SAINT
JOSEPH IS THE PATRON OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS WELL AS OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES,
VIRGINS, EXILES AND THE SUFFERING. HE IS ALSO INVOKED FOR A HAPPY AND HOLY
DEATH AND FOR FINDING A GOOD HUSBAND
He
is regarded as the Patron of the Catholic Church for the Church is the Holy
Family extended in the course of the centuries. The Church is really Greater
Nazareth, with Saint Joseph as its head. With the many problems being encountered
by the Church today, it is an opportune time to call on its guardian and patron
to protect it from its enemies.
Saint
Joseph watches over children with a loving care as he guarded and cared for
the Infant Saviour. He protects families because he was the head of the greatest
family that ever existed. He also loves workers because even if he came from
the royal house of David, he worked as a carpenter to support the Holy Family.
He
protects virgins because he himself had a virginal heart, his wife was a Virgin
and he stood nearest, after Mary, to the "Lamb without spot". He is
also the patron of those who rejoice and suffer because his own heart experienced
seven joys and seven sorrows. He is even the patron of exiles since he spent
seven years with Jesus and Mary in a foreign land. He is invoked for a happy
and holy death since he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary. He is likewise invoked
by women who wish to find a good husband because he had all the God-given qualities
as befitted the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus.
