A depiction of St. Joseph cradling the infant Jesus while Mary sleeps is seen in a stained-glass window at St. Patrick Church in Smithtown, N.Y. The invitation to move outside of the self to the other is the divine pedagogy of fatherhood. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
This is the Year of St. Joseph. To mark the 150th anniversary of the foster father of Jesus being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed the yearlong celebration in a Dec. 8, 2020, apostolic letter, “Patris Corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”).
The pope wrote that Christians can discover in St. Joseph “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence — an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.”
“St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation,” Pope Francis said.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet are Hawaii’s only religious congregation to have St. Joseph as a patron. For these women, the saint is more than a label; he is a model and inspiration of a quiet and hard-working sanctity and of an adaptable domestic love.
Like Joseph, the sisters serve God through dreams, in obedience, in accepting travel to other places, and in daily simple, silent ways.
Here are the thoughts of some of Hawaii’s Sisters of St. Joseph, commemorating the year of their patron, which ends Dec. 8.
Saint of ‘Plan B’
By Sister Roselani Enomoto, CSJ
As a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, I am delighted with the idea of a whole year of celebrating our dear protector. We are called to live in sincere charity in the manner of St. Joseph whose name we bear.
We are called to contemplate Joseph’s ability to adapt to whatever God wanted of him. Continually having to change his plans: go to Bethlehem for the census; escape with Jesus and Mary to Egypt; go to live in the town of Nazareth; interrupt his trip to return to Jerusalem to look for his lost son; and all the other times of which we don’t know!
I’ve always admired Joseph for his ability to adapt to so many challenges in his life, and I can only come to one conclusion — his faith in the goodwill of God was profound. Joseph knew without a doubt in his heart that God would always lead him on the right path.
Joseph can be called the “Patron of Adaptation” or the “Saint of Plan B”! Let us pray to Joseph for the grace of “adaptation” in our own lives.
When faced with having to change our plans, may we “adapt” as gracefully — and filled with as much grace — as Joseph did as one who opened himself to God’s ways.
God’s plan was bigger
By Sister Eva Joseph Mesina, CSJ
One could say that St. Joseph has a double influence in my life as a religious: my religious congregation is dedicated to Joseph and Joseph is my personal patron saint.
I can personally relate to Joseph. He had plans for his and Mary’s life. I had plans for mine. But God, in both cases, had a bigger plan. And like Joseph, I immediately followed God’s plan. In both cases we ended up serving the church — Joseph serving the infant church of Mary and Jesus; and I serving the church of today.
Not much is said of Joseph, but I suspect Jesus and Mary thrived under his protection. What impresses me most was his ability and willingness to listen to God. I try to do that. There have been many instances when I have been aware of God’s presence. Often it’s just a gentle push, an awareness to do or say such and such. God has a way of putting in my way persons who need a compassionate smile or word or silent support. And, like Joseph, I find the courage to respond, trusting God’s wisdom.
Jesuit Father Marius Nepper, who helped the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet translate our founding documents, wrote the following “Portrait of a Daughter of St. Joseph.”
“Eyes open, ears attentive, spirit alert, never settled down, always in disquietude, searching in order to understand, to divine what God and the dear neighbor await from her, today, now, for the body and for the soul; sleeves rolled up for ministry.”
This, I believe, was also the core of Joseph’s faith life and I aspire to this in my small way as his daughter.
Someone to listen
By Sister Mary K. Dugar, CSJ
In the Gospels, we are presented with a St. Joseph who is older, quiet, and “in the shadows,” among other characteristics. The silent and retiring man is perhaps reflected in the fact that not one word of Joseph’s is recorded for us. Perhaps no longer feeling the vigor of his youth, he has learned the strength found in just “being,” as well as doing.
As someone who had a business, he had learned over the years the importance of listening to those who came to him for his services, a presence and attention to their needs being more important than lots of chatter.
As I, too, age, being available to others as more of a listener and less of a “doer” seems the correct state to be in. I do not feel the pressure to be active constantly at this time. Contacting and reaching out to others, hearing the concerns of those who reach out to me, letting them know that I am here if they need someone to listen, is my being inspired by St. Joseph daily.
My father and guide
By Sister Jean Larm, CSJ
As a Sister of St. Joseph, I naturally look to Joseph, our patron, for inspiration and modeling. There are so many facets to Joseph. Being a teacher, I get my inspiration from Joseph teaching his young son Jesus. I tried to teach with caring, compassion and patience, to instill a love of God and love of neighbor in each child.
I am now retired, so my inspiration is Joseph’s loving care of Jesus and Mary. I try to do what I imagine Joseph did for Jesus and Mary: provide for them. Thus, I try to provide what is needed to keep the household running smoothly and the atmosphere bright and cheerful. I decorate using the religious and seasonal changes and holidays as themes. Flower arrangements are created to brighten up a room and to perk up our spirits.
For others, I offer a welcoming greeting and hospitality. Joseph continues to be “my father and guide” in my life as a Sister of St. Joseph.
Model and inspiration
By Sister Brenda Lau, CSJ
Joseph as a dreamer listened to the messages that came to him in his dreams. Like Joseph, the call to become a Sister of St. Joseph was part of my dream as I first became aware, at 9 years old, that I wanted to become a sister like the Sisters of St. Joseph, who would teach me through my elementary school years and later nurture me throughout my high school years.
Like Joseph, who left home when needed, I discovered to become a Sister of St. Joseph I needed to leave my home in Hawaii to pursue my call. Eight years later, like Joseph, I returned home to minister in Hawaii.
In Hawaii, I have been challenged by a variety of ministries: to children, families and others. Joseph’s quiet inner strength allowed me to serve in elementary education with children, with fellow educators in administrative positions, with women in shelters who needed support, in parishes and among seniors seeking assistance.
St. Joseph remains my model and inspiration as I continue to respond to the needs of our “dear neighbors” in my senior years.
Sleeves rolled up
By Sister Francine Costello, CSJ
Years ago, in my formation years, one phrase stands out in my memory describing a Sister of St. Joseph: “Sleeves rolled up, ready to serve.”
“Ready to serve” can be an easy resolve. It seems a mere external, public action. How did Joseph, “with sleeves rolled up ready to serve,” respond to God, to Mary, to the leaders? This is when he, in “silence,” turned to God in deep conversation and dialog to truly hear the call that was not in his plan. Though he may not have understood the call, in the evolving steps of his response, Joseph grew in knowledge of the depth of God’s will: his relationship with Mary as spouse and the Child Jesus under his human fatherhood.
Love, in prayerful discernment, was the response then and now, as love urges me to roll up my sleeves: a phone call to a cousin, widowed and quarantined at home grieving, to talk story about her and our remembrance of him; visiting with a South American family wanting to talk in their own language; driving sisters to their medical appointments; weekly sitting a grandniece while family members work; participating in province Zoom calls for community prayers, remembrances of deceased sisters, assemblies; visits to and from friends sharing blessings, delights, pains, concerns.
For each interaction, there is gratitude to God for love mutually received and exchanged.
‘Go to Joseph’
By Sister Marcelina Felipe, CSJ
I attended Holy Rosary Grade School in Paia, Maui, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, who instilled in me a love for their patron. “Go to Joseph,” they would say, when you needed help!
St. Joseph had been my inspiration all my religious life, which marks 60 years this year. St. Joseph had a hidden life of silence and solitude. I would spend my Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament in silence. I believe St. Joseph’s prayer life was simple.
Another special gift of St. Joseph was that of healer. I had the opportunity to see on the walls of St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal evidence of the miracles of healing that people left behind. In my healing ministry, I share my gift of massage and healing touch for my friends who need it.
St. Joseph was also a dreamer. He listened to the angel and followed his dreams, taking Mary into his home and traveling with Mary and Jesus to a foreign country. I also had a dream. At an early age, I wanted to be a missionary to China. When our CSJ community asked for missionaries to Chile, I volunteered and fulfilled my dream in that South American country for almost 20 years.
The Spirit of St. Joseph inspired me to be prayerful, humble, gentle and loving to our dear neighbor without distinction. As a catechist for parents, I encourage them to “Go to Joseph” in family prayer time.
In my local community, every Wednesday is devoted to our patron for vocations. We pray, fast and sing a hymn to Joseph. We deepen our love and devotion to St. Joseph, patron of the universal church and guardian of families.
Saying ‘yes’ to God’s will
By Sister Angela Laurenzo, CSJ
As a Sister of St. Joseph for almost 60 years, I am inspired by St. Joseph’s “Fiat.” Mary said her “Yes” or” Fiat” to God to become Jesus’s mother; so did St. Joseph say his “Fiat” to God!
When the angel spoke to Joseph in dreams, we know he said his “Yes.” His obedience to God is an example of complete and free submission to the Father’s will.
There are many “Yeses” the Sisters of St. Joseph say to God daily. We too try to give our free submission to God’s will.
I remember when I was a young sister, I was sent to prepare food trays for our sisters in the infirmity. Some sisters were on salt-free diets and some had diabetes. I know nothing about cooking and I don’t like to cook. I was sure that when a sister died, I had given her the wrong tray. I said my “Yes” to Jesus and said you and I can do this. So “Yes” to all that we can do for God!
Jesus’ first teacher
By Sister Sara Sanders, CSJ
As a Jewish father, it was Joseph’s responsibility to teach his son the skills he would need in the future. More importantly, it was to teach him how to be a good Jew; how a man of the Chosen People related to his God. Joseph, along with Mary, was Jesus’ first teacher.
The Sisters of St. Joseph allowed me to fulfill a childhood dream — to become a teacher. I spent 45 years in the ministry of education on the elementary, high school and adult education levels.
As a teacher, I worked to help students gain information and skills for life. As a science teacher, I tried to help them develop a sense of awe as they discovered the beauties and intricacies of creation and encouraged them to allow creation to proclaim the wonders of the Creator.
Joseph must have been proud of his son as he grew into manhood. I am also proud of all “my kids” as I see how they have grown into adulthood and share the values their parents and I tried to instill in them.
