JOSEPH - An Ordinary, Extraordinary Man

 Rome, March 19, 2026

My faithfulness and mercy will be with him.” (Ps 89, 25)

An Ordinary, Extraordinary Man

Dear Sisters, Associates, and Friends,

Joseph does not get a lot of coverage in Scripture. We read so much about Mary and Jesus that it is easy to minimize his role in their family life. Yet even before Jesus is born, Joseph’s “Yes” and his obedience to the message of the angel in his dreams helps form the Holy Family as we know it. We cannot underestimate the faith it took for him to make this choice given the cultural expectations of his time.

We can imagine Joseph as a father staying up many nights with Mary while she nursed Jesus. Seeing Jesus take his first steps. Playing with Jesus as a little boy and carrying him on his shoulders. Teaching him the art of carpentry. Fulfilling the beautifully important role of earthly father to Jesus and husband to Mary with deep love. An ordinary, everyday life.

However, Joseph serves as a reminder that we, as ordinary people, are still chosen to do extraordinary things in our daily lives. How can each of us become Joseph today?

We wish you many blessings on this Feast of Saint Joseph, our Patron and Protector.

With love,

Sr. Dolores Lahr
Sr. Celine Kalathoor
Sr. Elisa Fátima Zuanazzi
Sr. Maria Cristina Gavazzi