This month is dedicated to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His March 19 feast, a solemnity, is a respite in the penitential season of Lent as we celebrate his fatherly role in the Holy Family and the Church as a whole. Turn to St. Joseph this month – and always – to find a confidante who understands your struggles, sorrows, needs and joys, and takes them to Our Father in heaven. Celebrate one of our most powerful intercessors with these ideas.
In “Befriending St. Joseph: Finding Faith, Hope and Courage in the Seven Sorrows Devotion,” author Deacon Greg Kandra leads readers on a journey of spiritual renewal through the few Bible stories that include St. Joseph. The book offers a fresh take on the centuries-old devotion known as the Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph and provides an opportunity to ponder Joseph’s role in salvation and ways to become more like him. Through guided reflections, readers will imagine what life may have been like for Joseph, Mary and Jesus and will receive guidance to better navigate life, focusing on trust, purity of heart, courage and persistence in faith.