Page 108 - Reflections on St. Joseph

The Betrothal

of the

MOTHER

O F GOD

Fr. Manuel Manrique, OSJ

O

ne of the more traditional feast of our
Congregation is the Feast of the Holy
Spouse Mary and Joseph. This
celebration is found at the very beginning of
our Institute and was celebrated in a special
way by the “carissimi” (seminarians) then and
now (January 23). The Josephite-Marellian
Laity has a particular indulgence available for
its members on this date and we Oblates of St.
Joseph are also able to take advantage of this.

The theme of our reflection this month
proposed to us is “The Betrothal of the Mother of
God”. We would like to consider this title with
the modesty which is necessary to a devotion
which considers the mystery without
pretending to have the same erudition which
the experts in this matter could share with us.

From the Gospel according to St. Matthew (1:1-
2:23.)

In the tradition of St. Matthew is found the
justification for Jesus being the Messiah. This is
a fundamental fact which ties the fulfillment of
the messianic promises with the event of the
incarnation of the Word. Joseph is no mute

84 Reflections on st. joseph