March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph, therefore, these 12 ideas will help you keep him in mind during his party and the rest of the month.
Did you know that in the Catholic Church, each of the 12 months of the year has a devotional theme? For Catholics, March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph, patron saint of workers, families, homes and a happy death.
It’s interesting to think about it this way: February is dedicated to the Holy Family, followed by March dedicated to Saint Joseph, who is the head of that family.
In the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas:
«Some saints have the privilege of extending their patronage to us with particular effectiveness in certain needs, but not in others;but our patron saint, Saint Joseph, has the power to help us in every case, in every need, in every undertaking.
Here are 12 ways you can connect your family with Saint Joseph to celebrate his feast day:
1 PRAY TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR YOUR INTENTIONS
With this prayer that “has never been known to fail.” In addition to being beautiful, it is a great resource for the family.
2 HONOR YOUR FATHER(S)
Although in Mexico Father’s Day is celebrated in June, in Italy and Spain it is on Saint Joseph’s Day. In fact, what better day to do something good for the Saint Josephs in our lives?
Any older man who has guided you in life, deepened your faith or helped you, whether a biological father, adoptive father, godfather, grandfather, father-in-law, spiritual father, dear uncle or good priest… Joseph’s Day is a perfect day! to honor them!
Send them a card showing your gratitude, call them, invite them to dinner, offer a Mass for them!
3 DECIDE TO WORK BETTER THIS MONTH
This month, work in a way worthy of the patron saint of work. Offer your work with love and gratitude. And remember that keeping Saturday holy and abstaining from work on Sunday also honors Saint Joseph!
4 PUT A PICTURE OF SAINT JOSEPH ON YOUR TABLE
Place a beautiful image of your own family next to it, as a way to seek blessing and intercession for your family from Saint Joseph, pillar of families.
Philippe Lissac | GODONG
5 MAKE WEDNESDAY A SPECIAL DAY
In Catholic tradition, Wednesday is the day of the week dedicated to Saint Joseph. Wednesday can be considered a central axis of the week; On each side is a grouping of days, grouped like an outstretched arm at each end. A perfect day to honor Saint Joseph, whose arms were outstretched in life to comfort and protect Jesus and Mary.
Make your Wednesdays in March more special by going to mass or asking Saint Joseph to intercede for your intentions. What better month to begin the tradition of the Nine First Wednesdays in honor of Saint Joseph?
6 MAKE AN ALTAR ON SAINT JOSEPH’S DAY
Maybe you are lucky enough to live in a place where the day is a holiday, and you have your own traditions. But if not, we propose one. This is an Italian tradition that anyone can practice
The St. Joseph altar is a meaningful tradition that children will enjoy helping with. You can make a three-tier altar: one for each person of the Trinity or for each member of the Holy Family. Place a statue or image of Saint Joseph on the upper level, then place traditional foods to share that day and candles.
The tradition is said to come from a famine in Sicily, when the peasants invoked the help of Saint Joseph and were freed from hunger.
Meals made with fava beans are traditionally served on St. Joseph’s Day, as it is believed that it was a harvest of fava beans that saved people from hunger. Traditionally, meat is not served to observe Lent .
7
DECORATE YOUR HOUSE WITH FLOWERS
On the altar or anywhere in your home, place a St. Joseph Lily or something similar, such as Easter lilies or a peace flower .
8
INCLUDE SAN JOSE IN THE DECORATION OF YOUR HOUSE
Buy a statue of Saint Joseph for your garden or frame a work of religious art, like this one by Murillo.
Put a painting of the St. Joseph lily somewhere in your house. Or simply print a black and white image of Saint Joseph, color it with colored pencils, and then frame it. It might be a great idea for kids to do it.
9
READ A BOOK ABOUT SAINT JOSEPH
Unfortunately, there are not many books dedicated to him. But we recommend The Silences of Saint Joseph , by Michel Gasnier.
10
BE GENEROUS TO OTHER FAMILIES
Since Saint Joseph is the patron saint of families, find ways to help families in need through local (or national) Catholic organizations, such as food banks.
ELEVEN
PRAY FOR THE SICK AND DYING
Since Saint Joseph is the “comfort to the afflicted, the hope of the sick, and the patron of the dying,” add those people to your daily prayers this month.
It may interest you:Make this prayer to Saint Joseph to ask for a holy death
12
AT THE END OF THE DAY, GIVE YOUR CONCERNS TO SAINT JOSEPH AND SLEEP
Saint Joseph, the “Terror of Demons,” is said to even scare demons while he sleeps; such is the power and strength of it.
Ask Saint Joseph, who communicates with God even in his dreams, to pray for your intentions and take your worries away so you can get some rest! You can even do as Pope Francis advises and place a note with his special intentions under a statue of the sleeping Saint Joseph.
