Solemnity of St. Joseph

St. Joseph with the Infant Jesus, by Guido Reni, ca. 1635.

Today, 19 March, is the Feast of the foster father of our Divine Lord, and patron of the Universal Church: St. Joseph!

On this Feast of St. Joseph, let us recall this great saint who example is one of silent witness.  He is the one that the Gospels call "a just man" who protected and provided for the Holy Family.  Indeed, Scripture notes that Our Divine Lord "was subject to them," referring to Mary and Joseph.  Of what a family was St. Joseph the head!

St. Joseph is a splendid example of manhood, of willingness to do the Will of God, and, considering who was, by tradition, there in his last moments, a patron of a happy death.

You might note this encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII on devotion to St. Joseph:
Encyclical Letter of Leo XIII on St. Joseph

This year, too, being declared the "Year of St. Joseph" by Pope Francis, you should note the indulgence opportunities available:
Year of St. Joseph - Indulgences

Here is the Old Catholic Encyclopedia article on this great saint:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Joseph

From the Catholic News Agency:
Catholic News Agency: St. Joseph

Finally, from Catholic saints info:
Catholic Saints Info: St. Joseph

I close with a traditional hymn to St. Joseph:

TE, Ioseph, celebrent agmina caelitum,
te cuncti resonent Christiadum chori,
qui, clarus meritis, iunctus es inclitae,
casto foedere Virgini.
Almo cum tumidam germine coniugem
admirans dubio tangeris anxius,
afflatu superi Flaminis, Angelus
conceptum puerum docet.
Tu natum Dominum stringis, ad exteras
Aegypti profugum tu sequeris plagas;
amissum Solymis quaeris et invenis,
miscens gaudia fletibus.
Electos reliquos mors pia consecrat1
palmamque emeritos gloria suscipit;
tu vivens, Superis par, frueris Deo,
mira sorte beatior.
Nobis, summa Trias, parce precantibus;
da Ioseph meritis sidera scandere,
ut tandem liceat nos tibi perpetim
gratum promere canticum.
Amen.

Live well!