St. Joseph’s Way of the Cross
“To give life to someone is the greatest of all gifts. To save a life is the next. Who gave life to Jesus? It was Mary. Who saved his life? It was Joseph. Ask St. Paul who persecuted him. Ask St. Peter who denied him. Ask all the saints who put him to death. But if we ask, ‘Who saved his life?’ Be silent, patriarchs, be silent, prophets, be silent, apostles, confessors, and martyrs. Let St. Joseph speak, for this honor is his alone; he alone is the savior of his Savior” (Blessed William Joseph Chaminade).
“I Thirst”: Using Our Gifts to Quench Christ’s Thirst
In a message by Pope St. John Paul II for Lent 1993, the great pope called the Church to reflect on Jesus’ words, “I thirst” (John 19:28) and “Give me a drink” (John 4:7). In these words, he wrote, ‘we hear a cry from the poor, especially those who did not have access to clean water’. In a subsequent letter to the Missionaries of Charity, St. Teresa of Calcutta (then simply known as Mother Teresa) elaborated on this message:
“‘I thirst’ is something much deeper than Jesus just saying ‘I love you.’ Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you — you can’t begin to know who He wants to be [for] you. Or who He wants you to be for Him.”
This Lent, Catholic Women in Business invites you to reflect with us on how Jesus thirsts for each one of us and how we can quench His thirst — through prayer, through sacrifice, through loving His children who are most in need (and there are so many this Lent in particular!). In our content this season, we’ll be exploring how, as Catholic professionals, we can begin to understand “who He wants to be” for us, “who He wants [us] to be for Him,” and how we can share His great love for us all with everyone we encounter.
There is an element of Lent that makes all the difference between a liturgical season and ordinary time: The crucifixion of Jesus Christ shows us the stark realities of the plan that God established for us. Throughout the many opportunities we have to experience this walk with Christ, we’ve seen countless renditions of Mary’s walk to Calvary and the journey of his apostles and many others.
Since we are in the Year of St. Joseph, I couldn't help but wonder what St. Joseph’s walk would have been with Jesus. There is no concrete evidence that states that Joseph died before the crucifixion, but the Bible does not mention him after the accounts of finding Jesus in the temple as a boy. St. Joseph is known as the protector, provider, and caretaker of the Holy Family; how could Jesus have benefited from having this powerful male influence in his life as he walked toward his destiny?
Jesus Is Condemned to Die
“We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world” (Stations of the Cross).
We can only wonder what St. Joseph's heart would have experienced when he discovered the truth that Jesus would be crucified. As he pondered on the meaning of this destiny, his thoughts might have turned to Mary. As her protector and caretaker, how could he make sure her heart was guarded from the inevitable pain that she knew she had to experience? What could St. Joseph have said to soothe Mary and support her in this will for her life? How deeply would Mary have yearned for the presence of St. Joseph throughout the trial of Jesus’ crucifixion?
St. Joseph brought a strength to his fatherhood that he could only have found through the power of his faith. What do we do when we feel the need for Christ? How has the spiritual Father shown up to guide your moments of despair and darkness?
I began my 2021 reading “Consecration to St. Joseph,” by Father Donald Calloway. Upon completing the consecration, the material that stood out the most to me was the immense qualities and attributes St. Joseph held as a man. How would these elements of Joseph’s faith played out on his walk with Jesus to Calvary?
As we walk with Jesus on the journey to Holy Week and, ultimately, his resurrection, I find myself seeking the guidance of St. Joseph and the clarity he brings. I look for the same peace, humility, prudence, and bravery that he brought to the Holy Family throughout his time with Jesus. Surrender and obedience may not have come easily to St. Joseph, even at the beginning: After contemplating divorce from Mary, he came to his decision: saying “yes” to God’s will.
If St. Joseph were at the foot of the cross on that first Good Friday, he surely would have presented to Jesus a level of peace and stillness that God desires us all to have. He can be an example of hope and grace to each person he comes across even now. As St. Joseph would have traveled through the actual stations of the cross, his quiet strength and authentic masculinity would have been a support to Mary and a source of comfort to Jesus.
What is God waiting for you to say “yes” to in your life? This Lent, may we all develop a more substantial faith and freedom, as Joseph did when he said “yes” to God’s plan for his life.
Litany of St. Joseph
Retrieved from the Oblates of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God, pray for us.
Watchful defender of Christ, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph most just, pray for us.
Joseph most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph most valiant, pray for us.
Joseph most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model of workmen, pray for us.
Glory of home life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Solace of the afflicted, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us!
V. He made him the lord of His household,
R. And prince over all His possessions.
Let Us Pray
O God, Who in Thine ineffable Providence didst vouchsafe to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our intercessor in Heaven. Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Marissa Marguerite Lenon resides in Los Angeles, CA. She works as the philanthropy and retail manager for Kendra Scott Jewelry. She currently serves as the Los Angeles chapter president for Young Catholic Professionals and facilitates marketing, branding, and writing for Seeking Excellence, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Connect with Marissa on Instagram @bellemarissa_xoxo, or send her an email at marissa@thosewhoseek.org.