By Christina Hermoso
A Catholic Church leader reminds the faithful on the Feast of Saint Joseph on Tuesday, March 19, “to put your complete trust in God and not be afraid.”
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga
(CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Do not be afraid (Matthew 1:20) was the advice given to St. Joseph, a most opportune reminder for us. We should not be afraid even if we experience calamities, encounter problems. Don't be afraid if we are threatened. Don't let fear paralyze us when we hear abusive, offensive words,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos.
“On the contrary, be strong. We must persevere and hold on to God. God is always in control. He is always with us,” the bishop said.
“To set aside fear, St. Joseph trusted God. With his trust he accepted what God commanded him to do. He followed what God wanted him to do. Let us always place our trust in God and obey His Commandments. If we live our lives according to Him, we will be fearless,” Santos said.
“St. Joseph was not afraid also because he has Mary and Jesus with him. So in our lives, let us welcome Jesus and Mary for us to feel safe and secured in this life. If we take Jesus and Mary in our hearts, we are surely on the road to salvation,” Santos stressed.
Meanwhile, commemorative masses in honor of St. Joseph, one of the Roman Catholic Church’s most popular saints, will be held in several churches across the country and in many parts of the world in honor of the beloved patron of the Universal Church, fathers, workers, and the dying.
The Holy Father Pope Francis was inaugurated as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church at the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy on this day in 2013. The Pontiff is also known to keep an image of a sleeping St. Joseph on top of his work desk at the Vatican.
Considered as the second greatest saint after the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph was a skilled carpenter by profession. He was a model husband to Mary. As the foster father of Jesus, he taught Him basic carpentry skills and “made Jesus aware of the dignity of labor.” Under his guidance, Jesus grew in wisdom and grace.
St. Joseph was a descendant of David, the greatest king of Israel who, according to St. Matthew, was “a righteous, compassionate, and caring man. He was a man of faith and was very subservient to God.” St. Joseph’s other feast day is on May 1 as St. Joseph the Worker, which coincides with Labor Day.