The real St Joseph

by Anna Marie Sopko Administrator of CUSA from 1976 to 2007

I can’t believe the year of St. Joseph is already over. It seems that it just started. To me, it really meant something since I grew up as an active parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Bayonne, New Jersey, receiving my first Holy Communion and Confirmation there, and being an active member of our parish sodality.

Time flies. A close friend of mine bought a tape on consecration to St. Joseph during the year of St. Joseph, and the two of us listened to a portion of the tape during the 30 days of preparation for the consecration. Of course, she was at home, and I was here at the nursing home. We spent about an hour each evening listening to the tape via her telephone.

During this year, I saw a few pictures that really made me think. There was one of Joseph and Mary sitting on the side of the road on their way to Bethlehem. The donkey they were riding was nibbling grass nearby, and Mary was half asleep with her head lying on Joseph’s lap. How many times did a scene like that actually take place? I’ll bet there were many. The roads were not paved as they are today, and there wasn’t a McDonald’s nearby to get a refreshing drink. It was usually on the side of the road where Mary was able to get off their animal and stretch out, thanks to Joseph’s lap. I wonder where he stretched out!

Can you imagine how frantic he must have been when they got to Bethlehem with his wife ready to give birth and “no room in the inn”? I hope he had some matches to burn out some of the smell in the stable. It really wasn’t the picturesque scene we imagine today. Did they have any food

The Birth of Jesus: Artist unknown

stands to buy something to eat? How did they manage? Only God and St. Joseph know.

When the little boy had been born, St. Joseph’s joy soon turned to panic as he heard of the marching soldiers of Herod. He and his little family were on the road again—this time to Egypt and with no idea where he was going. I’m sure he had more than one guardian angel. I hope he had no border customs to contend with.

What did the family do during their time in Egypt? I imagine Joseph got busy with his carpentry in order to supply his family with the necessities of life such as food, clothing, and a few distractions for their little boy. Jesus may have been Son of God, but he was also the son of Mary and in need of human fondling and other distractions that all children need. Daddy was busy!

Finally, it was back to Israel and retracing his route for a while. I’m sure he had to detour to Nazareth. I hope they had a place to relax in when they finally reached “home.”

These and other thoughts have come to mind through the year of St. Joseph. I never took the opportunity before to think of the human needs St. Joseph had to provide for Jesus and Mary. Did Mary ever ask St. Joseph to take her boy out for a walk so she could have an afternoon rest or complete the next meal? Did she ever ask him to get her a pail full of water and ask him to wash diapers? Sometimes we forget that our Holy Family was a real human family.

I am certainly grateful that after 2,000 years, St. Joseph is recognized for all he does for the Church, and for us. Jesus knew him as his father here on earth, and he will surely take care of our needs if we ask him. St. Joseph, as you took care of Jesus during his presence on earth, take care of us also, until we meet you in heaven.

You are invited

The CUSAN is your magazine. It is published twice a year with only you in mind. The CUSAN is also an opportunity for you to share your feelings, ideas, and talents with CUSANS everywhere. If you feel the urge to write, in prose or poetry, or share an artwork or photo in order to inspire, assist, inform, or simply entertain your companions on this journey, please contact the editor, Dolores Steinberg, at 1403 Teresa Drive, Apt 4E, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, or via e-mail at sdolores12n@gmail.com.

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