A painting of St. Joseph and Jesus is seen Nov. 15 as Pope Francis arrives for an audience at the Vatican. (Vatican Media / CNS)
By Anthony Selvanathan
Special to the Herald
During this Lenten season, the church takes a brief respite from our solemn journey to celebrate a saint who is known around the world by many titles: patron of the universal church, protector of the Holy Family, patron of workers, patron of fathers, “terror of demons,” protector of families and hope of the sick.
St. Joseph, whose feast we celebrate on March 19, stands as a powerful example of faith, humility and responsibility. As the protector of the Holy Family, Joseph’s life demonstrates that true strength is found in quiet service, trust in God and sacrificial love.
Though we do not know much about him, as the Scriptures don’t mention him often, his actions speak volumes about his commitment to God’s will and his dedication to his family.
For all of us, St. Joseph offers a model for spiritual leadership. In a world where true leadership can sometimes be misunderstood, St. Joseph shows that real strength lies in protecting and nurturing others through love, humility and service.
His life invites us to lead by example — serving our families, communities and workplaces with integrity, compassion and a deep sense of faith. His life was rooted in sacrifice and service; it is inspiration for us to engage in practices that strengthen our spiritual lives and help us grow closer to the Lord.
St. Joseph’s silence also is a powerful witness to the importance of listening, discernment and patience. His example teaches us that spiritual leadership often involves humble service and quiet sacrifice rather than grand gestures.
Just as St. Joseph trusted in God’s plan for his family, we are called to trust in God’s direction for our lives, drawing strength from the hope of eternal life and God’s faithfulness. Hope enables us to face challenges with courage, knowing that God’s grace will sustain us.
The ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. It is through hope that we find the strength to carry on, even in difficult times, and to trust that God’s plan for us is always unfolding, just as it did in St. Joseph’s life.
The celebration of St. Joseph’s feast day offers rich opportunities for all of us to embrace a spirituality rooted in faith, humility and hope. St. Joseph provides a model of strength through selfless service and trust in God’s will.
As we continue our Lenten journey during this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us strive to renew our spiritual lives and place our trust in God’s promises. By embracing these themes, we can grow in spiritual leadership — continuing to grow as people of faith, rooted in strength and hope.
Viriditas2: Soul Greening is on a temporary break.
