(First Century) Saint Joseph has a memorial on March 19, but he got a second feast day, inaugurated in 1955 by Pope Pius XII. May Day was already known as International Workers Day, and at that time in history, the Soviet Union thought that was the ideal day to promote Communism. Pius XII reframed the day for Catholics as a time to reflect on the humility and dignity of work, with Saint Joseph and Jesus as the model laborers.

Addiction (in its various embodiments) can distract us from our employment. It can disrupt our dreams and ability to pay attention to God. Saint Joseph, patron of families, fathers, a happy death, employment, and workers, can inspire us to refocus and rebuild. As we piece our lives back together, we invoke the intercession of Saint Joseph the Worker.

“O Saint Joseph…you, who side by side with the Word made flesh, worked each day to earn your bread…you who experienced the anxiety for the morrow, the bitterness of poverty, the uncertainty of work…protect workers in their hard daily lives, defending them from discouragement, from negative revolt, and from pleasure-loving temptations. Amen” (Pope Saint Paul VI, May 1, 1969).

Reflection by Brad Farmer