Father's Day

The Solemnity of Saint Joseph presents an opportune moment to celebrate the virtues of fatherhood, which Joseph clearly expressed in his care for the Holy Family, and not only because he is my dad's patron saint, but because this is what society so greatly needs right now.

In his Third Method for praying the Rosary, St.Louis de Montfort composed the following prayer to be recited three times at the conclusion of the Sorrowful mysteries:

Hail Joseph the just,
Wisdom is with you;
blessed are you among all men
and blessed is Jesus,
the fruit of Mary, your faithful spouse.

Holy Joseph,
worthy foster-father of Jesus Christ,
pray for us sinners
and obtain divine Wisdom for us from God,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

I find it to be perfect foil to the Hail Mary, just as Joseph was the perfect complement to Her grace, as Bishop Fulton Sheen well attests.

Let us pray for men everywhere, that they may express true virility, gentility, and purity through the intercession of Saint Joseph. May all husbands be as devoted to their wives as Saint Joseph. May all fathers express the same love to their children as the Abba God has shown to them~ Amen!