St. Joseph's Feast day

St. Joseph is the first Patron Saint for Canada.  With the canonization of the North American Martyrs in the 20th Century they were added as co-patrons of our country.  A friend of mine (an immigrant to Canada) used to say "It is a national day of celebration in my country" when ever he wanted to have an excuse to celebrate.  Well today is OUR national day of Celebration!  The recent canonization of St. Andre of Montreal (last fall) precipitated a wonderful documentary of his life produced and aired by Salt and Light TV.  This 1 hour video showed Brother Andre's keen devotion to St. Joseph - which resulted in the construction of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal.  The Oratory (another name for a chapel) sits high above Montreal - almost looking over the city - as St. Joseph looked over the Holy Family.

St. Joseph the Betrothed

Today I pray in a special way for the men of Holy Family parish - that (we) may pray to God for a share in the courage and character of St. Joseph in our task of living the gospel today. It has been over 2000 years since Joseph himself accepted the call of God, and kept Mary as his wife, and thereby became the "foster father" of Jesus.
Saint Joseph - Pray for us!