St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying and Solace of the Afflicted

The artwork presented is of the death of St. Joseph. This shrine is located at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church in Zionsville, Indiana. I spent my deacon summer at this parish and assisted at the dedication of this shrine of St. Joseph. The death of St. Joseph is commonly seen in paintings and stained glass, but rarely as a statue. This shrine is beautifully done. St. Joseph is in the arms of our Blessed Mother, Mary, and Jesus. Holy men surround the death of St. Joseph: Abraham, Benedict, Michael McGivney, Stephen, Pio of Pietrelcina, Jose Sanchez del Rio, Maximilian Kolbe, and John Paul II, to name a few!

The death of St. Joseph was, in a sense, a gift from Jesus, who would hand his father over to His Father. Therefore, we can say, Jesus entrusted Joseph to have a particular intercessory power for all those in the moment of death. The example of St. Joseph, his devout life, free of sin, and immense love for Jesus and Mary shows us how to prepare for what is to come.

As believers, we pray for the living and the dead. “From the beginning, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God” (CCC, 1032).

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and soul. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, May I sleep and take my rest in peace with you. Amen.

Peace,

Fr. Sean