Did you know that each month has a traditional Catholic devotion? This year, let’s focus on each devotion month by month to grow in our faith and traditions! Make yourself notes, write it on your calendar, and pray a specific prayer each day of the month to remember. You could use a prayer already associated with the devotion or pray a personal one.
Traditionally, Wednesdays are the weekday devoted to St. Joseph, the most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his (movable) feast day is March 19. If you already know much about St. Joseph, it’s time to learn more!
In 1889, Pope Leo XIII gave us Quamquam Pluries (On Devotion to St. Joseph), which reads: “Fathers of families find in Joseph the best personification of paternal solicitude and vigilance; spouses a perfect example of love, of peace, and of conjugal fidelity; virgins at the same time find in him the model and protector of virginal integrity. The noble of birth will learn of Joseph how to guard their dignity even in misfortune; the rich will understand, by his lessons, what are the goods most to be desired and won at the price of their labor. As to workmen, artisans, and persons of lesser degree, their recourse to Joseph is a special right, and his example is for their particular imitation. For Joseph, of royal blood, united by marriage to the greatest and holiest of women, reputed the father of the Son of God, passed his life in labor, and won by the toil of the artisan the needful support of his family.”
There is much to say and yet not much to say about our holy, hardworking patriarchal saint. The Bible does not expound on his life to great extent, and we only read about him for a short time in the Gospel stories. He, like Mary during the Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25 ), humbly accepted messages from God with an open heart. This is not because he is insignificant. He followed God’s Will so greatly that the silence is telling.
Glorifying God with your life does not require fame and fortune. We are not all called to be sought-after speakers and renowned theologians. Even as humble tradespeople, we glorify God.
March Feast Days
March 3: St. Katharine Drexel
March 4: St. Casimir
March 7: Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
March 8: St. John of God
March 9: St. Frances of Rome
March 12: St. Luigi Orione
March 17: St. Patrick
March 18: St. Cyril
March 19: St. Joseph
March 23: St. Turibius of Mogrovejo
March 24: St. Oscar Romero
March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord
March 26: St. Basil the Younger
March 29: Palm Sunday | St. Berthold
Reflection Questions For March:
- How does St. Joseph, a strong and silent saint, relate to you?
- What about St. Joseph’s humility in the bible and traditional stories of him inspire in you?
- How can you follow St. Joseph’s example to be a better follower of Christ, as a man or woman?
- Where in your life do you feel the need for spiritual fatherhood?
- Where in others’ lives can you be a spiritual parent where they need one?
- How do you celebrate this month’s feasts both with humility and being proud to be a part of the Catholic Church? Don’t forget about St. Patrick’s Day!
Catholic Challenge For March :
This month consider reading this whole document or another writing about St. Joseph. Choose at least one prayer or devotion such as the thirty-day prayer, a simple prayer to pray each day this month ), the miraculous white cord of St. Joseph devotion is also known as St. Joseph’s Cinctures/Cords, or consecration. If you are considering Holy Orders, perhaps check out the Josephites. Men are encouraged to look into the ministry of the Fathers of St. Joseph.
Catholic Books To Read In March
Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father
Through the Heart of St. Joseph
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross
Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection
Catholic Prayers To Pray In March
Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most strong, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of artisans, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the wretched, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world. And prince over all his possessions.
He made him the lord of his household.
Let us pray, — O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed
Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy
to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You
who live and reign forever and ever.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
More March Catholic Resources
