By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
Believe it or not, Father’s Day wasn’t recognized as a national holiday until 1966. History states that two women were the driving forces behind the establishment of Father’s Day as an official holiday.
In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton suggested a day of paternal observance to her Methodist pastor. Clayton’s request following a tragic West Virginia mine explosion sought to honor the fathers who perished in the blast.
Two years later, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington — inspired by the popularity of Mother’s Day — pushed to establish a similar holiday honoring fathers. She sought to remember the selfless actions of her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, who raised Sonora and her five siblings after his wife died.
The holiday was first celebrated on June 19, 1910.
Today, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. A celebration in honor of all fathers, we are called to give thanks to the men who raised us, provided us with protection and support, and patiently watched as we stretched our wings for flight.
Fathers are beloved for their silent wisdom. They are the strong embrace to whom daughters run when in fear or sorrow, the righteous shoes sons attempt to fill when approaching manhood and the unending catalogue of answers to some of life’s hardest questions.
A parish priest once likened fathers to the human skeleton — fundamental yet often forgotten. Just as we rarely notice the stabilizing existence of our backbones, without the guidance of fathers and father figures, we would lack the poise and dignity we carry because of their presence.
Consider the importance of Christ’s earthly father, St. Joseph. When contemplating the Holy Family, St. Joseph doesn’t hold the celebrity status of Jesus and Mary. Catholics everywhere hold special devotions to Mary, but what about St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse?
Sadly, St. Joseph often stands in the shadows of his wife and child. But isn’t that what fathers are supposed to do?
A good dad provides his children with the tools they need to succeed in life, then steps aside, hoping and praying they will lead better lives than his own. A good dad honors his wife and encourages her to shine in the virtue of her own femininity. A good dad follows in the footsteps of St. Joseph.
This Father’s Day, as you rush to your nearby hardware store to grab your dad a gift certificate, consider the relationship between Christ and St. Joseph.
Cherish the silent love that fathers hold for their children. Understand the honor that fathers deserve and recognize the blessed nature of their guidance and leadership.
Above: A statue of St. Joseph and the Christ Child is seen in a file photo St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal in Montreal. (OSV News photo/Bob Mullen)