Introductory Tribute for my Mother Irène

On this day, March 19th, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph, spouse of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. This year, this date holds an even deeper meaning for me: it is also my mother, Irène’s, 96th birthday. Like Saint Joseph—a discreet but essential figure in the Gospel—my mother has shaped my life with her quiet strength, unwavering love, and deep faith. Both, in their own way, embody devotion, humility, and perseverance—qualities that may not always appear in grand narratives, yet silently transform the world around them.

While we know little about Saint Joseph from the Scriptures, tradition and other sources enrich his portrait: protector, worker, a man of trust and faith. Today, in honour of Saint Joseph, I also give thanks for my mother, Irène, whose life is a living example of these virtues. May this dual tribute inspire us to recognize the strength of daily gestures and the hidden greatness found in silent fidelity.

En ce jour du 19 mars, l’Église célèbre la fête de saint Joseph, époux de Marie et père terrestre de Jésus. Cette année, cette date revêt pour moi une signification encore plus profonde : c’est aussi le 96e anniversaire de ma mère, Irène. Comme saint Joseph, figure discrète mais essentielle de l’Évangile, ma mère a façonné ma vie par sa force tranquille, son amour inébranlable et sa foi profonde. Tous deux, à leur manière, incarnent le dévouement, l’humilité et la persévérance—qualités qui n’apparaissent pas toujours dans les grands récits, mais qui transforment silencieusement le monde qui les entoure.

Alors que nous savons peu de choses sur saint Joseph à travers les Écritures, la tradition et d’autres sources viennent enrichir son portrait : celui d’un protecteur, d’un travailleur, d’un homme de confiance et de foi. Aujourd’hui, en honorant saint Joseph, je rends aussi grâce pour ma mère Irène, dont la vie est un exemple vivant de ces vertus. Puisse ce double hommage nous inspirer à reconnaître la force des gestes quotidiens et la grandeur cachée dans la fidélité silencieuse.

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What Do We Know about St. Joseph?

Although the canonical Gospels offer only a few glimpses into the life of St. Joseph, tradition and other sources have sought to fill in the gaps about this remarkable figure.

From the Scriptures:

• St. Joseph is described as a “just” or “righteous” man (Matthew 1:19).
• He was a carpenter or skilled craftsman (Matthew 13:55), sometimes translated as “tekton,” which could mean builder or general contractor.
• He is presented as Mary’s spouse and the earthly guardian of Jesus.
• Joseph receives guidance in dreams (Matthew 1–2), showing his openness to God’s will.
• He protects his family by fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath.

From the Apocrypha:

• Several apocryphal texts, such as the Protoevangelium of James (2nd century), the Gospel of the Infancy, and others, offer additional (though non-canonical) stories about Joseph’s life and relationship to Mary and Jesus.
• In these texts, Joseph is sometimes depicted as an older widower, chosen by divine sign to be Mary’s husband.
• They portray Joseph as humble, protective, and deeply reverent toward the mystery of Christ’s birth.

From Tradition and Documentaries:

• Over the centuries, devotion to St. Joseph has grown, especially as a model for fathers, workers, and those who serve quietly behind the scenes.
• Modern documentaries and Catholic scholarship often emphasize his role as a protector, provider, and man of faith, highlighting the dignity of ordinary work and family life.
• St. Joseph is also the patron of the universal Church, a title bestowed by Pope Pius IX in 1870.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 | SOLEMNITY
JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY
YEARS ABC | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

          First Reading           2 Samuel 7:4–5a, 12–14a, 16
          Response                Psalm 89:37
          Psalm                   Psalm 89:2–5, 27, 29
          Second Reading          Romans 4:13, 16–18, 22
          Gospel Acclamation      Psalm 84:5
          Gospel                  Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a or Luke 2:41–51a

Anon. 2009. Catholic Daily Readings. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.

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