Homily for the Solemnity of St. Joseph

Homily for the Solemnity of
St. Joseph

March 19, 2026
Collect
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.
Blessed Sacrament, N.R. (Italian Mass)

A Salesian feast of St. Joseph in Rome, 2014

In the collect, we prayed that God’s Church might “constantly watch over” the mysteries of our salvation; or more specifically, “the unfolding of the mysteries,” i.e., how the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection touch our lives and our redemption day by day.

We prayed for St. Joseph’s intercession on behalf of God’s Church because Joseph is the Church’s great patron, its foster father, we might say.  The collect makes that connection.  As St. Joseph faithfully cared for the mystery of redemption from its beginning, so we pray that he continue to care for it faithfully now.

That mystery is embodied in Jesus Christ, whom St. Joseph first accepted while Jesus was still in Mary’s womb, and whom Joseph kept safe and guided as Jesus began his earthly journey from Bethlehem to Nazareth to the boy’s first trip to Jerusalem.  Joseph protected the life and health of the Son of God, and now as patron of the Church he continues to protect and guide Christ’s whole Body—all the men and women who are part of the Lord Jesus.

In the Church, in the Body of Christ, the mysteries of our salvation continue to be revealed and worked out, believer by believer, and the whole Body continues to thrive because Christ lives.  And St. Joseph is forever invested in Christ living.  May he help us to thrive, to flourish, as his children in Christ.