March is a month that marks the transition from winter to spring, symbolizing renewal and growth. The changing of the seasons reminds us that life springs from periods of dormancy, as illustrated by this month’s quiet saint, who received direction from God even as he slept. March is dedicated to Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. This dedication offers a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebration of this great saint.
Let’s look further into the Church’s choice of St. Joseph for this month’s devotion, what the saints have said about him, some practical ways to honor him, and prayers that can deepen our devotion to this saint, most dearly loved by Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.
Why is March Dedicated to Saint Joseph?
Every month in the Catholic Church is dedicated to a particular devotion; for March, it is Saint Joseph. This is due to the principal feast of Saint Joseph being celebrated on March 19th. This date was chosen to honor and commemorate his role as the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ. It usually falls during the season of Lent and provides an opportunity to consider and embrace the sacrifice and suffering of Saint Joseph as he lived each moment in God’s will and anticipated the inevitable passion of his beloved foster Son.
By dedicating the month of March to Saint Joseph, the Church encourages believers to reflect on his virtues, seek his intercession, and deepen their understanding of his significance in salvation history.
Key Catholic Feast Days in March
March is a month rich in liturgical celebrations, two of which are directly related to this month’s devotion.
The Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, commemorates Saint Joseph, who, as Pope Leo XIII states, “shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by the divine will he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men.”
The Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrated on March 25, commemorates the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she would conceive Jesus. To this Glorious Virgin and her Divine Son were given the virtuous Saint Joseph to lead, guard, and provide for them.
Catholic Saints and Saint Joseph
Many notable saints have held a deep devotion to Saint Joseph; among them are Saint Gertrude the Great, Saint Bernard, Saint Teresa of Avila, and Blessed Pope Pius IX.
Saint Gertrude spoke of a vision she was given in which Our Lady revealed the glory of Saint Joseph. She writes,
“I saw Heaven opened and Saint Joseph sitting upon a magnificent throne. I felt myself wonderfully affected, when each time his name was mentioned, all the saints made a profound inclination toward him, showing by the serenity and sweetness of their looks that they rejoiced with him on account of his exalted dignity.”
Saint Bernard says,
“If you want to form an idea of Saint Joseph’s greatness, consider that by a divine privilege, he merited to bear the title of ‘Father of Jesus.’ Reflect too that his own name, ‘Joseph,’ means – an increase. Keeping in mind the great patriarch Joseph, sold by his brothers in Egypt, understand that our Saint has inherited not only his name but even more, his power, his innocence, and his sanctity. As the patriarch Joseph stored the wheat, not for himself, but for the people in their time of need, so [Saint] Joseph has received a heavenly commission to watch over the Living Bread not for himself alone, but for the entire world.”
Perhaps the greatest devotee of Saint Joseph, Saint Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite nun who took Saint Joseph as her patron, relates,
“I cannot call to mind that I have ever asked him anything which he has not granted. . . . Jesus would have us understand that, as He was Himself subject to him upon earth – for Joseph having the title of father, and being His guardian, could command Him – so now in Heaven, Jesus does whatever Joseph asks.”
Blessed Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the Patron of the Catholic Church in 1871. Among other shining accolades of Saint Joseph, the Blessed Pope stated,
“[God] gave [Saint Joseph] charge of His greatest treasures. He destined him to espouse the Immaculate Virgin Mary of whom was born, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, our Saviour, Jesus Christ . . . Saint Joseph not only saw the Redeemer, long desired of kings and prophets, he conversed with Him and embraced Him with paternal affection. With the utmost devotion, he provided food for Him Whom the faithful were to receive as the Heavenly Bread of eternal life.“On account of this sublime dignity which God was pleased to confer on so great a servant, the Church, besides imploring Saint Joseph’s protection in every need, has always honored and praised him as second only to the Virgin Mother of God, His spouse.”
6 Ways to Grow in Devotion to Saint Joseph this March
Here are a few ideas to help you dedicate March to St. Joseph.
- Pray the Prayer to Saint Joseph daily (see below).
- As the patron saint of work, offer a prayer of thanksgiving during your work day for the love for Saint Joseph. Also, honor the Sabbath (Sundays and Holy Days for Catholics) as a day of rest from any work.
- Read and meditate on the role of Saint Joseph from passages of Scripture like the Presentation (Luke 2:28-33), or the Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).
- Place an image or icon of Saint Joseph in your house. Seek intercession for your family from Saint Joseph, who is called the Pillar of Families.
- Honor the fathers in your life. Remember to include your priest or spiritual father. Send them a card expressing your gratitude on the Feast Day of Saint Joseph.
- Strive to live a life that reflects the virtues of Saint Joseph. Seek to imitate his love for Mary and Jesus.
Further Reading on Saint Joseph
Here are a few of the many books and articles that provide valuable insights for those interested in deepening their devotion to Saint Joseph.
- Consecration to Saint Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Father Donald Calloway, lays out a thorough program of consecration to Saint Joseph, information on the 10 wonders of St. Joseph, and prayers and devotions to him.
- The Divine Favors Granted to St. Joseph, by Fr. Pére Binet, includes St. Joseph’s titles, and discusses his gifts, virtues, abundance of graces, and individual accounts of his divine assistance granted to those in need.
- To Know St. Joseph – What Catholic Tradition Teaches About the Man Who Raised God, by Msgr. Dominique Le Tourneau, draws on a lifetime of prayer and scholarship, along with two millennia of Catholic tradition, to unpack the mystery of this magnificent and silent saint.
- Saint Joseph, Fatima and Fatherhood: Reflections on the Miracle of the Sun by Msgr. Joseph Cirricione, a look into the significance of the apparition of the Holy Family at Fatima and the dangerous attack on the role of fatherhood in these modern times.
Prayers Honoring Saint Joseph
There are many prayers dedicated to honoring St. Joseph, some dating back to the earliest years of the Catholic tradition.
Prayer to St. Joseph, from the 1st century
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so prompt, so strong,
before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession,
and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me and
Ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departed souls – pray for me. Amen.
Saint Joseph, Model of Workers
O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having death always before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.
All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch St. Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and in death.
Short Consecration to Saint Joseph
Blessed St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector, and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life. After your example, may I perform my actions for the greater Glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and with you. Pray for me, Saint Joseph, that I may experience the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Joseph for a Special Favor
O Blessed Saint Joseph, tender-hearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, we pray and beseech thee to offer to God the Father His Divine Son, bathed in blood on the cross for sinners, and through the thrice-holy Name of Jesus, obtain for us from the Eternal Father, the favor we implore. (Mention your intention)
Appease the Divine anger so justly inflamed by our crimes; beg of Jesus mercy for thy children. Amid the splendors of eternity, forget not the sorrows of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep. Stay the Almighty arm which smites us, that by thy prayers and those of thy most holy spouse, the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon. Amen.
Prayer to Conform to the Will of God
Great Saint Joseph, to whose will the Savior subjected Himself, obtain for me the grace to subject myself in all things to the will of God. Through the merits you obtained when in the darkness of night you obeyed the angel’s commands, ask for me this grace, that nothing may detain me from fulfilling the will of God with perfect conformity. In the stable of Bethlehem, on the flight to Egypt, you recommended yourself and those dear to you to divine Providence. Ask for me this same grace to conform myself to the will of God in discouragement and despondency, in health and sickness, in happiness and misfortune, in success and failure so that nothing may disturb the tranquility of my soul in obediently following the say of God for me. Amen
Conclusion
The dedication of March to St. Joseph is a rich tradition that invites us to reflect on this great Saint’s faith, humility, obedience, and selfless love. He is an exceptional model for us in navigating our spiritual journey. As we come to understand more about the extraordinary gifts that are bestowed on those who love Saint Joseph, we can pray for deeper devotion to him, and through him, to Our Lord and Our Lady. This March let us make a commitment to spending time in study, prayer, and meditation on this great Saint and consecrate ourselves and our families to his special care.
