March: The Month of Saint Joseph

In the United States, the month of March is most often associated with Saint Patrick, and tons of corned beef and cabbage and many gallons of Irish stout are consumed on March 17 in his honor. Throughout most of the rest of the Catholic world, however (with the obvious exception of Ireland), the month of March is associated with a saint whose primary feast falls two days later, on March 19: Saint Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ.

Indeed, the Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of March to Saint Joseph and urges us to pay special attention to his life and example. In the 20th century, several popes had a deep devotion to Saint Joseph, and Pope Saint Pius X (1903-14) approved a public litany, the Litany of Saint Joseph, while Pope John XXIII (1958-63) wrote A Prayer for Workers, asking Saint Joseph to intercede for them.

Fathers, in particular, should cultivate devotion to Saint Joseph, whom God Himself chose to care for His Son. As we learn more about Saint Joseph, we can teach our own boys about the virtues of fatherhood through his example.

One place to start is with a novena to Saint Joseph. The Novena to Saint Joseph is a very good prayer for fathers; while the Novena to Saint Joseph the Worker is perfect for those times when we have an important project or assignment that we're having trouble completing.

(Statue of Saint Joseph in the Lourdes Grotto, Saint Mary Oratory, Rockford, Illinois. Photo © Scott P. Richert.)

Prayers to Saint Joseph:

• Prayers for March: The Month of Saint Joseph
• Litany of Saint Joseph
• A Prayer for Workers
• Novena to Saint Joseph
• Novena to Saint Joseph the Worker
• Offering to Saint Joseph
• Prayer for Fidelity to Work
• For the Intercession of Saint Joseph

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