Always nice to see a piece from Sandra Miesel, once a leading St. Blog's (remember that term?) commenter. (The piece seems to have been recycled a few times over, but she appears in the comments as well from 2021.)
Which story is from her? I do like her work. In fact, I have an explainer about Freemasons that she wrote for the Catholic World Report waiting in a tab to be read (hopefully soon).
I'll never forget a Lenten homily I watched given by Cdl Cupich. My daughter was in the hospital with a serious infection, and I was the only parent allowed to stay with her because of COVID protocols still in effect. My wife was forced to mainly watch her daughter (hopefully, at the time) get better via FaceTime. We had several other young children at home that she was caring for, and I was working as the sole-income producing parent (remotely in a hospital room). Needless to say, it was a very traumatic time for our family. ANYWAY, I remember the homily the good Cardinal gave that Sunday about the Father's love for us and Jesus's exile in the desert as our Lenten experience. It gave me profound grace at a time when I needed it, and I really could sense he was speaking from a heart truly believed.
I haven't shared that story very often, but I'm eternally grateful to the Cardinal for those words, regardless of his ideology or theology or whatever. May God abundantly bless him on his birthday!
The gospels — and Mary herself — never refer to Joseph as “foster” father, guardian, stepfather, etc, but simply and only as Jesus’ “father.” Why can’t we do the same?
I agree. I think I can understand why JD referred to St. Joseph as a "foster father", but reading those words invariably brings to mind the Sparkle Creed and its reference to Jesus having "two dads."
Maybe "adoptive father" is better? That has a nice symmetry to it, too -- God, becoming man, was adopted by St. Joseph, so that we might be adopted by the Father and thus become like God (i.e., partakers in the divine nature).
Great stuff as always, JD. And I can't pass up this opportunity to use one of the coolest saintly titles in our faith - St. Joseph, Terror of demons, pray for us!
The beginning and end of today’s edition are beautiful. My dad passed away in 2021. He was fun loving, a great storyteller and a man of great faith who was, indeed, the faith leader all dads are called to be. I’m grateful for the earthly father God gave my siblings and me.
Love the new take on St. Joseph! And the suggestion that those who don’t have the best example of fatherhood in their own dads look to him.
He was a “righteous man” which means so much in Biblical terms. We should all aspire to be described in that way.
If he told good stories to the customers in his shop and to his family, I hope St. Joe and my dad, Tony, are sharing some good memories and some laughs. Thanks for this. And God bless your dad, JD!
Dear fellow Pillar readers, please keep my wife's family in your prayers. One of her aunts passed away yesterday afternoon after a lengthy struggle against colon cancer.
Wow, checking out the list of Cardinals and Bishops on the Pontifical North American College's Wikipedia page is a veritable who's who of Pillar-mentioned clergy. Outside of the aforementioned '75ers, there's Monforton in '94, McElroy in '86, Dolan in '76, and Coyne in '86.
I'm almost a little surprised that I didn't see McCarrick's name on the list (he apparently attended St. Josephs Seminary in Yonkers and the Catholic University of America in D.C.).
The Most Rev. Provost is the bishop of a neighboring diocese. Because south Louisiana is such a small world, I'm pretty familiar with him. He's a wonderful pastor for his diocese.
Always nice to see a piece from Sandra Miesel, once a leading St. Blog's (remember that term?) commenter. (The piece seems to have been recycled a few times over, but she appears in the comments as well from 2021.)
Which story is from her? I do like her work. In fact, I have an explainer about Freemasons that she wrote for the Catholic World Report waiting in a tab to be read (hopefully soon).
The link about the rise in St. Joseph devotion from modest beginnings was by her.
How many were in that NAC class, total?
42 guys, 10 bishops.
Is there somewhere we could get a list?
I'll never forget a Lenten homily I watched given by Cdl Cupich. My daughter was in the hospital with a serious infection, and I was the only parent allowed to stay with her because of COVID protocols still in effect. My wife was forced to mainly watch her daughter (hopefully, at the time) get better via FaceTime. We had several other young children at home that she was caring for, and I was working as the sole-income producing parent (remotely in a hospital room). Needless to say, it was a very traumatic time for our family. ANYWAY, I remember the homily the good Cardinal gave that Sunday about the Father's love for us and Jesus's exile in the desert as our Lenten experience. It gave me profound grace at a time when I needed it, and I really could sense he was speaking from a heart truly believed.
I haven't shared that story very often, but I'm eternally grateful to the Cardinal for those words, regardless of his ideology or theology or whatever. May God abundantly bless him on his birthday!
I always appreciate your reflections on saints. St. Joseph pray for us.
Great reflections on St. Joseph and on fatherhood, JD- thank you
Looking forward to ‘see’ you & the great panel on the NCPD/IHE virtual event!
The gospels — and Mary herself — never refer to Joseph as “foster” father, guardian, stepfather, etc, but simply and only as Jesus’ “father.” Why can’t we do the same?
I agree. I think I can understand why JD referred to St. Joseph as a "foster father", but reading those words invariably brings to mind the Sparkle Creed and its reference to Jesus having "two dads."
I think the truth is that St. Joseph's relationship to Jesus is completely sui generis -- no term adequately or entirely describes it.
I've got adopted kids, so I like thinking about St. Joseph as a foster father of sorts, too. But the term might have negative connotations for some.
Maybe "adoptive father" is better? That has a nice symmetry to it, too -- God, becoming man, was adopted by St. Joseph, so that we might be adopted by the Father and thus become like God (i.e., partakers in the divine nature).
Thank you JD
Great stuff as always, JD. And I can't pass up this opportunity to use one of the coolest saintly titles in our faith - St. Joseph, Terror of demons, pray for us!
The beginning and end of today’s edition are beautiful. My dad passed away in 2021. He was fun loving, a great storyteller and a man of great faith who was, indeed, the faith leader all dads are called to be. I’m grateful for the earthly father God gave my siblings and me.
Love the new take on St. Joseph! And the suggestion that those who don’t have the best example of fatherhood in their own dads look to him.
He was a “righteous man” which means so much in Biblical terms. We should all aspire to be described in that way.
If he told good stories to the customers in his shop and to his family, I hope St. Joe and my dad, Tony, are sharing some good memories and some laughs. Thanks for this. And God bless your dad, JD!
Dear fellow Pillar readers, please keep my wife's family in your prayers. One of her aunts passed away yesterday afternoon after a lengthy struggle against colon cancer.
I thought this was a great reflection on St. Joseph. This line in particular really got me:
“I hope my dad is a lot like St. Joseph, because I hope the Lord had an earthly father as good as mine.”
Exactly!
Wow, checking out the list of Cardinals and Bishops on the Pontifical North American College's Wikipedia page is a veritable who's who of Pillar-mentioned clergy. Outside of the aforementioned '75ers, there's Monforton in '94, McElroy in '86, Dolan in '76, and Coyne in '86.
I'm almost a little surprised that I didn't see McCarrick's name on the list (he apparently attended St. Josephs Seminary in Yonkers and the Catholic University of America in D.C.).
Great reflection on St. Joseph, and also your dad. Very heartfelt and helpful. Thank you.
St. Joseph, Pillar of Families, pray for us!
Great post through and through. God bless your dad. St. Joseph, ora pro nobis!
Happy freakin' birthday Cardinal Cupich!
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Travis! What a guy!
The Most Rev. Provost is the bishop of a neighboring diocese. Because south Louisiana is such a small world, I'm pretty familiar with him. He's a wonderful pastor for his diocese.
There was a fun new hymn to St. Joseph released on New Liturgical Movement today: https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2024/03/a-contrafact-of-salve-regina-for-st.html in case anyone is interested :)