Discipline #3 – Strive to be a Spiritual Father like St. Joseph

Catholic Watchmen are Called to be Spiritual Fathers The perpetual Spiritual Combat – A Catholic Watchmen is a Catholic man who persistently commits to “step into the breach” (Ezek 22:30) to be a protector, provider and leader for his family, his parish and for the Church. Persistent vigilance is essential in the Spiritual Combat as Satan relentlessly attacks men, knowing that if the man is corrupted, the family scatters and becomes easier to attack. Satan divides and conquers. Men must answer the call to Spiritual Fatherhood – Most men are “good dads” who attempt to provide their children’s necessities (shelter, food, education, etc.). But being a “good dad” is insufficient for eternal life; there are no “good” souls in heaven, only “saints.” Christ’s call to “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:19) requires Catholic men to be spiritual fathers who shepherd many souls (especially their own children) to become adopted children of God. It is every Catholic man’s duty to be a spiritual father.

St. Joseph is the Model for Spiritual Fatherhood Joseph is exalted as a father by God – The Father selects Joseph to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster father of the Son. Mary, the Immaculate of God, places her full trust in Joseph to be her Son’s father. Jesus exalts Joseph by His love and willing obedience to Joseph’s fatherhood (Luke 2:51). Joseph is a spiritual father to Jesus – Joseph protects Jesus from scandal by marrying the pregnant Mary (Matt 1:24), legally adopting (Luke 2:21) and presenting Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:22), leading the family to the safety of Egypt (Matt 2:13) and returning to Galilee and providing a safe home (Matt 2:22). Joseph diligently provides for Jesus through his work as a carpenter (Matt 13:55), raises Him in the faith (teaching Scripture, celebrating the Sabbath, going to synagogue and the Temple), demonstrates virtue and teaches Him a trade. Joseph plays an essential role in helping Jesus to “increase in wisdom and in stature” (Luke 2:52). Patron Saint of the Church and of fathers – St. Joseph is the second greatest saint (after Our Lady) and is the Patron (meaning, “defender, protector, father”) Saint of the Catholic Church and of fathers. St. Joseph is venerated with two feast days (March 19 and May 1). St. John Paul II wrote the apostolic exhortation Redemptoris Custos, (Guardian of the Redeemer) to promote St. Joseph as the model of fatherhood.

Principles of Spiritual Fatherhood from St. Joseph These principles are from Show Us the Father by Devin Schadt and appear here in slightly modified form. Fully commit to fatherhood – St. Joseph’s acceptance of his new identity as the father of Jesus changes his destiny; St. Joseph becomes a visible icon of God the Father and his primary vocation is “the father of Jesus.” Like St. Joseph, each Catholic man must consciously accept his identity as a spiritual father whose primary vocation is to bring souls to be adopted children of God. Continually pray to grow in fatherhood – St. Joseph was a model of prayer who was attentive to God and received clear instructions from God (Matt 1:20-21, 2:13, 2:19-20). Like St. Joseph, Catholic men must pursue a daily inner prayer life, constantly asking God how to become more and more a father like St. Joseph. Make spiritual fatherhood your primary work – Because Joseph’s primary vocation was to be the adoptive father of Jesus, Joseph’s entire life was focused on working for God and all Joseph’s work became sacred. Catholic men must make spiritual fatherhood for their children and others their primary vocation; in this, each man is irreplaceable. Men must vigilantly battle against the temptations of Satan to abandon fatherhood for career, trusting in God to provide for the family. Demonstrate the sacrificial love of a father – St. Joseph demonstrates sacrificial love. He: takes Mary as his wife and adopts Jesus; defends Mary’s virginity and remains chaste; protects and treats Mary with absolute respect; leaves his business/family to lead the Holy Family to the safety of Egypt; labors till his death to provide and protect Mary and Jesus; humbly sacrifices in secret, diligently giving his all. Like Joseph, every Catholic man must demonstrate sacrificial love by: being the head of his family; leading with charitable authority; cherishing his wife to model the role of husband to daughters and sons; defending the virginity and chastity of his children; practicing virtue; battling lust and other vices; cheerfully providing, protecting and leading the family in good and bad times. Spiritually adopt and bring your children to Christ – St. Joseph spiritually adopts Jesus by: accepting Him as his adoptive son; names Jesus at His circumcision; presents Jesus at the Temple; protects and provides for Jesus; teaches Jesus the Jewish faith (leads Sabbath meal; takes Christ to Jerusalem Feasts); guides Jesus to manhood; passes on a trade. Like Joseph who is an icon of the Father, every Catholic man must spiritually adopt his children by: being present; listening with love; praying with and blessing children; leading the family to Reconciliation and the Mass; practicing and passing on the Catholic faith; teaching virtue.

7 Actions to Grow in Spiritual Fatherhood 1. Pray daily to become a spiritual father – Renew the vows you took at your children’s baptism. Pray daily to the Trinity to help you become a spiritual father in the spirit of St. Joseph and to grow in virtue so you can demonstrate how a Catholic man lives. Ask for St. Joseph’s intercession with traditional prayers/devotions. Pray for the guidance to evangelize adult children and grandchildren. 2. Pray with and bless children daily – Praying with children imprints the importance of prayer, teaches them how to pray and most importantly, draws children to Christ. In addition to memorized prayers (Our Father, Glory Be, Hail Mary, Bless us O Lord, etc.), lead and encourage spontaneous vocal prayer (when conflict arises, sickness or injury of family or others, in gratitude for blessings, special needs). Regularly bless children, laying on hands and asking for God’s help. Let children know you are praying for them each day. 3. Spend lots of time with children – Fathers create deep wounds on children when they are chronically absent, disengaged or abusive. Make it a practice to spend time with each child, listening carefully and responding with compassion, interest and loving guidance; do not over or under correct. Show affection. Enjoy leisure but ensure that children see you doing real hands-on work around the home. Spend time out in God’s Creation and with other Catholics and minimize media/video games. Speak of how God blesses your life. 4. Be active in teaching children the faith – Lead in love through the fruits of your own inner prayer life. Take an active role in discussing and practicing the Catholic faith, reading Scripture, and participating in catechesis classes and homework; instill hunger for Christ and discipline without being a tyrant. Persist with love and hope to draw adult children who have fallen away back to the Church. 5. Celebrate the Sabbath and Holy Days – Fathers who prepare (Saturday Confession) and lead their families to Sunday Mass have a lasting impact. Honor God on Sunday with Works of Mercy, family leisure and an unhurried Sunday feast. Lead the family to encounter the mysteries of Advent, Lent and Easter and to celebrate all Holy Days of Obligation. 6. Build fraternity with other Catholic men – Get to know many men in your parish and build bonds of brotherhood by taking responsibility and active leadership. Discuss how to be better fathers and pray together. Be mentored in spiritual fatherhood and be a mentor to other men, especially younger men. 7. Lead your family on pilgrimage – Family pilgrimages create lasting impressions on children. Options include: weekend retreats, summer camp, visiting shrines, World Youth Day, touring Rome or Holy Lands. Pilgrimages are especially impactful on young men.