Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

Excerpts from Fr. Paul's homily this morning.

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker* was proclaimed by St. Pius XII in 1955. Father believes it was the Holy Father's way of reassuring Catholic workers on a day the communist commemorated May Day.

*He assured his audience and the working people of the world: “You have beside you a shepherd, a defender and a father” in Saint Joseph, the carpenter whom God in His providence chose to be the virginal father of Jesus and the head of the Holy Family. He is silent but has excellent hearing, and his intercession is very powerful over the Heart of the Saviour.

Work should not be viewed as a punishment. Adam and Eve worked in paradise before their disobedience and ultimate expulsion. Instead, work should be viewed as a privilege. In prisons the bad prisoners are held in their cells or in isolation. The good prisoners are permitted to work.

Dear Patron of God's Church,
you are honored by her as the Worker,
the humble carpenter of Nazareth.
According to St. Teresa of Avila,
you are universal in your intercessions.

Inspire workers of all kinds
to walk ever in your footsteps as faithful servants
coupling charity with justice
and becoming true followers of Jesus.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, Catholic Book Publishing