This blog started as the home on the Web for the Catholic Mothers Online blog roll, which is community listing of Catholic bloggers who are mothers - whether that be in the present, in your plans in the future, through being a godmother, or those who are mothers at heart.
Just wanted to let everyone know that things have been extra busy around here lately, and I'm behind in processing requests to join. Not horribly behind, mind you, but a bit farther behind than I want to be.
It's on my to do list for this weekend -- promise!
So, while you wait for me, why not take a minute to answer a fun question --
March is the month the church honors St. Joseph - the man closest to Christ. Today, March 10th, we can start a novena to St. Joseph to culminate on his solemnity.God gave us quite a role model in this beloved and "just" saint he chose to protect his Son and Our Lady.
Pope Pius IX placed the whole Church under the Patronage of Saint Joseph in 1870. In 1989, Pope John Paul II reflected deeply on the life and witness of Saint Joseph in Redemptoris Custos "Guardian of the Redeemer" (q.v).
Among the saints known to have had particular devotions to Saint Joseph are Saint Bernard, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Gertrude, Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Alphonsus and Saint Teresa of Avila.
In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI said that in a world which is "too noisy, and does not encourage reflection and listening to the voice of God", Christians should "allow themselves to be 'infected' by the silence of St Joseph".
Also humble, St. Joseph dedicated his whole life to the interests of Jesus - an example of faith, trust, he was obedient to God's call. I have prayed that the men in my family reflect St. Joseph's character to...
- Protect the unborn
- Be unselfish husbands/ Authentic fatherhood
- Serve God and His Church/ hard-working providers
- Devote themselves to The Blessed Virgin and the chastity of their vocation
No great words or deeds necessary as the Bible in Matthew 1 :18 notes. Just an example of holiness in being lovingly faithful, placing the Lord and Blessed Mother first. How could we not want our husbands and sons, our priests to not be JUST like St. Joseph?!
I hold St. Joseph dear to me and my family and have felt an affinity to him from very early on in my reversion to the faith. As a mother of 3 sons, I like to have our family watch this inspiring DVD on St. Joseph every March. (You can rent it at Netflix.)
--------------------------------------- Totus Tuus Family & Catholic homeschool blog has focused on homeschooling/family life, traditional Catholicism and pro-life issues since May of 2007. It's author "+JMJ+" attempts to post everyday and finds it difficult to not include a picture with every story. If you would like a saint companion for your year visit the blog and click on the Saint's tab toward the top. www.TotusTuusFamily.blogspot.com
If you need to contact Angie about the blog roll, please contact her at: catholicmothers (at) comcast.net
Please be sure to check your spam folder if you are expecting to receive something (such as the coding) and it has not arrived. But, please remember, it may be up to one week after you sign up before you receive the coding in an email. Thanks!
