St. Joseph- Model of Holiness for Workers

Rosary and mass celebration took place at the House of St. Joe on May 1st commemorating the Feast of St. Joseph-the worker and launching of the Marian Month.

During his homily, Fr. Dom explained that May 1st as Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 to coincide with the International Worker’s Day- a celebration of labour and workers’ rights. To counter the influence of communism- May Day as anti-religious and purely secular celebration, Pope Pius XII placed St Joseph a faithful worker as a model of holiness for workers; highlighting the sanctity of work and its value. St Joseph supported his family through his labour and passed on his trade of carpentry to Jesus.

In explaining further, Fr. Dom said the reading from Genesis1:26“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” reinforces the dignity and the responsibility of men.   He emphasised that since all of us are made in the image of God, we are called to treat one another with fairness and justice. As such, all workers deserve to be treated with respect and receive a just wage.

He said that St. Joseph is known as a powerful intercessor. When we ask for his intercession, we should do so with faith. As Scripture says:
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” — Matthew 21:22

Joseph kept himself busy and was mindful of his duties. We too should strive to stay active and be mindful of our duties and responsibilities. Fr. Dom added that it is good to have a hobby to keep us occupied. As Proverbs 16:27 warns, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.” When we are bored and restless, we become vulnerable to the traps of the evil one—we drift away from God and fall into gossip. SR