Feast Of St. Joseph The Worker

The first of May is known as Labour Day or May Day. On May 1st, 1955, Pope Pius IX established the Feast of St. Joseph The Worker. In his address, he explained that St. Joseph exemplified the dignity of human labor in everyday life.

The Holy Family lived a simple and ordinary life, with Jesus being referred to as the Carpenter’s son. Sanctity and holiness do not require extraordinary actions, but rather the practice of virtues in daily life.

Unfortunately, many workplaces today are plagued by fraud, bribery, corruption, oppression and other harmful practices that do not dignify human labor. Our virtues shape our habits, and our habits form our character.

St. Joseph serves as a model of great virtue, being humble, just and hardworking. He is the guardian of the Redeemer and a man of great silence, modest even in the ordinary aspects of life.

St. Joseph loved his family deeply and tirelessly sought the interests of Jesus and Mary. He serves as a model and intercessor for us when we struggle to practice virtues in our ordinary lives.

When we feel like giving up or when sin becomes our worldview, we can turn to St. Joseph for help and receive the grace to practice virtues and be successful in our endeavors.

The readings today remind us that we are all interconnected as members of the same vine. By remaining attached to the vine, we grow and produce fruit that benefits the community. There are no separate vines for gender, race, or nationality; God’s love is the same for all of us.

We should support and encourage each other, even when pruning is necessary. Diseased branches and wild shoots drain life from the vine, so unhealthy growth must be removed while good growth is encouraged. Pruning can be painful, but we must trust that God the vine grower has a plan for us.

Therefore, we must continue to carry on the mission and work of God. We can make that mission successful when we put God first in our lives. This is how the labor of our hands becomes dignified, and how we begin to practice a holy and moral life. Like St. Joseph, we should be open to the Holy Spirit and seek guidance through prayer before making decisions.

May St. Joseph continue to intercede for us. Amen.

Happy Feast of St. Joseph!
Happy Worker’s Day!
Happy New Month of May!

Fr Joseph Osho