TRUMBULL—As Catholics worldwide begin the observance of the Year of St. Joseph, a group of local parishioners gathered weekly in preparation for a special consecration to this Patron of the Universal Church.
Father Terrence Walsh, pastor of Christ the King Church in Trumbull, organized this prayer group around Father Donald H. Calloway’s text “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” with the hope that his participants would grow in their love and devotion to this saint.
“Joseph is our spiritual father, a role model who intercedes for us,” said Father Walsh. “He has a real effect on our lives and helps to orient our spiritual well-being.”
When someone is “consecrated to St. Joseph,” Father Walsh said, they make a special commitment to him, entrusting themselves entirely to his care as he leads them to God. “You have to want that consecration. It’s an act of will. It’s like saying to him, ‘You’re the boss!’” Father Walsh added.
With the Solemnity of St. Joseph falling close to Easter, many participants, including JoAnn Zimmerman, said this prayer group was an ideal Lenten observance and would aid in centering them in their spiritual life. “I decided that this would be a wonderful way to spend this season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter,” said Zimmerman, a parishioner at Christ the King.
To better understand the presence of St. Joseph’s paternal love, the 25 members of this group have followed the “33-Day Preparation” outlined in Father Calloway’s book. This includes short daily readings of commentary from the author, scripture passages, and inspirational words from other saints, ending with the Litany of St. Joseph. During the Monday evening meetings on Zoom, Father Walsh begins by sharing his observations and interpretations of the readings, interspersed with personal anecdotes, and then opens the conversation for participants to offer their own comments, some serious, some emotional but always unique, as every person seems to have their own reason for the saint’s importance in their lives.
“The book reads like a treasure trove of stories surrounding this most silent saint,” Gina Cosgrove, a member of the group, said of the text. “He is the perfect saint to befriend us, whatever our situation. I’m just beginning to appreciate what a marvelous spiritual father we have in St. Joseph.”
Father Walsh said he enjoys the “beautiful camaraderie” the participants have as they look to live out their faith and help one another. “Everyone is interested in growing in their knowledge and love. We could talk for hours!” he said, noting how quickly the 60-minute sessions fly by. “We all have the joy of the same mind and purpose. This group reminds me of coming together and breaking bread as a family.”
The perspective of a “family” emerges in all the readings and discussions as participants come to better see St. Joseph as the head of the Holy Family, the loving foster father of Jesus, and the dignified, virtuous husband of Mary, “a gentleman, a protector, and a man pure of heart,” writes Father Calloway. He tells readers that “now is the time of St. Joseph,” as the world greatly needs him and his role as defender of the family—the foundation of society—with marriage at the heart of creation and redemption.
According to Father Calloway, St. Joseph is also “the Increaser,” having the power to increase the presence of God in one’s life, which then encourages followers to spread the saint’s virtues to others. As a catechist at Christ the King, Zimmerman said she often shares readings from the text with her students. “This helps them better understand Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—the models of a beautiful, loving and humble family that we should all try to emulate,” she said.
“Devotion to St. Joseph has blossomed,” said Father Walsh, “and is now in full bloom. The world is in need, and he is the one to help us.”
