Feast Day March 19
Patron of the Universal Church
Scripture tells us very little about St joseph. We know that he was espoused to Mary at the time of the Annunciation of the .Angel Gabriel. Espoused meaning they were married but not living in the same household yet.Anotherwords they were married legally but the ceremony had not taken place.
We know that when Joseph was instructed in a dream not to divorce Mary he went ahead with the marriage ceremony. We recognize Joseph as the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. We know that he sought out a suitable place for Mary to give birth.We know he was a carpenter but could not have been wealthy. He brought 2 turtle doves as an offering when Jesus was circumcised.We know that he took Mary and Jesus and fled into Egypt to protect Jesus from being murdered.When Jesus left the Temple[ after being missing for 3 days] he went home and was obedient to his parents. Scripture tells us very little about Joseph by word,but much by example. We can probably assume he was deceased before Jesus was crucified. He was not present at the Passion,Crucifixion or Ressurection.
Read more at: Catholic Saints and Angels Online
Icons,Windows into Heaven
The role of the family-questions re same sex 'marriage' and the Church
from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2357 "Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved."
http://usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/
Father Paul Scalia wrote in his article http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/apologetics/same-sex-attractions-part-i-sexuality-and-homosexuality.html "the Church does not propose different standards of sexual morality (one heterosexual and another homosexual). Rather, she articulates the truth about human sexuality for all – a truth that is not her exclusive possession but pertains to the nature of man. She bears witness to the natural law, to the design and purpose of human sexuality. The truth is this: Human sexuality has meaning, purpose and design – all discernible by natural reason. It is for something: for procreation and union.
We want our lives (especially the most intimate part of them) to have meaning and purpose. But these come with limits. "
He goes on further to articulate Church teaching on how to treat persons with the disordered attraction,
"Finally, and most importantly, the person. The human person is always a good and always to be respected – indeed, loved. The person – no matter his attractions – is a child of God, bears the likeness of God and is redeemed by the blood of Christ. Those with same-sex attractions are not an exception to this. They are called to chastity, to holiness – to heaven. They experience a particular struggle, and at times a deeply painful one. But that does not undermine their dignity as persons."
Litany of St Joseph
Act of Consecration to St. Joseph
O blessed Joseph, foster father of my Savior and chaste spouse of the mother of God, this day I irrevocably adopt thee for my intercessor with the Almighty as well as my model, my protector and my father in this valley of exile. O Holy Joseph, whom the Lord constituted guardian of His Family, I beseech thee to extender thy tender solicitude over all my interests. Kindle in my heart a vehement love for Jesus and enable me to serve Him with all thy devotedness and fidelity. Aid my inability to venerate Mary as my advocate, to honor her as my Queen and to love her as my Mother. Be my never-failing guide in the way of virtue and piety, and grant that, after having faithfully followed thee in the path of justice, I may receive thy powerful protection at the hour of my death. Amen.