The Faithful Steward: A Lenten Retreat Guide on Saint Joseph
(A Retreat Guide from RCSpirituality.org)
He is the universal patron and protector of the Catholic Church. He is the traditional patron of a happy death, of fathers and of unborn children, of immigrants and workers, of home hunters and people facing doubt and hesitation, and of dozens of countries, regions, and cities across the world. Who is he? St. Joseph, the carpenter from Nazareth, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and foster-father of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why is St. Joseph such a popular patron, such an important figure for Catholics of all times and places? What do we really know about him? What does he have to teach us about what it means to follow Christ and experience the fulfillment that comes from spiritual maturity, the fulfillment we all long for?
Those are some of the questions we will explore in The Faithful Steward: A Lenten Retreat Guide on Saint Joseph.
- In the First Meditation, we will reflect on how the Church’s liturgy presents St. Joseph and the lessons contained there.
- In the Second Meditation, we will look at the artistic tradition surrounding St. Joseph, reflecting on the wisdom of its beauty and symbolism.
- And in the Conference, we will delve into the spiritual discipline of silence—something present in St. Joseph’s example and too often absent in our own pursuit of deeper friendship with Christ.
This may seem a strange topic for a Lenten Retreat Guide, but reflecting on St. Joseph will bring us back to the spiritual fundamentals – and getting back to spiritual basics is a great way to live Lent. Let’s ask him for all the graces we need, and most especially, for the grace of interior renewal through the example and intercession of St. Joseph, the faithful and prudent steward.
God bless you during this Lenten season.
In Him,
Fr. John Bartunek, LC, ThD
contact@rcspirituality.org
