Affirm the work you’ve done this year
May 1 is a celebration of St. Joseph as a diligent and patient worker, and particularly as the provider of the Holy Family, teacher of Jesus, and patron of the unemployed and of laborers.
His feast day is about honoring the dignity of human work.
Whatever work you have done this year, whether it was paid or not, take some time today to reflect on all the good things you’ve done!
Reflect:
What work are you most proud of this year?
What was the hardest thing you’ve done this year that really pushed you?
What life dreams would you like to cultivate this year?
Celebrate: Treat yourself to something today!
Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash
Honor and pray for the men in your life
Write a list of all of the men throughout your life that have impacted you in a positive way. (Whether they be your father, uncles, spiritual fathers, grandparents, etc)
Pick three men to affirm especially today with a text or handwritten note. Say a prayer for them.
Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash
REST LIKE JOSEPH
“Joseph’s rest revealed God’s will to him.” - Pope Francis
Pope Francis has a special devotion to Sleeping St. Joseph.
“The Scriptures seldom speak of St. Joseph, but when they do, we often find him resting, as an angel reveals God’s will to him in his dreams,” Pope Francis said. “Joseph’s rest revealed God’s will to him. In this moment of rest in the Lord, as we pause from our many daily obligations and activities, God is also speaking to us.”
Choose to do something today that brings you rest. Decide a time you will end your work for the day (including house work). Rest. (Maybe even take a nap!)
Photo by Benjamin Zanatta on Unsplash
SUPPORT A SMALL BUSINESS YOU LOVE
Because St. Joseph was a local small business carpenter in Nazareth!
Is there a small business (or two? Or three?) that you really admire? Small businesses have taken an extra hard hit this past year.
Here are some ways you can support your favorite small businesses to help them continue doing amazing things:
1. Share & Engage on Social Media
It’s free!
When they post, make an extra point to LIKE, SAVE, COMMENT (it only takes a moment but it really does so much to help small businesses!)
Go the extra mile and SHARE the content you love with your friends.
2. Prioritize shopping small & local Think of ways you can change how you shop. For birthdays and special occasions, consider purchasing something unique from a small or local business.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
PRAY THE ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER PRAYER
Joseph, by the work of your hands and the sweat of your brow, you supported Jesus and Mary, and had the Son of God as your fellow worker. Teach me to work as you did, with patience and perseverance, for God and for those whom God has given me to support.
Teach me to see in my fellow workers the Christ who desires to be in them, that I may always be charitable and forbearing towards all. Grant me to look upon work with the eyes of faith, so that I shall recognize in it my share in God’s own creative activity and in Christ’s work of our redemption, and so take pride in it. When it is pleasant and productive, remind me to give thanks to God for it. And when it is burdensome, teach me to offer it to God, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the world.
Purchase our gorgeous, hand lettered and letter pressed Saint Joseph Prayer here.
Photo by Saint John's Seminary on Unsplash
CELEBRATE SIMPLY WITH YOUR FAMILY OR ROOMMATES
FOR FAMILIES WITH LITTLES
- Play with blocks / lincoln logs and talk about St. Joseph the Carpenter.
- At snack time, build with pretzel sticks
- Help your children write a sentence about builders they are thankful for: Firefighters (safe spaces), Architects (buildings), Priests (holy communities), Teachers (smart communities)
FOR FAMILIES WITH OLDER CHILDREN
Since St. Joseph is the patron Saint of the unemployed, families with older children can spend time volunteering at shelters / soup kitchens / local charities to help those in need
FOR ADULTS
- Read up on other Catholics who famously valued work (Example: Dorothy Day and her involvement with the Catholic Worker Movement)
- Donate your underused work clothing to local organizations that help provide professional outfits unemployed workers going to job applications
- Support Brother Andre's Cafe with a coffee subscription - your purchase goes toward a Catholic-based coffee shop providing employment opportunities for adults living with IDD in PA
Husband to Mary, foster father of jesus, Carpenter
Saint Joseph is a wonderful role model for little ones and grown ups alike!