St. Joseph as a model of union with Jesus Christ is seen most visibly in the many depictions of Joseph holding our Lord in his arms, embracing our Mother Mary as she carries Jesus or of St. Joseph and our Lord Jesus in the workshop of Nazareth. The union comes in the constant unity, companionship and care for Jesus in each and every aspect of the life of St. Joseph as husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.
This union is what each person should strive to live in our lives with St. Joseph as our model. It is a unity and model of seeking the holiness of life in serving our brothers and sisters in our daily life.
How do we do this in our lives? Ultimately, I believe it comes from a joyful faith in Jesus Christ. “Union with Jesus Christ is the most perfect expression of our faith, at the same time is its characteristic principle. Spiritual life receives its vitality from Jesus Christ, and is more productive of virtue and abundant in good works as the union of the soul with Jim becomes more intimate.” (p 43 from “The Month of Joseph”)

I have been privileged as a priest to witness this virtue of joyful service in so many people in my ministry. A good example of this is another Joseph I know: Fr. Joseph Diaw, who has been is in residence with us at St. Lucy parish these past four years. Joyful and abundant in love of Jesus are two very simple ways of describing Fr. Joseph in a way that St. Joseph was a model of for each of us.
Fr. Joseph has been working and studying here in the United States as he prepares to return to his home diocese in Senegal where he will continue to serve the poor and refugee in the love of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Joseph will be leaving us very soon and reflecting back on his union with Jesus Christ and how we can continue to carry out his mission. I didn’t expect this gift of joy in my life and ministry when I arrived at St. Lucy. I received a call from Fr. Oscar, the former pastor of St. Athanasius, that there was this African priest who was here to study and did I have a place for him at St. Lucy. I was happy to accept him and there began the journey. Fr. Joseph’s English was limited at the time but the his joy and willingness to serve was apparent and he immediately fit into the house with Fr. Steve and I as we shared time together. We learned both expressions in French and Fr. Joseph’s native language but also the unity of our Catholic faith as he shared stories of serving in Africa and his missionary work with refugees.

During his study of English and then his MBA at the University of San Francisco this past year showed a dedication and virtue of perseverance where his love of God’s people drove him forward in learning something that did not come easily and took much time as he continued to serve at St. Lucy. His “yes” like the “yes” of St. Joseph was one that often stretched and invited him into areas that are not comfortable. And there our Fr. Joseph entered joyously and with a smile on his face. When asked, his “yes” came with a smile and for this I will always be thankful.
As Fr. Joseph departs St. Lucy, let us once more here the reflection of Archbishop M. de Langalerie, “Are our lives in union with that of Jesus Christ? Let us repeat these words, imposed on us as a dogma: Nothing without Jesus; on the contrary all things by Jesus, in Jesus, and with Jesus by him as mediator of grace; with Him, our model and our strength; in Him, the sole objects of the Satisfaction of the Father.”
Farewell my brother and God Bless you on your journey
Adieu mon frère et que Dieu vous bénisse pendant votre voyage. (google translate…forgive the errors.)
God Bless
Fr. Mark