9781644135945

The Light of the World
chosen by God as the protector of the Holy Family at Nazareth, of the holy family of God, the
Church, and of every Christian family. For St. Joseph’s sake the blessing and the protection of
God rests on the Church and on the Christian family. With confidence we should appeal to St.
Joseph in all our needs and place our trust in him.
The second type. The king of Egypt had a dream that caused him great uneasiness. Seven
kine, very fat and beautiful, came up out of the river Nile. Then seven other kine, very lean and
ill-favored, also came up and they devoured the seven fat kine. And the king sent for his interpreters,
but they could not declare the meaning of the dream. Then by chance Pharao heard of
Joseph in prison, and ordered him to be brought. Joseph explained the dream, and then Pharao
said to him: “Seeing that God hath shown thee all that thou hast said, can I find one wiser and
one like unto thee? Thou shalt be over my house, and at the commandment of thy mouth all
the people shall obey. . . . Behold, I have appointed thee over the whole land of Egypt” (Gn
41:39–41). Then Pharao placed his signet ring on Joseph’s finger and a golden chain about his
neck. A herald went before him and declared him to be over the whole land of Egypt. Joseph
was charged with the responsibility of seeing that provision was made for the seven lean years.
Joseph discharged this duty well. He arranged matters so that during the seven years of want
which followed the seven years of plenty, there was no shortage of bread. “And the famine
prevailed in the whole world, but there was bread in all the land of Egypt” (Gn 41:54). Where
St. Joseph rules, where he has been made the protector of the Church and the family, there is
never any spiritual famine. In the realm of St. Joseph there is never a lack of bread, even when
all other lands are laid waste by famine. How many thousands have experienced that Joseph
never refuses their request for spiritual aid! With Holy Mother the Church we should go to
Joseph to “buy food.”
We recognize in St. Joseph the fulfillment of the words of today’s Mass: “Alleluia, alleluia.
In whatever tribulation they shall cry to me, I will hear them and be their protector always.”
We shall take St. Joseph at his word. We believe in him, trust in him, and seek him out in
all our needs.
“And the famine prevailed in the whole world, but there was bread in all the land of
Egypt.” There is no want wherever St. Joseph rules. Yet how much hunger there is today in
the hearts of men, even in those who come from Christian families, and even in the souls
of those consecrated to God! The Church directs us to apply to St. Joseph. “As Thou dost
make us rejoice in the protection of blessed Joseph, so by his merits and prayers make us
partakers of everlasting glory” (Postcommunion). In the Mass he obtains for us the grace
to “make our hearts despise all earthly things, and love Thee, the one true God, with perfect
charity” (Secreta).
Prayer
It is truly meet and just, right and profitable for us at all times and in all places to give thanks to
Thee, O holy Lord, the Father Almighty, everlasting God. And with due praises magnify Thee,
bless, and proclaim Thee on the feast of blessed Joseph, who, as a just man, was given by Thee
as the spouse of the virgin Mother of God, and, as a faithful and prudent servant, was set over
Thy family, that with fatherly care he might guard Thy only-begotten Son, who was conceived
by the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Preface of St. Joseph.)
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