Pope Francis says Saint "...Joseph appears as the guardian of Jesus and of Mary. And for this reason, he is also “the Guardian of the Church” FULL TEXT + Video


 
POPE FRANCIS at the GENERAL AUDIENCE

Saint Peter's Basilica - Paul VI Audience Hall - Wednesday, 24 November 2021

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Greetings - Vatican Basilica Catechesis

GREETINGS OF THE HOLY FATHER

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

I am pleased to welcome you in this Basilica, and to address a warm welcome to every one of you.


CATECHESIS

Catechesis on Saint Joseph - 2. Saint Joseph in salvation history

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Last Wednesday we began a cycle of catecheses on Saint Joseph – the year dedicated to him is coming to an end. Today we will continue this journey, focusing on his role in salvation history.

Jesus in the Gospels is indicated as the “son of Joseph” (Lk 3:23; 4: 22; Jn 1:45; 6:42) and the “carpenter’s son” (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3). Narrating Jesus’ childhood, the Evangelists Matthew and Luke dedicate space to the role of Joseph. Both of them compile a “genealogy” to highlight the historicity of Jesus. Addressing himself above all to the Judeo-Christians, Matthew starts from Abraham and ends up at Joseph, defined as "the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (1:16). Luke, on the other hand, goes all the way back to Adam, beginning directly with Jesus, who "was the son of Joseph", but specifies: “as was supposed” (3:23). Therefore, both Evangelists present Joseph not as the biological father, but in any case, as fully the father of Jesus. Through him, Jesus fulfils the history of the covenant and salvation between God and humanity. For Matthew this history begins with Abraham; for Luke, with the very origin of humanity, that is, with Adam.

The evangelist Matthew helps us to understand that the person of Joseph, although apparently marginal, discreet, and in the background, is in fact a central element in the history of salvation. Joseph lives his role without ever seeking to take over the scene. If we think about it, “Our lives are woven together and sustained by ordinary people, people often overlooked. People who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines. … How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small ways, and in everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis by adjusting their routines, looking ahead and encouraging the practice of prayer. How many are praying, making sacrifices and interceding for the good of all” (Apostolic Letter Patris corde, 1). Thus, everyone can find in Saint Joseph, the man who goes unnoticed, the man of daily presence, of discreet and hidden presence, an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of difficulty. He reminds us that all those who are seemingly hidden or in the “second row” are unparalleled protagonists in the history of salvation. The world needs these men and women: men and women in the second row, but who support the development of our life, of every one of us, and who with prayer, and by their example, with their teaching, sustain us on the path of life.

In the Gospel of Luke, Joseph appears as the guardian of Jesus and of Mary. And for this reason, he is also “the Guardian of the Church”: but, if he was the guardian of Jesus and Mary, he works, now that he is in heaven, and continues to be a guardian, in this case of the Church, for the Church is the continuation of the Body of Christ in history, even as Mary’s motherhood is reflected in the motherhood of the Church. In his continued protection of the Church – please do not forget this: today, Joseph protects the Church – and by continuing to protect the Church, he continues to protect the child and his mother” (ibid., 5). This aspect of Joseph’s guardianship is the great answer to the story of Genesis. When God asks Cain to account for Abel's life, he replies: “Am I my brother's keeper?” (4: 9). With his life, Joseph seems to want to tell us that we are always called to feel that we are our brothers and sisters’ keepers, the guardians of those who are close to us, of those whom the Lord entrusts to us through many circumstances of life.

A society such as ours, which has been defined as “liquid”, as it seems not to have consistency… I will correct the philosopher who coined this definition and say: more than liquid, gaseous, a properly gaseous society. This liquid, gaseous society finds in the story of Joseph a very clear indication of the importance of human bonds. Indeed, the Gospel tells us the genealogy of Jesus, not only for a theological reason, but also to remind each one of us that our lives are made up of bonds that precede and accompany us. The Son of God chose to come into the world by way of such bonds, the way of history: he did not come down into the world by magic, no. He took the historic route we all take.

Dear brothers and sisters, I think of the many people who find it difficult to find meaningful bonds in their lives, and because of this they struggle, they feel alone, they lack the strength and courage to go on. I would like to conclude with a prayer to help them, and all of us, to find in Saint Joseph an ally, a friend and a support.

Saint Joseph,
you who guarded the bond with Mary and Jesus,
help us to care for the relationships in our lives.
May no one experience that sense of abandonment
that comes from loneliness.
Let each of us be reconciled with our own history,
with those who have gone before,
and recognise even in the mistakes made
a way through which Providence has made its way,
and evil did not have the last word.
Show yourself to be a friend to those who struggle the most,
and as you supported Mary and Jesus in difficult times,
support us too on our journey. Amen.

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Special Greetings:

I greet the Vincentian Family from all over Italy who have promoted the pilgrimage of the Madonna della Medaglia Miracolosa to all the regions of Italy, together with the dioceses and parishes. In these months of the pandemic, your mission has brought hope, making many experience God’s mercy. I am thinking in particular of lonely people, of the sick in hospitals, of those living in prisons, in reception centres and on the existential peripheries. Thank you, because you have borne witness to the style of the “outbound Church” that reaches out to all, starting with the excluded and the marginalised. Continue along this path and open yourselves ever more to the action of the Holy Spirit, who gives you the strength to proclaim boldly the newness of the Gospel.

I greet the pilgrims of the John Paul II Association of Bisceglie. Dear friends, imitate the example of this Holy Pontiff, and make the effort to understand and welcome God’s love, the wellspring of and reason for our true joy. In communion with your parish priests, proclaim Christ with your life, in your families and in every environment.

My greeting goes finally to the Italian Association of Victims of Violence. Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you for your work of assistance and support to those who have suffered mistreatment and who live in distress and discomfort. Violence is ugly; a violent attitude is very ugly. With your important work, you contribute to building a more just and supportive society. May your example inspire renewed effort on the part of all, so that the victims of violence are protected and their suffering is taken into account and listened to.

And thank you to all of you for this visit! Right here in the Basilica, this is beautiful… I impart my heartfelt Blessing to you all, which I extend to your families and your communities. Now I invite you to pray together to Our Lady, who is present here. Hail Mary …

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Je salue cordialment les personnes de langue française, en particulier les pèlerins du Diocèse de Lyon. Le Seigneur a mis sur notre route des frères et sœurs qui souffrent, qui se sentent seules ou qui ont perdu force et courage. Sachons les reconnaître et que Saint Joseph nous aide à devenir leurs amis et leur soutien sur le chemin de vie. Que Dieu vous bénisse.

I cordially greet the French-speaking faithful, in particular the pilgrims from the Diocese of Lyon. The Lord has placed on our path people who suffer, who feel alone or who have lost strength and courage. We must know how to recognize them and, with the help of Saint Joseph, become their friends and support on the journey of life. God bless you! ]

I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today's Audience, especially the groups from England and the United States of America. In particular, I greet the priests from various dioceses of England and Wales who are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary of ordination. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. May God bless you!

Einen herzlichen Gruß richte ich an die Gläubigen deutscher Sprache. Der heilige Josef möge uns helfen, unsere unauslöschliche Verbindung mit Christus und seiner Kirche konsequent und freudig zu leben. Er möge uns immer gegen jeden Angriff des bösen Feindes verteidigen.

I address a cordial greeting to the German-speaking faithful. May Saint Joseph help us to live our indelible bond with Christ and his Church in coherence and joy. He always defends us from every attack of the evil one .]

I cordially greet los fieles de lengua española. Los animo a pedir con confianza a san José la capacidad de valorizar los vínculos profundos de nuestra vida, a las personas comunes que nos acompañan y sostienen, para que nadie se sienta solo y abandonado y todos puedan reconciliarse con su propia historia viendo en ella la providencia de Dios pese a su debilidad. Que el Señor los bendiga. Muchas gracias.

Saúdo afetumente os fiéis de língua portuguesa. No passado domingo, vivemos or trigésimo sexto Dia Mundial da Juventude, uma nova etapa no caminho que nos levará à Jornada Mundial da Juventude de 2023 in Lisboa. Nesta peregrinação espiritual, deixemo-nos fascinar pelo coração humilde and disponível de São José para com os outros. And Seguindo o seu exemplo cuidemos das relações na nossa vida. Sobre todos desça in benção do Senhor.

I affectionately greet the Portuguese-speaking faithful. Last Sunday we experienced the 36th Youth Day, a stage on the journey that will take us to Lisbon in 2023. In this spiritual pilgrimage, let us allow ourselves to be fascinated by the humble heart and available to others of Saint Joseph. And following his example, let us take care of the significant bonds of our life. May the Blessing of the Lord descend upon all .]

أُحَيِّي المُؤْمِنِينَ الناطِقِينَ باللُغَةِ العَرَبِيَّة. لنسأل القديس يوسف الذي حافظ على الرباط مع مريم ويسوع, أن يساعدنا في الاهتمام بالعلاقات في حياتنا, حتى لا يختبر أحد الشعور بالتخلي الذي يأتي من العزلة. بارَكَكُم الرَّبُّ جَميعًا وَحَماكُم دائِمًا مِنْ كُلِّ شَرّ!

I greet the Arabic-speaking faithful. We ask St. Joseph, who preserved the bond with Mary and with Jesus, to help us take care of relationships in our life, so that no one experiences that sense of abandonment that comes from loneliness. The Lord bless you all and always protect you from all evil! ]

Pozdrawiam serdecznie wszystkich Polaków. W przyszłą niedzielę rozpoczyna się Okres Adwentu, który poprzez różne symbole przygotowuje nas do celebrowania tajemnicy Wcielenia Syna Bożego i przypomina nam, że życie ludzkie jest ciąwangym. Nasze życie staje się piękne i szczęśliwe, gdy czekamy na kogoś drogiego i ważnego dla nas. Niech ten Adwent pomoże Wam przekształcić nadzieję w pewność, że Ten, na którego czekamy, kocha nas i nigdy nas nie opuszcza. Z serca Wam błogosławię!

I cordially greet all Poles. Next Sunday the Season of Advent begins, which by means of various symbols prepares us for the celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God and reminds us that human life is a continuous waiting. Our life becomes beautiful and happy when we wait for someone dear and important. May this Advent help you to transform hope into the certainty that the One we await loves us and never abandons us. I heartily bless you! ]

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I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the Daughters of Mercy of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis, gathered in the General Chapter, and I urge them to continue their mission with joy in fidelity to the charism of the foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified. I greet the former students of the Roman Major Seminary, who are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their priesthood, encouraging them to be generous servants of the holy people of God.

Finally, as usual, my thoughts go to the elderly, the sick, the young and the newlyweds. Next Sunday will mark the beginning of Advent, the liturgical period that precedes and prepares the celebration of Holy Christmas. I wish each of you to open your heart to the Lord, to prepare the way for him who comes to fill all our human weaknesses with the light of his presence.

My blessing to all of you.

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