Two very popular saints are being honored this week, St. Patrick, March 17 and St. Joseph, March 19. They are honored by Christians and our society because of their great influence on the culture and customs of our time. I would like to share with you how they are so different and yet how they are so much alike. Their feast days are observed two days from each other in the Christian Calendar and during the same week. St. Patrick and St. Joseph are two of the most popular and beloved saints in the history of the Church.
St. Patrick is a legend in America because of numerous people from Ireland who migrated to this Country and were very influential in religious, political and economical matters over the last few centuries. Patrick lived as a slave in Ireland most of his youthful years, until he escaped and returned to his homeland In England, where he was ordained as a priest and then later as Bishop. He felt called to return to Ireland and preach the Gospel of Christ effectively to the people who had formally enslaved him. His life and ministry as a missionary demonstrates the power of God’s love over hate and resentment that changed a pagan nation to a civilized and Christian people. Many churches in America are named after St. Patrick as a tribute to the Christian Faith he instilled in the hearts of many immigrants who fled to this Country for a better life.
St. Joseph, the Spouse of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the most beloved of all saints, and has grown even more popular in the last few centuries. Joseph was known as a carpenter, but he is also highly honored as a model of purity and the guardian of Jesus. As the head of the Holy Family he is highly sought after by Christians everywhere for guidance and protection in their own families. The phrase, in Latin, “ITE AD JOSEPH!”, “Go to Joseph!”, says it all. The Catholic Church and Catholic School in Devils Lake look to Joseph as their Patron Saint over more than a hundred years. Today, March 19, is the Patronal Feast of the Parish and School, a day of great rejoicing for the spiritual and pastoral care of St. Joseph over these many years.
Both St. Patrick and St. Joseph stand out as servants who obeyed God in very difficult situations and contributed to building up the Kingdom of God on earth. These humble men stand out as living witnesses of the power of Christ’s love for all humanity which we celebrate this Lent and during the upcoming Easter. Putting God’s Will before our own will continues to be the greatest challenge of our faith. May Joseph and Patrick intercede for us and pray for us to be worthy servants to bring Christ’s love to the world!
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