ST. JOSEPH, PATERNAL RIGHTS, & POPE BENEDICT XV

The current millennium seems to be open to St. Joseph, the Guardian of the Redeemer, who up until recently was hidden, in a way. The faithful are discovering his role not only within the pious walls of the Church, but also in their daily lives. Why is this important? Why does one need Joseph? 

Joseph has emerged at this critical time in history because now more than ever a human father is needed, a noble model of manhood for these troublesome times, as there is a war currently being waged on manhood.

Fathers, or “breeders” (as some people dare to label heterosexual men, quite derogatorily,) are shamed from exercising any rights over their children. It is the children who are encouraged to make their own decisions, even those of an extremely serious, adult nature (or unnatural nature), such as the now popular theme of changing sexes. The “breeders” no longer have a say in what is best for their children. Their sole purpose is to bring the child into the world and be as accommodating as possible to their whims and ideas – regardless of health, safety, or salvific risks.

There is a shaming of parenthood when one tries to make important decisions for children, when one tries to discipline them, or even in giving them spiritual formation. The common phrase from parents these days is “I’ll let my child decide what they want”. Fathers no longer have the rights accorded to him by God as they have been taken away by the world. God is no longer the judge of humanity but, rather, the ungodly public is.The shaming of fatherhood must stop!!

Pope Benedict XV warned us about this sort of thing one hundred years ago! And who did the Pontiff give the faithful as a model and protector for those evil times? St. Joseph. How much more do we need him now, in this diabolical 21^st century. The Pope’s words are so in tune with our present state that he could easily have uttered them this morning:

"We now see, with true sorrow, that society is now much more depraved and corrupt than before, … This World Government will no longer acknowledge the authority of the father over his children, or of the public power over the citizens, or of God over human society. We, therefore, concerned most of all by the course of these events … recommend the faithful to St. Joseph, to follow him as their guide and to receive the special honour of his heavenly patronage (Benedict XV, 1920)."