19 March, Wednesday, Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Liturgy of the Word — 2 Sm. 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; Ps. 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom. 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt. 1:16-18, 21, 24 or Lk. 2: 41-51.

Some notes on St. Joseph (Ref: Vatican News, 19 March 2022):

1. In the West, the oldest reference to the cult of St. Joseph that is connected with 19 March appears about the year 800 in the north of France. References to Joseph, Spouse of Mary, became more frequent from the 9th to the 14th centuries.

In the 12th century, the Crusaders built a church in his honor at Nazareth. In the 15th century, the cult of St. Joseph spread through the influence of St. Bernardine of Siena. His feast was officially established at Notre Dame of Paris. With Pope Sixtus IV's approval in 1480, the feast was set on March 19 and became obligatory with Pope Gregory XV in 1621.

In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church. Pope St. John XXIII inserted his name in the Roman Canon of Holy Mass, while Pope Francis added 7 new titles to the Litany of St. Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Exiles, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.

The Solemnity on 19 March is one of the few times during Lent when the Gloria is sung. However, the Alleluia is still not used.

2. Joseph placed himself at the service of God's plans of salvation, revealed to him in dreams. He cared for the Holy Family that God entrusted to him. He became an attentive servant from the moment of the Annunciation, a provident servant in caring for Mary and the Child in her womb. He protected the Family when King Herod wanted to kill the Child. He was a tender and loving father, teaching the child how to walk.

The Child experienced Joseph's fatherly love and tenderness. He absorbed his filial "submission" to God from Joseph, a man of faith, a "just man." Joseph was the Child's father "in the shadows," staying in the background so that his Son would emerge.

3. 1st Reading, 2 Sm. 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 — The Word of God through the prophet, Nathan, concerning the son of David. The Lord tells Nathan to prophesy to David. "I will raise up your offspring... and will establish his kingdom" (v. 12).

"He shall build a house for my name, and i will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me" (vv. 12-14). In the immediate historical context, the offspring refers to Solomon, David's son. But in view of the New Testament, the prophecy refers to Jesus, Son of David. "Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me" (v. 16).