PROSPECT HEIGHTS — The fragrances of fresh lilies and incense merged on March 19 for a 7 p.m. Mass for the solemnity of St. Joseph at the parish that carries his name in the Diocese of Brooklyn — the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph.
The Mass, celebrated by Msgr. Joseph Grimaldi, vicar general for the diocese, was held on the feast of St. Joseph. Many members of the congregation wore white and carried lilies, which are associated with the saint.
Msgr. Sean Ogle, the homilist, shared before Mass the story of how Joseph was selected to be Mary’s husband after his staff “blossomed” with lilies. It was a sign that God chose him for the immense responsibility of being the provider and protector of the Holy Family, he explained. And although no sentences in scripture are attributed to the foster father of Jesus, his actions are well recorded.
RELATED: How Faith and St. Joseph Guided One Mother Through Loss
“Joseph was a man of action,” said Msgr. Ogle, vicar for clergy and consecrated life in the Diocese of Brooklyn. “And his biblical silence makes sure that we see how decisive his actions were.
“And decisive action does not come from a weak and timid man, but rather from the strong, silent type of man that humble and obedient faith in God will produce.”
Linda Ferrette, who belongs to St. Teresa of Avila Church in Prospect Heights, said she attended the Mass because of her devotion to St. Joseph that began as a child growing up in Trinidad and Tobago.
“He is the father of everyone,” she said of St. Joseph, “so we always pray to him and ask him to guide all families. Every day I pray for peace in this world, especially for the kids who are growing up now very rough, tough, and with less knowledge about religion.”
Rene Garcia, a member of the co-cathedral’s parish, came to the Mass with his wife and three children, ages 17, 14, and 6. He said St. Joseph inspires him.
“We learn how he was a father to Jesus, and now I try to do the same thing,” Garcia said. “I try to do my best to take care of my family.”
RELATED: The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph — A Reborn House of Worship in a Changing Neighborhood
Also, before the Mass, Msgr. Grimaldi recounted how both his grandfathers were named Joseph, so, in keeping with the Italian tradition of naming a firstborn son after a grandfather, it was a foregone conclusion that he too would have the same name as the saint.
“I was covered by both,” he said of his grandfathers. “So, there was no question about it — I was Joseph.”
But, while growing up in Immaculate Conception Parish in Astoria, Msgr. Grimaldi developed a unique devotion to the saint.
“I always saw St. Joseph as a true father figure,” he said. “I understood and prayed to him as a man of obedience and trust.”
St. Joseph was always a man of simplicity and humility, but in sainthood, he holds the title of “patron of the Universal Church” and is a phenomenal intercessor, Msgr. Grimaldi said.
“Personally, I know that some of my prayers have been truly answered through the intercession of St. Joseph,” he said. “He is a saint for all seasons, and for all people.”