St Joseph the Worker

We honor today St Joseph, foster father of Jesus. His liturgical feast is actually celebrated on March 19th, but today we honor him as the patron of workers. Renowned to be a carpenter, Joseph taught the tricks of the trade to his son Jesus, and people invoke his prayers when searching for a job or looking for work. May Day celebrations are held around the world, especially in communist countries, but the Church emphasizes the image of Joseph as the patron of all those who work. Through his intercession, may those who are unemployed find adequate jobs to make a living to support their families. It has become a tradition for me to invite the parishioners to bring their tools, equipment and objects that remind them of their work or career, and they place them on a table, and which I will bless at the end of Mass. Just this morning at my parish Mass I had people bring note books, an cloth iron, pens, knitting stuff, a cane, scissors, a set of playing darts and I even placed my chalice in their midst.