Saint Joseph is husband to Mary, foster father to Jesus, a worker, and patron and intercessor for us all.

Pray:

Wednesday, March 19, is the Solemnity of St. Joseph. Consider adding this special prayer to your meal time grace:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.

Eat: 

This week, we celebrate two very popular Saints’ feast days -- Saint Patrick on March 17 and St. Joseph on March 19. Many American families claim to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day and have family traditions celebrating the day. Did you know that many Italian families celebrate Saint Joseph's Day with just as much enthusiasm? 

Plan for a supper of Italian fare on Wednesday, March19. Start or continue a new family tradition. 

Saint Joseph was a carpenter, and within Italy, pasta dishes that incorporate breadcrumbs are very popular on this day. The breadcrumbs symbolize the sawdust that would have been on the floor of Saint Joseph's workshop. 

Breadcrumbs are a sensory reminder of Joseph's very real and very good work as the foster father of Jesus. Sharing a meal with breadcrumbs also provides an opportunity to talk about gratitude for workers in our community and to encourage young people to think about careers in the trades for their own futures.

Recipe: Here is a link to a simple, traditional Pasta dish featuring breadcrumbs:

orderisda.org/culture/our-recipes/authentic-st-josephs-day-pasta/.

Do:

Sometime during this week of the feast of Saint Joseph, visit the St. Joseph side altar in the church. Bring some coins or a couple of dollars and allow children to make a contribution to the votive candle collection, then assist them in lighting a candle. Explain how lit candles are visible signs of our prayers. Together, recall the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and workers that you know; ask God to bless them.