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GO TO JOSEPH!

Saint Joseph is one of the patrons of the Basilians, and the Mission Center in Sugar Land is named in his honor. One of the greatest saints of the Church, he is celebrated with two feasts – March 19 and, as St. Joseph the Worker, on May 1.

A descendent of the house of David and a “just man,” Joseph is known for his loving care of Mary and the Holy Child Jesus. He is the patron of the Universal Church, protector of workers, and patron of social justice.

There is a paradox about St. Joseph. Though he was singularly chosen, because of his hidden life and humble occupation we think of him as being very common and ordinary. He is the highest of saints, yet always approachable.

What St. Joseph once did for Jesus and Mary, he now does for the Church. St. Joseph stands ready to provide for all who call on him. Poor on earth, he is rich in heaven, and stands ready to help all who request his intercession.

Many popular customs connected to the devotion to St. Joseph are known worldwide.

ST. JOSEPH, REALTOR

An old, if bizarre, custom regarding St. Joseph is still popular today in the United States. It involves burying a statue of St. Joseph in order to sell a piece of property. Perhaps St. Joseph’s role in selling real estate arose from his being patron saint of carpenters, but the exact origin of this custom is clouded in history. Although the custom seems to border on superstition, many persons with true devotion to the saint have acted in good faith to request his aid. St. Brother André of Montreal appealed to St. Joseph in the matter of property over and over. Herbert Cardinal Vaughn, was trying to purchase property to begin his new religious community, the Millhill Josephites. The owner of the desired property refused, so the cardinal asked the owner to keep a package for him and put it in a closet under the staircase. The owner complied with the request, little knowing the package contained a statue of St. Joseph. Soon after, the owner changed his mind and sold the property to the Cardinal. Dorothy Day is another who had a great devotion to St. Joseph and who asked his help in obtaining property. She buried a medal of the saint on the land she wished to acquire. Although these are concrete instances of persons who used a sacramental of the saint in order to acquire property, the origin of the use of a sacramental to sell property is unknown.

ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH

Blessed Louis Guanella, founder of the Servants of Charity, and Pope St. Pius X had a deep love for Joseph and preached his care for the dying.

The National Shrine of St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying, is in Grass Lakes, Michigan.

ST. JOSEPH’S ALTAR

The St. Joseph altar originated in a region of Sicily centuries ago during a period of drought and famine. The people turned to St. Joseph, asking his help and intercession. Rains came and their crops prospered. In thanksgiving, the community brought their prized food as an offering to their patron. A festive dinner was held and all were invited, especially the poor. Today, where there are groups of Italian Americans, many parishes or groups host a St. Joseph’s altar to honor the saint and provide for the poor. Many beautiful loaves of bread are placed on the altar. Some of this bread is blessed in the name of the saint and saved as a sacramental. The saint is invoked in cases of danger from storms, and some people keep pieces of it in their cars to protect against harm from collisions.

GO TO JOSEPH!

The words of the Egyptian Pharaoh, “Go to Joseph” (Gen. 41, 55), have been applied to St. Joseph universally. Filled with affection, love, and confidence, the faithful turn to him in all their temporal and spiritual needs.


If you would like to have this beautiful prayer card (shown below) with a laminated piece of blessed St. Joseph’s bread to keep as a blessed sacramental, just write to Father Jack. He’ll be happy to send one at no charge.