VATICAN - The Pope’s Angelus: “St Joseph’s example urges us to carry out with fidelity, simplicity and modesty the task assigned to us by Divine Providence"

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer on Sunday 19 March with people gathered in St Peter’s square to receive his blessing Pope Benedict XVI said: “Today 19 March is the solemnity of St Joseph but since it coincides with the third Sunday of Lent the celebration is postponed until tomorrow. However in the Marian context of the Angelus I invite you to reflect with veneration on the figure of the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the universal Church. Although the figure of this great Saint is rather hidden he is of fundamental importance in the history of salvation”. St Joseph was an “authentic heir to the faith of Abraham… his greatness, like that of Mary, stands out even more because his mission was undertaken in the hidden and humble home at Nazareth”.
Then the Holy Father said St Joseph’s example was an invitation to “carry out with fidelity, simplicity and modesty the task assigned to us by Divine Providence ”. “I think first of all of mothers and fathers - the Pope said -, and I pray they may always appreciate the beauty of a simple working life, nourishing with care conjugal relations and undertaking with enthusiasm the mission of education by no means easy. May Saint Joseph help priests who exercise paternity towards ecclesial communities love the Church with affection and total dedication and may he sustain consecrated person in joyful and faithful observance of the evangelical counsels poverty, chastity and obedience. May he protect the workers all over world so they may contribute with their different professions to progress for the whole of humanity, and may he help every Christian to do the will of God with trust and love, thus bringing to completion the work of salvation”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/3/2006 - righe 21, parole 306)