Patris Corde, 5. A Creatively Courageous Father
In the Gospel accounts we learn that the Son of the Almighty came in to our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph. God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide her and her child. In this sense, Saint Joseph is the guardian of the Church. And the Church is the continuation of the Body of Christ in history. Jesus and Mary his mother are the most precious reassures of our faith.
The Church shows a special love for the least of our brothers and sisters as Jesus did, having been taught by St. Joseph. We too, continue to protect the child and his mother, by our love for the Church. Every poor, needy, suffering or dying person, every stranger, every prisoner and every infirmed person is “the child.” For this reason, Saint Joseph is invoked as protector of the unfortunate, the needy, the exiles, the afflicted, the poor and the dying. We must learn that same care and responsibility.
Saint Joseph, A Creatively Courageous Father, Protector of Families, pray for us.
