Fr. Roger Landry on St. Joseph as a Model for Lent

"Like most Christians throughout the first 1400 years of the Church, many today can treat St. Joseph as an afterthought or some kind of ancient 'player-to-be-named-later' in a package deal for the young virgin to whom he was espoused. His role as 'foster father' of Jesus can often be regarded as an expendable accessory. As Matthew's and Luke's genealogies show us, however, St. Joseph was the penultimate piece in a divine cascade stretching all the way back to King David, Abraham and even Adam, and it was through him that Jesus, under Jewish law and mentality, would be a [descendant] of David. If we were to ask Jesus and Mary, I'm convinced that they would want us to grow to love Joseph just as they did.

"2020 is a particularly important year to do so. We are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX's naming St. Joseph as the patron of the universal Church. It's a special sesquicentennial that should influence everything the Church does this year, especially the way we prepare for and celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19.

"And insofar as March 19 always falls within the 40 days of Lent, it is important to learn how to grow in devotion to St. Joseph during the Lenten season. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Father Roger Landry reflected on Saint Joseph as a good example of Lenten virtues "that we do well to ponder and emulate."

To access Fr. Landry's complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Fr. Roger Landry: St. Joseph as a model for Lent (4 MAR 20)