Not long ago, I was sorting through some of my Dad’s old papers
and I came across a candy wrapper and a Father’s Day card tucked into an
envelope that bore a March 2001 postmark from Rome. Seeing it brought back
happy memories of a sabbatical I spent living and working in Rome for several
spring months.
One of the highlights of my stay was the chance to celebrate the feast
of St. Joseph Italian-style. I have long thought that this strong, silent hero
of the New Testament gets far less attention than he deserves. So, I was more than happy to take advantage
of the chance to celebrate him.
First, of course, I honored him by indulging in (more than one)
of the zeppole di San Giuseppe — a pastry made in his honor. I do not know the
history of this sweet tradition, but that did not prevent me from following it
with enthusiastic respect.
Second, I celebrated at a lively street festival. Although I
lived in the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica, my local parish was dedicated to
St. Joseph. Thus, our festival was particularly exuberant. Talented chalk
artists sketched beautiful portraits of St. Joseph in the middle of the closed
street and crowded sidewalk. A traditional procession of a floral-wrapped
statue wended its way through the crowd, and the sound of hymns and other
joyful noises filled the evening air. In the windows of bakeries and bars were
signs advertising — what else? — zeppole. Falling, as it does, in the heart of
Lent, the feast of St. Joseph was the justification for a very welcome
high-spirited celebration.
Third, however, and most personal to me, was the fact that St.
Joseph’s Day is also the day when Italians celebrate Father’s Day. That
explained why I sent my Dad a Father’s Day card in March, along with some
Italian chocolate I knew he would like. The fact that he had saved the card and
the evidence of the long-gone chocolate warmed my heart and made me glad I had
braved a crowded Roman post office to send it to him.
I like the link between rejoicing in St. Joseph’s Day and
celebrating Father’s Day. Sometimes I think that, like St. Joseph, good fathers
also get far less attention than they deserve. Fathers who are careless, absent
or worse get attention while those who live their vocation well are often, like
St. Joseph, not noticed quite as much.
So, perhaps, when March 19 comes around, the feast of St. Joseph
may be an occasion to be prayerfully grateful for loving dads if we are, or
once were, blessed to have them journey with us through life.
St. Joseph was asked to undertake a challenge he did not fully
comprehend. Thanks to all those dads who face difficult challenges they do not
understand and bear their struggles with strength, trust and patient endurance.
St. Joseph housed his family in a stable when that was the best
he could find. Thanks to all those struggling dads who ache to give their
families more in material comfort while they give them the shelter of great
love.
St. Joseph practiced his faith through his life of prayer and by
following religious traditions with fidelity.
Thanks to all those dads who, through their example, give their children
the precious bequest of faith.
St. Joseph spoke not a single word recorded in Scripture. Thanks
to all those dads who work in quiet ways, not calling attention to themselves
but putting the good of their families ahead of their own needs and wants.
St. Joseph was a carpenter and made his living with the manual
labor that was his art and his trade.
Thanks to all those dads who work long hard hours in labor, art or trade
to support their families, contribute to their communities, and glorify God
through their work.
St. Joseph searched for Jesus when, as a boy, Jesus stayed behind
in a temple in Jerusalem after a family pilgrimage. Thanks to all those dads
who seek for their own children when they are lost in so many different and
heartbreaking ways.
St. Joseph cared for his beloved during the months of her
unexpected pregnancy. Thanks to all those dads who care for the mothers of
their children as they carry their infants within them, especially when the
circumstances are difficult.
St. Joseph loved and honored Mary. Thanks to all those dads who
give their children a priceless gift when they love and honor their mother.
My own Dad has finished his journey through this life. So, on
March 19, I cannot send him a card or candy as I once did. But now, like then,
I can still offer him my thanks on St. Joseph’s Day. And, in a particular way,
I am thankful that my Dad saved an old card and a candy wrapper. It reminded me
to be grateful for the quiet way he walked with me through ordinary times.
Silecchia is a professor of law at The Catholic
University of America in Washington.