Did you ever make plans, only to have God throw you a curveball?

Saint Joseph knows how you feel. I can count at least four ways his life was interrupted by curveballs from God, starting with his wife inexplicably becoming pregnant. Saint Joseph always embraced the burdens and never complained about them. In doing so, the burdens became blessings, both for him and indeed for the whole world.

We've all experienced unprecedented disruptions to our normal routine. From inconveniences to unemployment to changed wedding plans, we've been seeing lots of complaining on social media. However, if we're honest we have to admit that there are a surprising amount of blessings along the way. But as of this posting, Twitter has only a handful of posts tagged #covidblessings. Let's change that. I practice social distancing on both Twitter and Instagram, so my posts will never go viral. You're welcome. But yours could. Go ahead and share about your unexpected #covidblessings. Let's start a movement of gratitude.

Prayer to St. Joseph

Good St. Joseph,
as you led the Holy Family, watch over our families.
Help our family and all families to know and share God’s love.
In our family relationships, may we find healing and seek to be holy.

May our fathers help us to become faithful disciples of Jesus
who share our love for Him.
As a foster father of Jesus,
watch over all who serve as spiritual fathers.
In a special way, bless our Holy Father, our Bishop, and our priests.
May they follow your humble example in their fatherly care
for the people of God, the Church.

With Mary, you raised Jesus the High Priest.
You know our need for priests.
Please raise up good and holy priests from our families
to serve the people of our diocese.
May our children and grandchildren hear and say “yes” to the call of Jesus, just as you and Mary did.

Good St. Joseph, pray for us.