SIMPLE40 - DAY 26 - Solemnity of St. Joseph
- Katie Donahue
- 13 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, guardian of the Universal Church and a powerful intercessor for so many needs: fathers, families, workers, the dying, and those entrusted with care of others.
St. Joseph was a man of quiet strength. A descendant of King David and a humble carpenter, he was entrusted with an extraordinary mission, to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Scripture gives us very few of his words… but an abundance of his faith.
He listened.
He trusted.
He acted.
In the hiddenness of daily life...providing, protecting, and loving...Joseph shows us that holiness is often found in faithful presence.
To learn more about St. Joseph, his spiritual fatherhood and his devotion to Mary and Jesus, I highly recommend the book "Consecration to St. Joseph", by Fr. Donald Calloway.
Let us love above all, let us love Mary as our mother; but then, how could we keep from loving Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues? Now, what else did he do in all his life but contemplate, study, and adore Jesus, even in the midst of his lairdly labors? Behold, therefore, our model. ~St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
spiritual Have you seen the beautiful devotion to Sleeping St. Joseph?
There is a tradition of writing down your prayer intentions and placing them beneath a statue of Joseph asleep, entrusting everything to his care while he rests in the Lord.
It is such a simple but profound reminder: You do not have to carry everything.
Today, take a few minutes to:
Write down your intentions (for others, for your family, for your own heart)
Surrender them to St. Joseph
Trust that God is already at work
If you do not have a statue, you can simply fold a piece of paper and place it somewhere meaningful as your “altar of trust.”
Ask St. Joseph to intercede for you today, especially in the hidden places of your life.
Prayer to the Sleeping St. Joseph
Dear St. Joseph,
Come to my aid and bless me.
Even in your sleep, accompany me in discerning where the Spirit prompts me to go,
and in doing what the Father wills me to do.
Like you, I carry the burden of daily toils on my shoulders.
I build a home where the reign of God can be all in all.
I track the road of righteousness towards the fulfillment of God's Kingdom.
Now, I beg you, as you sleep, share in my dream to become what the Father wants me to be.
And as you awake, help me persevere through self-giving and commitment to prayer.
Towards the twilight of my life, teach me how to live a "happy old age".
And as I breathe my last, hold my hand as you held Jesus' hand.
Draw me to Him, Your beloved Son, my Lord and my God.
Amen.
self and service Today is a solemnity, which means, yes, you are released from your Lenten commitments and sacrifices.
But even more than that…this is liturgical living at its finest.
Right in the heart of the penitential season of Lent, the Church invites us to pause, celebrate, and rejoice. This is a deepening of the meaning of Lent and a reminder that our faith is not just about sacrifice, but about rightly ordered joy.
So receive today as a gift!
St. Joseph shows us that celebration and holiness are not opposed. His life was marked by quiet fidelity, but also by the deep joy of living in God’s will.
A few simple ways to live today well:
Enjoy a favorite meal with gratitude
Affirm and encourage a father or spiritual father in your life
Do one hidden act of service without recognition
Lean into rest without guilt
Ask yourself: Where is God inviting me to trust Him more… instead of striving harder?
Need a little inspiration on how to celebrate today? Check out: CATHOLIC ALL YEAR
simple recipe Did you know that in Italy, Father's Day is today, March 19th? This is definitely on purpose as a way to honor St. Joseph and his intercession for all fathers. I found out there are many food traditions for this day in Italy.
FAVA BEAN SOUP
Fava beans are also called "lucky beans" because they sustained the Sicilians through a terrible famine. Legend has it that St. Joseph interceded for the Italians during this time to bring rain that helped to salvage the crops.
Check out this recipe:
SFINGI This is a traditional Italian pastry made on March 19th in celebration of the feast of St. Joseph. The traditional filling for these cream puffs is sweetened ricotta cheese. Check out this recipe: Sfinge
Thank you for following along. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. katie@integratedlife.co
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