foster fathers’ feast

Mar 18, 2016

I took this picture a few years ago at Los Angeles Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles. The carving is of St. Joseph with a young Jesus. It is a rare and powerful portrayal of a delightful moment in this father-son relationship.

This weekend (Saturday 19th) we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. In the Office of Readings  for the feast, the reading from St. Bernadine of Siena repeatedly highlights one central aspect of his life and mission: he was the foster father of Jesus.

I am thinking especially today of the many men who are loving (as fathers), children who are not their own biological offspring.  Today, more men than ever are in this situation. There are many reasons for this reality. But how these men found themselves as foster fathers is not as important as the fact that they are now called by God to love, as fathers, their foster children.

Some of these men are providing fatherly love to children who in earlier years were denied this love, or who tragically were mis-treated and unloved by their ‘fathers’.

Many foster-fathers are replacing lost fathers, or sharing the role of fatherhood for perhaps a few hours or days each week.

Whatever your situation as a foster father, today (the feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus) we celebrate your feast day.

And today especially we pray for you.

Joseph LA 1

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

building bridges

building bridges

It’s hard not to accept this evidence of unity as an answer to prayer and a sign of divine intervention

consecrated

consecrated

It really highlighted how rich the church is in its diversity but also it’s unity in our common faith

Leo on Augustine

Leo on Augustine

You might appreciate this brief clip of Pope Leo (in English) introducing us to Augustine.

Leo XIV

Leo XIV

In Aotearoa we feel a connection with our new pope since he grew up speaking and thinking in our language.

an answer…

an answer…

The clear evidence is that the Holy Spirit has spoken and has been heard