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Our Church canonizes saints largely because they are successful models of Christian living and are helpful to us as we try to be better followers of Christ.  Saints are given to us not so much for our admiration as for our imitation.

During the month of March, the church honors two special saints.   St. Patrick whose feast we celebrate on March 17 and St. Joseph whose feast we celebrate on March 19.  St. Patrick is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of New York and St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church.

Details of St. Patrick’s life are few and uncertain, though legends abound.  St. Patrick was born in Scotland, England or perhaps in Gaul about 385 A.D.  Along with some slaves of his father, he was captured and taken to Ireland and sold as a slave.  He escaped to Gaul and made his way back home.  He was ordained a priest about 417 and remained in Gaul for fifteen years.  Consecrated bishop in 432, he went back to Ireland and began to preach throughout the country, with great success.  St. Patrick made himself one of the people; he lived simply, learned their language and customs.  The people were open to him and to his challenging preaching. St.  Patrick’s love for the people of Ireland and his efforts to bring them to Christ were so successful, that within the century, Irish monks were Christianizing most of Europe.  The foundation of St. Patrick’s love and strength was a deep sense and experience of the presence of God and his constant communication with God through prayer.

The ”how” and “why” of missionary activity was understood by St. Patrick and other pioneer missionary monks.  What we can learn from them today is acknowledged by the Second Vatican Council: “Since the whole Church is missionary, and the work of evangelization is the fundamental tasks of all of God’s people, this sacred Synod invites all to undertake a proud interior renewal so that being vitally conscious of their responsibility…they might play their part in missionary work among the nations” especially in the USA.

Our other focus is on St. Joseph.  Externally St. Joseph’s life was ordinary.  Foster father of Jesus, husband of Mary, carpenter, neighbor, friend – all down to earth roles but all part of his vocation, all part of God’s will for him.

Yet our Church venerates St. Joseph in a degree second only to that which it accords the Blessed Mother herself.  A quiet, humble man, he shared the Incarnation in a way like no other human being except Mary.  Pope John Paul II says that in all circumstances of his life, St. Joseph was eager to hear God’s word and do God’s will.  In such a life nothing is “ordinary” or “routine” because everything is done for love of God,  family and one’s fellow human beings.  Grace elevates nature.  The daily task and the family role are sacramental.

St. Joseph, who lived in the light reflected by Jesus and Our Blessed Lady, shows us how to sanctify daily life.  No big deal, no big talk – just fidelity to daily duty, quiet care for family and extended family, unselfish service to others especially those who can do little for us in return.

May St. Joseph, beloved patron of the Universal Church, and St. Patrick, patron of our Archdiocese, pray for us throughout this Lent 2025 and help us all to see God’s will in our daily lives.