Page 92 - Reflections on St. Joseph

Lk. 2:39-40 : “(After the presentation in the Temple, Joseph, Mary and the child) returned
to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with
wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him”.
Lk. 2:51-52 : “(After Jesus stayed behind in the Temple, Jesus) went down with them and
came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in
her heart. And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man”.
A hidden life which lasted “about thirty years…He was the son, as was thought, of
Joseph” (Lk. 3:23).

ohn Paul II notes in “Redemptoris Custos”: “The growth of Jesus ‘in wisdom and in stature, and
in favor with God and man’ (Lk 2:52) took place within the Holy Family under the eyes of
Joseph” (n. 16). Therefore, Joseph’s family, the Holy Family, not only is “the prototype and
example for all Christian families” (ibid, n. 7), but also “an example and model for human
families, in the order of salvation and holiness” (ibid, n. 22).

As for Jesus, also for us who belong to the Family of the Oblates of St. Joseph or to the Josephite-
Marellian Family, there is a path of growth (inevitably) in age and just as much a growth
(chosen) in wisdom and grace before God and men.

DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH in the “Holy Family” Province

In our “Holy Family” Province, in all of our Houses, besides the daily recitation of the Litany of
St. Joseph and the prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary, there is the weekly practice of the
“Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph”, which in some parishes is prayed with the people.

Each Wednesday, when the Liturgy permits, the votive mass of St. Joseph is celebrated. To this
we add, on the same conditions, the votive mass of St. Joseph Marello each Tuesday, just as each
Saturday the votive mass of Our Lady.

In various ways, the Month of St. Joseph is celebrated.

68 Reflections on st. joseph