Fears and Tears

What a beautiful season Advent is, the second week is upon us with the focus of Faith. Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

This new liturgical year, I find myself walking with a new saint, St. Joseph. The quiet, strong protector of Mary and the baby Jesus.

I learned about this powerful saint at a conference I attended in the fall. The keynote speaker, Father Calloway, spoke on St. Joseph and introduced his book, “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father”. Father Calloway spent many hours researching St. Joseph and the book is a lovely representation of the history of St. Joseph and provides the guidelines for the Consecration. I saw St. Joseph with new eyes and longed to learn more about his hidden life, so I purchased this book, and I can say that I highly recommend it.

God is so good, as our own Archdiocese announced a year of St. Joseph this year 2020-2021. God in His abundance, did not stop there, as Pope Francis announced this year of St. Joseph for the Universal Church. What a beautiful gift from the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

Paul and I have spent the last 33 days, evening by evening, reading, praying and turning our eyes to St. Joseph, following his life in this beautifully written book by Father Calloway. It was a beautiful, prayerful time as a married couple, where Paul read out loud the daily reflection as I listened and after with him leading the prayer time of the beautiful Litany of St. Joseph. It greatly added to my spiritual practice as I entered more fully into this beautiful Advent season.

I am so grateful to walk this year with St. Joseph, may my faith, hope and love increase in the love of God and neighbor. I give thanks to God for my father, for being a great example to our family, I am with you in your struggles and hold you deep in my heart with much love and prayer. A most blessed second week of Advent to you, much love – Vikki