Well, I'll bet that you're just now starting to receive (or send) Christmas cards this year. And I'll bet that most of them include pictures of the Virgin and Child. (Our upcoming Christmas issue has a special image--with a fascinating history--of Mary and her infant son on its cover.) But what about Joseph? Poor guy. He's usually shunted off to the side, if he's even there. Here's a piece on Slate about putting Joseph back in the picture. And a little video from Loyola Productions on the saint of the Hidden Life.
Don't Forget about Joseph!
The latest from america
Working for the protection of people by safeguarding against the crime abuse is an integral expression of Christian faith. The successor of Pope Francis has the task of picking up where he left off and continuing resolutely. How can that be done?
Francis always encouraged me in our attempt to move forward as an ecumenical community and in welcoming young people from different churches who come to Taizé from all over the world. He was the pope, but also a father and a brother to me.
Pope Francis welcomed criticism—as long as it was not made behind his back.
The cardinals have asked Catholics to pray for them and the conclave. What exactly should we be praying for? And should we be scandalized by the intermingling of politics and spirituality?
Your comments on Slate remind me of this summer. We went back for the 50th high school reunion. When I saw the headmaster's name, I knew he must be the son of the "displaced persons" who worked at our church when I grew up.
The father was THE janitor/maintenance/anythingelsethatcamealong person of a large suburban parish with a large school, convent and rectory. One very clear memory I have of elementary school is seeing Mr B working around the parish with children following him. The children were listening to him as he worked. I think their success after a difficult childhood in a foreign land learning a new language can be traced to the firm grounding they received from their father.