I will call you Dad: prayer and novena to Saint Joseph

One Sunday, a father and son go out for a walk and, in a shop where they sell jackets, the father stops to look at one, since the one he has is already worn out. He imagines himself wearing the jacket. He does the math. It seems like it will be enough for him. Suddenly, he realizes that, in another shop, his son also sees a jacket that he likes. Without thinking twice, the father says to his son: “Do you like that jacket, son?” He looks him in the eyes, no more needs to be said. He immediately takes out the money and buys the jacket for his son. The satisfaction of seeing his son’s smile was the best part of that Sunday. This is how this young man remembers it, who now prays in front of the photo of his father, who some time ago left with God. In another part of the world, a missionary remembers with a smile the day he met his father. He was already grown up. The two saw each other, overcame their shyness and forgave each other. They talked about everything a bit, until the father began to say goodbye. Before leaving, the son asks for his blessing. Who knows when they would see each other again? The father, moved, gives his blessing and hugs his son for the first time. That missionary will not forget that day, it gives him strength to go on. A little girl asks her mother why she doesn’t have a father like the other girls. The mother, a little sad, tells her that her father is traveling and that he loves her very much. Then, the mother shows her daughter a holy card of St. Joseph; she tells her that he will always accompany her, just as he accompanied Jesus. The girl, very happy, says to the holy card: “From now on, I will call you dad.” All these and many more stories are the beautiful experiences that many of our children have lived alongside our fathers. Through different modes of prayer: novena, triduum, individual prayers, etc., we have wanted to offer different ways to invoke the holy Artisan of Nazareth and thank the Lord for the gift of fathers, here on earth and there in Heaven. We dedicate this writing to all the devotees of Saint Joseph, especially to those who have felt with special significance his paternal presence in our lives, a providential gift, without a doubt, from our God.

HNO. JOSE MIGUEL V. T

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