Him whose presence satisfies the ardent seraphim and who nourishes every creature?

Is it true that I am the spouse of the Mother of God, the guardian of her virginity?

O Mary! Tell me, what is this profound mystery?

The Desired of the eternal hills, the Emmanuel for whom all the patriarchs have sighed, sits on my knees and He looks at me, His poor, unworthy servant.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Pious Recreation 6, The Flight into Egypt (folio 1r–v)

of Lisieux, T 2008, The Plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “Pious Recreations”, translated from the French by Conroy S and Dwyer D J, ICS Publications, Washington, DC.

Featured image: Christ in the Carpenter’s Shop was executed by French artist Trophime Bigot between the years 1600 and 1650. This oil on canvas artwork hangs in the Cumberland bedchamber of Hampton Court Palace, which is located southwest of Central London.

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
How is God inviting me to serve Him today through hidden, ordinary work done with love?
⬦ Join the conversation in the comments.

#BlessedVirginMary #ChildJesus #fosterFather #Guardian #StJoseph #StJosephTheWorker #StThérèseOfLisieux #work

St. Joseph Novena 2025, Day 3: Workman

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 13:54–55

He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, […] “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary?”

READING
RP 6 1v

What are you saying, Mary? Must Jesus become a poor workman like me? Ah! I’ll never have the courage to see Him bear the reproaches I receive!…

NOVENA PRAYER

Remember, O most pure spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
my great protector, Saint Joseph,
that no one ever had recourse to your protection,
or implored your aid without obtaining relief.
Confiding therefore in your goodness, I come before you.
Do not turn down my petitions, foster father of the Redeemer,
but graciously receive them.

(Mention your prayer requests)

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

V./ Pray for us, holy Father St. Joseph
R./ That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

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

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

of Lisieux, T 2008, The Plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “Pious Recreations”, translated from the French by Conroy S and Dwyer D J, ICS Publications, Washington, DC.

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Edith Stein.

Let us unite in prayer

#humility #inspiration #labor #novena #PiousRecreation #prayer #StJoseph #StJosephTheWorker #StThereseOfLisieux #work

St Kuriakose Chavara advises us to work with diligence. As we honor St Joseph the Worker, Chavara's words provide valuable guidance for everyone. Check out our blog for today's quote and dive deeper into his message.
https://carmelitequotes.blog?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tweepsmap-Ahora+Comenzamos

#StJosephtheWorker #CarmeliteQuotes