Issue link: http://archden.uberflip.com/i/1366114
13 ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER | THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph has been an inspi- ration to me because he was a "stepfather" to Jesus. He treated Jesus as his earthly son. He fed and clothed Him and he taught Him his trade of being a carpenter. St. Joseph loved Jesus as his own flesh and blood. I too am a stepparent. I raised three stepsons. I did my best to show them how to be loving and kind and how to be Christlike. Whenever I felt like I was failing as a mother I would ask for St. Joseph's guidance. He gave me peace and encouragement. - ANN MARIE J. St. Joseph is completely silent in the New Testament. Although it seems like God threw him a few curveballs, he silently obeyed. Even Moses had "conversations" with God. St. Joseph did not. Without comment, without argument, St. Joseph did God's will. I pray to St. Joseph every day for help in becoming a better hus- band and father (and I need a lot of help!). - PETE K., REDMOND, WA As a man, sometimes I need someone to talk to about how I'm feeling. I don't want to say anything disparaging to any of my friends/family about my wife, but I need to express what I'm going through or thinking. This is where St. Joseph comes in for me. I can talk to him about anything, as he understands being married and some of the challenges that it brings. Thank you, St. Joseph, for listening and thank you Jesus for your example of how to love others. - DAVID G. St. Joseph took on his responsibilities of father- hood simply by relying on FAITH. St. Joseph's faith was based upon his BELIEF that all which was revealed to him and Mary was through DIVINE revelations from God our Father. St. Joseph's faith inspires me in my BELIEF AND FAITH in the one and same true God. I also have been blessed with fatherhood and I proudly take on this responsibility to my last breath of this earthly life. - DAVID N. Shortly after I entered the Church in the 80's, I found in the back of our missalette the prayer by St. Pope Pius X to Saint Joseph the worker ("...obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance..."). I liked it so much that it became my daily prayer. I have long since memorized it. This prayer to St. Joseph has been a constant guide in my further spiritual development. - DAVID P., BOULDER, CO The Saint of All Saints! The Terror of Demons! Learning to be prayerfully "lost in the litany" of St. Joseph has made our family life complete. I feel as if the whole treasury of our beautiful faith and Holy Catholic Church is amplified, and has been missing for so long, the full figure of St. Joseph. We've watched St. Joseph work so quickly in our lives. I am so thankful to know him more and his vital role in the Holy Family; his vital role in the hearts of our world. Ite Ad Joseph! - JACLYN, FORT COLLINS