St Joseph

Starting this evening, and continuing through tomorrow, we celebrate St Joseph.

St Joseph, the worker, is the patron saint of workers. In a world of sweatshops, and a more immediate context of national unemployment, zero hour contracts, insecurity, and low wages, he is a deeply relevant saint.

St Joseph, the guardian of Christ, is the patron saint of the Church, the Body of Christ on earth. In a church divided over so many issues, and still working out how to exist in the modern world, he is a deeply relevant saint.

St Joseph, who died in the presence of Jesus and Mary, is the patron saint of dying. In a society which runs away from death, with many of us in denial about our own mortality, he is a deeply relevant saint.

May St Joseph pray for us as we celebrate his feast day.