Catholic All Week

While St. Patrick might be the first saint who comes to mind with a March feast day, one of the most popular saints – and most important historical figures – also is celebrated this month, St. Joseph. St. Joseph’s feast day is March 19, and from the moment he consented to taking Mary as his wife after an angel appeared to him, he was known for always saying “yes” to God’s plan. Here are some ways to learn from – and grow closer to – the foster father of Jesus this Lent.

Read about him

There are many wonderful books about St. Joseph - including reading about him in the Bible – but one that stands out for its practicality is ”Through the Heart of St. Joseph” by Benedictine Father Boniface Hicks. Each chapter dives into one aspect of St. Joseph’s character, such as his silence, his role as a parent and his protectiveness, and concludes with a prayer. Through it all, the author encourages readers to turn to St. Joseph in those moments of uncertainty in their own lives.

Pray for his intercession

Aside from the Blessed Mother, it would be challenging to find a saint who has inspired more prayers than St. Joseph. He is known as the patron of a happy death, workers and families. He is frequently asked for help with housing and in desperate situations. From the 30 Days Prayer for special requests, the Litany to St. Joseph and the Memorare to Pope Francis’ modern prayer to St. Joseph that he included in his 2020 apostolic letter “Patris Corde,” there is a prayer to the saint for nearly every occasion. Find one that speaks to you: St. Joseph devotions, Prayer to St. Joseph, and  Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary.

Build a St. Joseph Altar

This tradition started in Sicily in the Middle Ages, when residents pleaded to their patron saint for relief from a drought that caused a famine. After the rains came, the residents built an altar overflowing with food to thank the saint and then distributed the items to those in need. St. Joseph Altars are traditionally built in three tiers to honor the Trinity, with a statue or picture of the saint on the top tier. Flowers, fruit, cookies, candles and medals decorate all three levels, and visitors often leave prayer petitions. Sicilian immigrants brought the tradition to New Orleans, where it continues to this day with more than 40 churches listed on the Archdiocese’s website as destinations for altars this year.

Catholic All Week

Ash Wednesday ushers in the season of Lent. This penitential time recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert in preparation for his public ministry. Catholics traditionally use this time to grow closer to Jesus through three main practices: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This year, make the most of your journey by finding creative – and meaningful – ways to pray, fast and be charitable. By Easter, you’ll feel rejuvenated in mind, body and spirit – ready to greet the Risen Lord.

Prayer

Remembering why we pray – to deepen our relationship with God – can help strengthen our prayer lives. This Lent, try something new – or something you have not done in awhile – to get a fresh perspective on prayer. Follow the Stations of the Cross in your parish (learn about the Marian Stations of the Cross), pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary, find a new Lenten devotion on your favorite prayer app, or simply carve out some intentional quiet time without distractions to talk to God in the quiet of a church, your home or in nature.

Fasting

Giving up something for Lent should cause us to hunger – whether it’s for food, comfort or convenience. Hunger pangs remind us that only God can truly satisfy us. Adults (ages 18 to 59) are to abstain from eating meat and only consume one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Two smaller meals are permitted but combined should not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics (14 and older) are to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Meats include beef, pork, chicken and any other “flesh” meat. Fish and dairy are fine. Children, adults with physical and mental illness, and pregnant or nursing women are exempt from fasting. The U.S. bishops stress that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast. Consider also giving up a luxury or something that distracts you from time spent with Jesus – such as social media.

Almsgiving

During Lent, we focus more intently on “almsgiving” by donating money, goods, time or talents to help lift up our brothers and sisters in need. Take this more active role in faith by donating to a charity that makes a difference (learn about Catholic Relief Services), giving away unneeded items or donating time and talent to an organization that needs volunteers.

Catholic All Week

Love is one of the primary focuses of the calendar in early February, as the Church celebrates National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 8) as well as the feast of St. Valentine (Feb. 14). While there are actually three St. Valentines in the church calendar, all of them were martyrs and all are remembered on Feb. 14. According to tradition, St. Valentine risked his life to marry Christian couples during a time of persecution. Here are some ideas for bringing faith into your Valentine’s Day celebrations:

Spread love

Valentine’s Day from a Catholic perspective is all about sharing love with those in your family and with the wider community. Fun ideas for the day include baking heart-shaped treats and sharing them with others, sending handmade scriptural Valentine’s Day cards with Bible verses about love, or creating prayers jars. To make the jars, write caring ideas on strips of paper – such as praying for each other, doing a good deed, or offering Mass or adoration for another’s intentions – and then fill a mason jar with the strips. Each day, pull one out randomly and fulfill the task. Find more recipes.

Strengthen your purpose

“Together with Purpose” is the theme of National Marriage Week 2026. The website www.marriageweek.org offers links to live broadcasts diving deeper into this year’s theme as well as helpful resources for couples who want to strengthen their marriage, navigate a rough patch, work through blended family issues or get Catholic dating advice.

Make time for others

“Love for the poor – whatever the form their poverty may take – is the evangelical hallmark of a Church faithful to the heart of God,” Pope Leo XIV wrote in “Dilexi Te” (“I Have Loved You”), an apostolic exhortation “to all Christians on love for the poor.” The document was begun by Pope Francis, but Pope Leo added to it and signed the document on Oct. 4, 2025, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. There are many volunteer opportunities available through local parishes that allow individuals and families to help the poor directly by contributing to food banks and supply drives, or assisting at shelters. Check with your parish or Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte to learn more.