St. Joseph, ora pro nobis

^"18 Now the birth of Jesus ^[c]Christ was as follows: 

when His mother Mary had been^[d]betrothed to Joseph, 

before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 

¹⁹ And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting 

to disgrace her, planned ^[e]to send her away secretly."

-Matthew 1:18-19

Imagine that you were a man engaged to a beautiful, humble, God-fearing, young woman who you trusted and were excited to bring into your home. Nothing in this life was as important to you as following, loving, studying and obeying the commands of God and you were at peace having found a woman with the same devotion. 

One day you are going about your regular activities: working at your shop, the gentle cooling breeze turning your heart and mind to prayer thanking God for the wonderful woman He has given to you and the promising life you two will have...

...But that day you find out that she is pregnant.

Everything stops. You feel crushed, cheated, betrayed, sad, confused... all your emotions are swirling. How could this virtuous woman -- this woman you loved and trusted -- be carrying another man's child?

St. Joseph had such strength. Many men in this situation would be uncontrollably furious and would willingly expose the woman and get their revenge. Not St. Joseph. He had no idea that this woman and her child were very special indeed but still spared them death; he planned to silently and respectfully divorce Mary.

Of course, his simple plan was not what God had in mind. He told Joseph not to divorce Mary but bring her into his home. And with incredible trust, St. Joseph did just that.

Silent, strong, humble and trusting St. Joseph, please pray for us.