Year of St Joseph

Today we celebrate fatherhood in Australia. We honour not just dads, but grandfathers, big brothers, uncles, priests whom we call “Father,” and anyone else who fulfills a fatherly role for others.

It has extra significance in this Year of St Joseph as we also recall the exemplary role-model and patron saint of fathers—Saint Joseph—foster father of Jesus, husband of Our Lady and patron of the Universal Church.

St Joseph experienced the same difficulties in life we all do, yet he lived an exemplary life and established an ideal that is well-worth emulating for all fathers who have come after him. St Joseph was a man of compassion and caring. He was a man possessed of unwavering faith in God. He was a man who loved and protected his family. As St Matthew describes him in his Gospel, Joseph was a “righteous man” (Mt 1:19).

On this Father’s Day, let us ask St Joseph for his intercession on behalf of all dads and that his holy example continue to be an inspiration to all fathers, using a beautiful prayer from the Carmelite Sisters:

Oh, St Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

Oh, St Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.

Oh, St Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St Joseph, Patron of departed souls, pray for me. Amen.

We also pray the prayer that Pope Francis gave us for the Year of St Joseph:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.