May 1, 2024

Hello John,

In his St. Anthony Messenger article, "Acting on the Beatitudes," Casey Cole, OFM, asks, "Do you pray as if your life depends on it? In other words, is your prayer fueled by desperation and outright dependence on God? The world considers an independent, comfortable life to be a blessing, but it doesn’t compare to the ultimate blessing of surrendering completely to God and trusting that he will take care of it all."

Consider his words for a moment and ask yourself: How rich is my prayer life? Can it be improved? In what ways can I deepen my love for God? Franciscan Media's daily newsletter is our way of helping you do that. Pause+Pray, Minute Meditations, and Saint of the Day bring joy to thousands, but we need your help to keep them free.

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Christopher Heffron
Editorial Director 

Saint of the Day for May 1: Joseph the Worker

The Story of Saint Joseph the Worker

To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labor.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”

Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.”

Reflection

To capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic liturgy, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church. In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human work.

Today is the Live Event!

Author and artist Holly Schapker, along with author and art historian Cecelia Dorger, will be discussing the inspiration behind their newly released book: Universal Mother: A Journal for Finding Yourself in Mary, moderated by Maureen O'Brien.

It's happening LIVE on our Facebook page Wednesday, May 1, at 12:30 PM Eastern Standard time.

(The event will be recorded for those unable to attend live.)

Our sovereign queen knows our situation in the midst of the mess. She sees our untouchable beauty and holiness when we cannot. The smoke of our sins does not hinder her sight. Mary knows that God can create harmony out of chaos. She defeated darkness with her love during the Passion, and she continues to win again and again as Our Lady of Victory. Christ is the living torch bearing the flames of love that transform the world.

We sometimes fear the wildfire of light within our souls. But those who choose to follow Christ closely become engulfed in the purifying fire of his Spirit. With burning hearts, we are meant to be fearless: igniting every thought, word, action, and situation with God’s love, giving glory to his name.

—from the book Universal Mother: A Journal for Finding Yourself in Mary
by Holly Schapker and Cecelia Dorger

Join us for the Month of May in your prayerful journey by Praying the Rosary!

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