The Year of Saint Joseph
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has dedicated 2021 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. While little is known about this saint, his virtuous actions speak volumes as the ideal “provider and protector.”
To celebrate the occasion, join us every Friday in March as the Shrine’s Vincentian priests delve into the life and personhood of St. Joseph in an intriguing series: “A Vincentian Approach to the Virtues of St. Joseph.”
St. Joseph Remembrance Packet
Includes Consecration to St. Joseph book, Memorare to St. Joseph Prayer Card, and a prayer candle lit for 1 year at St. Joseph Shrine. Purchase here.
A Vincentian Approach to the Virtues of St. Joseph
Fridays in March 5, March 12, March 19, and March 26, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST via Zoom
Presenters and Presentations:
March 5: Saint Joseph, the Just Man: A Faith-filled Path of Compassionate Courage
Click here to view recording.
Scripture cites few mentions or words of Joseph. However, from this silence we have the example of a just man determined to live his life and actions by the will of God, becoming a witness of compassionate courage. The “Guardian of Our Savior” shows us his righteousness as a life saturated in merciful love and a willingness to live fruitfully by placing the good of others as foremost. We find hope in this saint, who guides us through difficult times by his simple, yet profound, example.
Presenter: Fr. Joseph Fitzgerald, CM, is a native of Philadelphia. Since his ordination as a Vincentian of the Eastern Province (Congregation of the Mission) in 2005, he has been a missionary in Panama, where he lives and ministers amongst the indigenous Ngäbe people. Fr. Fitzgerald holds a doctorate in theology, which is focused on dialogue between the indigenous worldview and Catholic social teaching. He is currently the national coordinator of the indigenous ministry in Panama.
March 12: Saint Joseph, The Faithful Man: Husband, Father, and “Creature” of God
Register here by March 10
St. Joseph was faithful in his role as a “creature” before God, spouse to Mary, and earthly father to Jesus. He knew what it meant to be a “creature” of God, and he fulfilled that role by obeying God when He reached out to him through the angel, Gabriel, in a dream.
Presenter: Fr. Michael J. Shea, CM, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He was ordained in 1970 and spent his first 13 years teaching at St. Thomas More, West Catholic and Archbishop Wood High Schools in Philadelphia. The next 12 years were divided between Niagara University in Western New York and Auburn University in Alabama. In 2010, he served as the Director of a retreat house in Spring Lake, Michigan. He returned to Philadelphia in 2015 and currently serves as the Associate Director of The Miraculous Medal Shrine, while also conducting novenas and missions in and around Philadelphia.
March 19: St. Joseph, the Worker: Serving with Hands and Heart
Register here by March 17
On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, we turn our attention to this wonderful saint to whom the Lord entrusted the care of Mary and Jesus. By the work of his hands and heart, this carpenter provided a home and family for them. In this presentation, we will consider the dignity of work, and how Joseph exemplified this gift to Jesus in both word and example.
Presenter: Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, CM, a native of Brooklyn, New York, was ordained a Vincentian priest in 1979. Afterwards, he pursued a degree in Biblical Studies, taught at various universities and seminaries, and ministered in Rome and Paris for the Vincentian community. In 2014, Fr. Griffin returned to St. John’s University in New York as the Executive Director for the Vincentian Center for Church and Society.
March 26: St. Joseph, the Dreamer
Register here by March 24
God speaks to us in myriad ways. One way is through our dreams. Only in Matthew’s gospel do we explicitly see God revealing Himself to Joseph through numerous dreams. In this presentation, we will delve into those specific passages, and discover what we can learn about how Joseph responded.
Presenter: Fr. Patrick Flanagan, CM, grew up in Wantagh, Long Island, New York, where he first met the Vincentians, who came to his parish, St. Frances de Chantal, to celebrate Sunday Mass. After graduating from Niagara University in 1987 and the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in 1992, Fr. Flanagan was ordained an Eastern Province priest and missioned to Immaculate Conception parish in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. In 1994, he returned to his alma mater to serve as Campus Minister for four years. From 1998-2003, he studied at Loyola University Chicago while living with his confreres at DePaul University. Since then, he has been a faculty member in the Theology & Religious Studies Department at St. John’s University, where he teaches marketplace and biomedical ethics courses.