Maybe in this Year of St. Joseph, we can follow his example of handing our problems over to God to hold until the sun rises. In the same way, in his dreams he had the apparition of an Angel telling him about escaping to Egypt, due to the imminent Slaughter of the Innocents, ordered by Herod to kill Jesus. The Holy Father has called us to join him in this beautiful devotion to Sleeping St. Joseph. Joseph was chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. Joseph is the careful and tender guardian of the family, the man, who welcomes and guards the mysteries of God, as he has consciously chosen to accept and protect Maria, the woman that God willed to be the holy and immaculate mother of his only Son . When we ignore their existence or say that males are no different from females, male risk taking and power have a tendency to rear their ugly head in destructive acts of violence. St. Joseph plans to quietly end their engagement, but then he has a dream in which an angel says: Joseph, Son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife into your home. When I have a problem or a difficulty, I write on a piece of paper and I put it under his statue so he can dream about it. Faith does not remove us from the world, but draws us more deeply into it. The Sleeping Saint Joseph helps us develop a closer intimacy with God and helps us discover the blessings of rest, for it is through rest that we are most open to receiving God in our lives. Renew or manage your subscription here. The angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph the dangers which threatened Jesus and Mary, forcing them to flee to Egypt and then to settle in Nazareth. I can still hear my mother and father report back to me from the parent-teacher conference they attended at my new elementary school. Pope Francis has long held a personal devotion to St. Joseph and he has long held a personal devotion to the sleeping St. Joseph. Later, Jesus will like giving names to his disciples, renaming Simon as Rocky, and John and James as the Sons of Thunder. But we know that it can also become distorted into workaholism or self-aggrandizement. Subscribe to our newsletter and geta10 VOUCHERfor your first purchase. I must care for my children; I have chores in the home; I am too tired even to sleep well. She cooperates with this higher will, and fulfills her mission, becomes fruitful, precisely through this cooperation. Planned Parenthood decision that at the heart of liberty is the right to define ones own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, of the mystery of human life. But there is a naivety in this. Amen! Reproduction of material from this website without written permission, or unlicensed commercial use or Why is Sleeping St Joseph so Important to Pope Francis, His devotion towards the putative father of Jesus has been remarked on 19 March 2013, only six days after his election as. I bought it for my husband right after we found out we were pregnant and put our first sonogram of our son underneath it, so St. Joseph would and will pray for our son as he sleeps. This is not reflective of any superiority of the male, or of a natural purpose of dominating females, but rather, of the males relative expendability. Our Catholic faith serves as the core of the business. A man who can do that and see its worth gains a sense of dignity that cannot be easily taken from him. Not frequently by any means, but every few years, I get a question from a young person as to whether a couple today would be supported by the Church in establishing a marriage that was never consummated, a marriage like that of Joseph and Mary. That role of bestowing identity continues after birth. He doesnt do it in a violent way. Most icons and statues of saints are, well, rather stiff. Please take my need (mention your request) into your heart, dream of it, and present it to your Son. There is much about us that we cannot control. This Saint is a merciful father that always helps those in need. And he was able to realize it non-violently. Males are never pregnant, and they do not nurse. He recognized a threat, and he removed his family from it, even though it required a brave and arduous journey. While the father doesnt make a conscious choice about this, the resulting sexual identity nevertheless reflects his particular biological contribution. Pope Francis shows the sleeping posture of the statue of St. Joseph he keeps on his desk while giving a talk during a meeting with families in Manila, Philippines, in this 2015 file photo. If he was as worried as Mary was, and he might have been, he remained silent. Fathers have an important role in bestowing identity to their children. Place the Sleeping St. Joseph statue figurine next to every bed or in a special place of your house.. Every night, write down a prayer to St. Joseph for the protection and health of your family, friends, and the world and place the note under the Sleeping St. Joseph Statue. Stay up to date about the latest articles, exclusive sales and inspiring stories of faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, God spoke to Joseph in his dreams four times. There is a lot to be learned from this man. This beautiful image can help us immolate the holy example of sleeping St. Joseph in our own lives. Their total continence is not something the Church holds up for literal and total imitation. This service appears in the gospels as both protection and labor. [4]Cf. When men show their children that they know how to enjoy their mothers company in intellectual conversations, heart to heart sharing, and good clean fun, when they model such chaste (not virginal, but chaste) intimacy with their wives, they lay the foundations for self-respect and respecting of others for their children, and open doors for them to the possibilities of life-giving love. Even today, in the private study of the Pope at Casa Santa Marta, there are two statues depicting the saint. The Church has consistently taught the perpetual virginity of Mary which means their union was never consummated. There are three aspects of this passage which I would ask you to consider: resting in the Lord, rising with Jesus and Mary, and being a prophetic voice. On my desk I have a statue of St Joseph sleeping. We must follow the example of St. Joseph and live our faith each and every day. About two years after my insomnia began, I stumbled upon a statue of St. Joseph in the foyer outside my spiritual directors office. It is a wooden statue, simple in the same way as the man depicted was himself, wrapped in his humble and true red robes. In the family we learn how to love, to forgive, to be generous and open, not closed and selfish. That kind of counsel makes me worry about worrying. The scene is rather foreign to our 21stcentury experience but it represents something very important. It is an unusual image for us, but very common among the Latin American faithful: a statue of St. Joseph sleeping. Josephs part of the exchange is fascinating to me. This sameethosis preserved in the Church hierarchy where one must be ordained a deacon, a servant, before one can exercise authority as a priest or bishop. Joseph and Mary were exceptional. In the Gospel passage we have just heard, we find Joseph resting not once, but twice. That is why families are so important in Gods plan for the Church! Farmers know this and so much of the meat we eat is male. We know that. Through this devotion, we join Pope Francis nightly prayer to St. Joseph to protect our loved ones and the world. It isnt possible to have a family without such dreams. or school. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. The answer is no. Yes, he can do it! . She said she liked the icon because it reminded her of the passages in the Bible about St. Josephs dreams and the Holy Familys flight to Egypt. The father is crucial at this moment because he is the first person outside the symbiotic mother child relationship to which the child can bond. 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Please take my need (, Sleeping Saint Joseph Statue in Argentina, Follow Pope Francis Devotion with a Sleeping Saint Joseph Statue, Expertly crafted Sleeping St. Joseph Statue, Highly Detailed Sleeping St. Joseph image, 7 Lessons Every Man Should Learn from St. Joseph, Joseph took the family on the flight into Egypt in order to escape Herod, St. Stephen the Martyr Patron Saint of Deacons. It seems to have a mind of its own. Amen. We learn to move beyond our own needs, to encounter others and share our lives with them. The Gospels recount that the Holy Family found themselves in some pretty terrifying situations at their outset: an arduous journey before Mary was to give birth; a delivery in a stable; and a flight into Egypt to escape a malevolent tyrant all colored their first years together. Thanks to the Holy Bible, we all know how important and fundamental has been the slumber for Saint Joseph. Joseph shows us the real purpose of work. [6]This hard working spirit is, again, nothing to be ashamed of. They dream of how they will be. 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. Even when St. Joseph is asleep, he is taking care of the Church! Pope Franciss description of the Sleeping St Joseph Statue. St. Joseph will extend his protection just as he protected the Holy Family during their times of struggle. And dont forget when the family prays together, it remains together. In the view of the Church, sex within marriage is one of the best created goods there is. This Saint is a merciful father that always helps those in need. St. Joseph exemplifies total submission to God in the midst of uncertainty. Of course, males can be overprotective, and this needs to be guarded against. (CNS/Paul Haring). A seventh lesson we can learn from St. Joseph is that manhood and fatherhood are about sacrificial service. Sleep was where St. Josephs fear became no match for his faith. St. Joseph, I love you. Joseph will not stand in the way. Instead he risked his life by removing Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Oh St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, A S Handicrafts Personalized Compass with Case Engraved 2.5" Brass Camping Compass Graduation Gift/Birthday Gift/Gift for Son/to My Son Gifts/Scripture Quote Direction Working Compass, Nautical Brass Sphere Engraved Armillary World Globe with Zodiac Engravings Antique Vintage Decorative Gift Prestige Gift for Office (3.5"), A S Handicrafts Brass Sundial Clock Leather Strape Stamped Wrist Compass Navigation. So, it takes some wisdom about when to protect and when to foster independence. You get it, I murmur in prayer when reading the accounts of that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. To each one of you and us because I too am the son of a family. I was struck by the image. As a symbol of his devotion, Pope Francis keeps in his office in Domus Sanctae Marthae two statues that represent this Saint. In todays world, the idea of identity being bestowed from outside, is threatening to many people. Thats the genius of fathers. We ought to embrace the fact that men have these gifts. He is not the only male who does this in the scriptures. Furthermore, they should keep an eye on the childs natural gifts and help the child to recognize their true self which leads the child to know his or her mission. They are asserting themselves as unique individuals. The phase of Lourdes, which was mostly under the sign of Mary, and the phase of Nevers, under the sign of Joseph., Archbishop Fishers previous criticisms of legal assisted suicide noted the prevalence of elder abuse and the alarming rates of suicide among the vulnerable.. Joseph, in naming Jesus, shows that he recognizes his sons purpose and mission. Many males define themselves, for good or ill, by their work. Those precious moments of repose, of resting with the Lord in prayer, are moments we might wish to prolong. He is a really special saint that protects and even helps while he is sleeping! They expect the icon will again pick up in popularity this year, which was declared by Pope Francis to be the Year of St. Joseph. Speaking to families during his 2015 visit to Manila, Pope Francis said of St. Joseph: Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the church! One of my favorite scenes in the Bible is the scene of Jesus as a twelve year old boy in the temple. Fatherhood requires intentionality, willed commitment. I would also like to tell you something very personal. There is no such thing as a maternity test. The first lesson we can learn from St. Joseph is that mission and the fathers role is a mission mission, whether we are male or female, begins in obedience. Resting in the Lord. Much of who we are comes from outside. The Sleeping Saint Joseph image and statue helps us develop a closer intimacy with God and helps us discover the blessings of rest, for it is through rest that we are most open to receiving God in our lives. But six years ago, during his trip to the Philippines, Pope Francis popularized a more life-like saint statue: that of St. Joseph, lying on his side, fast asleep. Sleep is pretty important to the functioning of the mind and body; going without it for long periods of time is definitely not recommended. Lately, my anxiety has manifested itself in insomnia, that cruel condition in which one either cannot fall or stay asleep. It is in the family that we first learn how to pray. Throughout the world hundreds of churches are named in honor of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church. 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. And it was during that sleep that God communicated to him how he was to protect and care for his family. After all, the Son does rise, making even the most worrisome things new. After the birth of Jesus, St. Joseph is warned in a dream to flee with his family to Egypt. St. Joseph is never quoted within the Bible, but as the father figure of Jesus we know he played an important role in the protection and raising of Jesus. I place in you all my interests and desires. He has become separated from Joseph and Mary. At the end of the day he can say to himself, this meant something. In mammalian species, males tend to be larger, stronger, have tougher hides, and bigger weapons like antlers and tusks. There is a likely evolutionary reason for this. It is important to dream in the family. While God doesnt normally speak to us so directly and in such a dramatic fashion, he very often speaks to us in times of silence. Dont ever lose the memory of when you were boyfriend or girlfriend. Mary stands before the Lord as a handmaid, as a servant, receptive to his will. May the Sleeping St Joseph statue remind us to listen to Gods call both in our wake and in our sleep. Objectively, I know that worrying will not ease her burden, nor will it help me to be a more supportive daughter. It is always less obvious. If the child is unsuccessful in this bonding with the father, he or she will often hold onto unhealthy dependence on the mother or mother figures throughout life. [3]Cf. For the Jews, it was a sign of their covenant with God. Archbishop Kurtz on March for Marriage: Sacrament is much more than "adult friendship", Look to Newman for an education in friendship, Catholic students told. Here Joseph was carrying out the very paternal role of protection. They should see their own responsibility as helping that child to know who they are, what it means to belong to this family, this church, etc. They give a child a place in the world and help them know their purpose and mission. When God speaks to you in your rest, you can trust His word and wake up from your sleep and respond to Gods call just as Joseph did in the Bible. Mother will always give an X. She said she also likes sleeping icons (she has a statue of baby Mary, asleep) because they seem sweeter and more peaceful. But like St. Joseph, once we have heard Gods voice, we must rise from our slumber; we must get up and act.. Its like inviting Joseph to sleep on it, and perhaps put in a word to God to solve difficult situations and help the needy, thus renewing his role as the merciful and protective father to those he loves. The sex depends on the chromosome from the father. 7)Fathers perform sacrificial service through Protection and Labor. Hes a strong man of silence. Walter Ong,Fighting For Life: Contest, Sexuality, and Consciousness(Cornell University Press, 1981). 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. Joseph's Studio by Roman - Sleeping St. Joseph Figure, Life of Christ, Renaissance Collection, 2.25" H and 8.25" W, Resin and Stone, Religious Gift, Decoration. This boy was doing what he needed to do, and the parents can no longer stand in the way. May the intercession of Sleeping St. Joseph and Gods grace bring amazing miracles to the world. John Paul II thought there was. It reminds you that St. Joseph was human and got tired, too, Huerta said. Many times Pope Francis told about his habit of putting underneath the Sleeping St Joseph statue some little notes with requests for grace and prayers of the faithful, trying to invite the Saint to sleep on it and put it a good word with God. A cocktail of genetics and lifes circumstances are at the root of my situation; good counsel and a supportive network have made it possible to manage. You were both silent and strong, a loyal and courageous protector. EWTN Religious Catalogue sells statues depicting St. Joseph sleeping. Each evening, write down your prayer request and your concerns. For this, Pope Leo XIII acclaimed him as defender of the holy family., There is an interesting thing about males. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the immaculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. But shes been nicknamed Worry Wart by some of the kids in the class. 3) Fathers help communicate identity. I also want to tell you something very personal. 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Pope Francis keeps this figurine next to his bed, and every night he places a note under the statue, praying to rid the world of sin. Did you dream of your husband or wife? Did you dream today of your parents, your grandparents who carried forward the family to me? One in particular is very dear to the Pope and has accompanied him since his life in the College Maximo San Miguel where he was rector. Thats what all the saying no is about. Copyright 2022 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved. Instead, its served as a great comfort to me when I find myself awake. That is why it is so important to pray as a family! Fathers are and always have been at a disadvantage here. People in these places had not come to the scientific understanding that there was a connection between conjugal relations and reproduction. This makes me appreciate the work he did for Mary and Jesus all the more. Yet the symbolic value of this picture is great. Megan Ward told the Register that she bought a sleeping St. Joseph icon for her husband after they found out she was pregnant. There, Joseph makes a sacrifice of two-turtle doves in accordance with the law (Lk 2:22-24). A spokesperson with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who sell a version of this statue in their online store, told the Register that they started carrying the statue in 2016, just after Pope Francis popularized this devotion. We remember how very early on, Jesus life was threatened and Joseph took the family on the flight into Egypt in order to escape Herod and his plan to murder the innocents (Mt 2:19-21). The nearly three decades since that conference have involved a tiresome effort to overcome (or at times ignore) a mind plagued by anxiety. Jesus talks about how he must be in his Fathers house, not his Mothers house. Thats why nature prefers males to be in the high risk situations. Maybe he sees that the path Jesus is taking requires him to be in this place and about his Father in heavens business, even if this whole process requires some letting go by the parents. God speaks to Joseph again when the threat has abated and it is safe for the Holy Family to return to their home in Nazareth. Terms of Service. [3]Whats the lesson for men today? Childhood psychologists know that infants dont really perceive much distinction between themselves and their mothers. SubscribeStart your Register subscription today. In June 2015, Catholic San Francisco reported that icons of the snoozing saint were flying off shelves in the Philippines and being brought back by travelers to the United States. It was a very beautiful scene of simple and profound devotion which has prompted many faithful Italians to follow the example of the Pope and to put a statue of St. Joseph sleeping in their house. Check out our Sleeping Saint Joseph statue.Use it at home to invite St Joseph to sleep on your notes. Visit https://bit.ly/3ko9Ydg or call (800) 854-6316. Before traveling to Iqaluit on Friday, the 85-year-old Pontiff gifted a statue of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus to the archbishops residence in Qubec City and St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta. print and digital media outlets, dedicated to reporting the truth in light of the Gospel and the Yup! I really like St. Joseph, because he is a strong and silent man. The devotion to the sleeping Saint Joseph has grown in popularity in recent years. When God speaks to you in your rest, you can trust His word and wake up from your sleep and respond to Gods call. But having got that out of the way, is there something to be imitated here? On June 30, at around 1:30 a.m., an individual threw a Molotov cocktail through a window at Hope Clinic for Women. Sexuality is easily one of the most complicated aspects of life and the sexual member is the most unruly part of the male body. While we sleep, St. Joseph will intercede for our prayer intentions and watch over our loved ones. Sons will repeat their fathers patterns, use and be used, and never discover the joys of true friendship with a woman. We recognize the value religious items provide in enriching one's faith life and strive to provide the highest quality religious products, at the best prices. The idea that we are finite beings with particular, given, contours that make us who we are can be mighty unpopular when those contours are perceived as fixed. Parts of the brain that have to do with territorial protection, aggression, and risk taking are bigger and more active in male brains. Children begin life inside their mothers bodies to which they are literally attached through an umbilical cord. Its according to these other forms of intimacy that John Paul II recognizes a true marriage between Joseph and Mary. St. Joseph is the husband of Mary and, for lack of a better term, the foster father of Jesus Christ. Its hard to discipline my imagination as it wanders through the course of her disease and our family life without her physically present in it. I would like to tell you something very personal. After this address, the statues of Sleeping St. Joseph saw an explosion in popularity. John Paul II, Apostolic ExhortationRedemptoris Custos,On the Person and Mission of St. Joseph in the Life of Christ and of the Church, n.4. He did not have to. Couples have to express openness to children in order to validly marry in the Catholic Church, and an inability to consummate can be grounds for annulment. That he will be faithful to us and will not abandon us, and at the same time that we ought to do whatever we can to cooperate with Gods righteous will even in this sometimes unruly part of our life. Home Christmas Sleeping Saint Joseph: Pope Francis patron saint.