by Fr. Dan Cambra, MIC
In my recent travels giving parish missions, I've encountered groups who call themselves The Men of St. Joseph. I met them in Vermont and also in Mobile, Alabama, where the group has its headquarters.
I love seeing this. I love seeing men discovering — or rediscovering (whatever the case may be) — their traditional and indispensable role in their families, communities, and parishes. After all, we live in an age that's confused about manhood and masculinity. When we turn to St. Joseph as a model, our society stands to strengthen itself.
One mistake we make in our present age is to equate manhood simply with external traits, such as physical strength, aggression, and prowess. Another mistake is the feminization of manhood, whereby we discard and even disdain the distinctions that define true manhood.
If you want to see what true manhood looks like, look no further than St. Joseph. Societies crumble without men like him.
That's why I'm so pleased to meet men inspired by St. Joseph. These Catholic men feel driven to grow in their relationship with God, to be spiritual leaders in their homes, and to bring their families and themselves to Heaven. These are goals all men should embrace.
In our age, it becomes especially important to reaffirm the importance of men as spiritual leaders in their families. Scripture tells us that, just as Christ is the Head of the Church, so the father shall be head of his family, the domestic church. "But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ" (1 Cor 11:3).
Men need to take responsibility for providing for, protecting, and educating their children, just as St. Joseph provided for, protected, and educated Jesus in His masculine and human identity as a Jewish boy growing into manhood. Jesus eventually grew up to nurture and guide His apostles to become strong leaders, and as He did, He surely relied upon the example of His main human male role model, St. Joseph. Like St. Joseph, He knew that He needed to protect His apostles from the evil in the hearts of men, from the evil in the world, and even from the evil one himself, that they might grow into the full maturity of spiritual manhood, becoming good shepherds willing to lay down their lives for others.
Saint Joseph's example reminds us that a man's strength lies first and foremost in his faith. He stands surefooted in the conviction that "for God, all things are possible" (Mt 19:26). Saint Joseph modeled such manhood — of having character, courage, and self-discipline; of being a beacon of truth in a world of moral disarray.
What did St. Joseph originally want in life? We can safely assume that one thing he wanted was a bride who would provide him with many children. What did he get instead? A woman who would be a perpetual virgin, whose only Child wasn't his own, biologically. Did he walk away because it wasn't what he bargained for? No. He did what was necessary because he recognized it all as God's will.
In our age, we don't have enough such men. Many men no longer provide for their families. They are no longer the spiritual beacons. They don't pursue virtue. They abandon their responsibilities. They often use women merely to fulfill their physical desires or material needs. They shirk their responsibilities to educate their children. They fail in their ultimate obligation to bring their families and themselves to Heaven.
We need to pray for the men in our lives, that they embrace St. Joseph as their role model.
This month, let's turn to the prayer used by Men of St. Joseph.
The Men of St. Joseph Prayer
Saint Joseph, help me to be like you. Help me to be obedient to the teachings of the Church and faithful to God's commands. Help me to patiently endure my cross each day. Let me be a model of holiness and a pillar of virtue. I solemnly promise to embrace God's will and I accept the challenge to work tirelessly for my family's salvation. Be my guide and companion on this journey. Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, pray for us.
From MenOfStJoseph.com