Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Head of the Holy Family and virginal father of Jesus, St. Joseph is hailed as the Patron of the Universal Church, as well as of a good death, of families and of workers.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
The LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for My name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to Me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 (R. 37)
R. The son of David will live for ever.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness,
For You have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in Heaven You have confirmed Your faithfulness. R.
“I have made a covenant with My chosen one,
I have sworn to David My servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.” R.
“He shall say of Me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain My kindness toward him,
and My covenant with him stands firm.” R.
Second Reading – Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.
Gospel – Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.
Or Lk 2:41-51a
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when He was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. Thinking that He was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for Him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for You with great anxiety.” And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand what He said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.
Featured Saints
Blessed Isnard de Chiampo, priest (†1244). Dominican religious from Bologna, Italy. Renowned preacher, he brought many sinners and heretics back to God, particularly in Pavia. He founded a convent of his Order in this city.
Blessed John Buralli of Parma, priest (†1289). Franciscan religious sent by Pope Innocent IV as legate to the Greeks to attempt to restore their communion with the Latin Church.
Blessed Mark of Marchio of Montegallo, priest (†1496). After one year of marriage he became a Franciscan and his wife a Clarist. He instituted the work called “Mounts of Mercy” in several Italian cities to aid the poor.
Blessed Narcissus Turchan, priest and martyr (†1942). Franciscan imprisoned in Poland by the Nazi regime and deported to Dachau concentration camp, where he died.
Blessed Andrea Gallerani, layman (†1251). Founded the Hospital of Mercy in Siena, Italy, with his own resources. He served the poor and sick along with several like-minded companions, lay persons without vows .
Blessed Marcello Call, martyr (†1945). Young French layman imprisoned in the Güsen II concentration camp in Mauthausen, Austria, during the Second World War, where he died, exhausted by forced labour in a regime of privation and maltreatment.
Blessed Sibilina Biscossi, virgin (†1367). She lost her sight at 12 years of age. At 15, she became a Dominican tertiary and lived for 65 years in a small cell near the Church of the Friar Preachers, in Pavia, Italy, where she aided many people, with her interior enlightenment and gift of counsel
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