Understanding Catholic Fatherhood Opening Prayer Prayer to St. Joseph as composed by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical Quamquam Pluries: To thee, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy our affliction, and having implored the help of thy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. thrice holy Spouse, we now, with hearts filled Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of with confidence, earnestly beg thee also to take error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most us under thy protection. By that charity wherewith valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers thou wert united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue of God, and by that fatherly love with which thou the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now didst cherish the Child Jesus, we beseech thee defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the and we humbly pray that thou wilt look down with enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus thy patronage, that, following thine example and Christ purchased by His blood, and wilt succor us strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, in our need by thy power and strength. die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen. Watch Further Reading Dr. Joseph Atkinson, The following is an excerpt from a February 2015 an associate professor blog post posted on USCCB’s ForYourMarriage.org. of Sacred Scripture at The blog post explores some of the key messages the Pontifical John from one of Pope Francis’s reflections about Paul II Institute at fatherhood that month. Catholic University of America, shares The Positive Roles of Fathers his thoughts on what Catholic fatherhood Turning his attention away from the problems should look like accor- of absent fatherhood in society, Pope Francis ding to Scripture and how Catholic fathers looked at all the positive aspects of fatherhood. can thrive amidst societal challenges today. He began with St. Joseph, the “father of the Family of Nazareth,” who overcame the Understanding Catholic Fatherhood can temptation to leave Mary. be watched at this link: https://youtu. be/4Fr7zeTbnhw “Every family needs a father,” Pope Francis affirmed, and every father is called to take pride Take notes of things that strike you when you in “transmit[ting] to his son what truly counts watch the video. Write down words or phrases in life, namely, a wise heart.” that catch your attention to discuss in groups after the video. 1 A wise, mature father says to his child: that being present is not the same thing as being “I will be happy every time that I see controlling, which means not allowing the child you act with wisdom, and I will be to grow. moved every time I hear you speak what is right… I taught you things you The Gospel highlights the fatherhood of God in did not know, I corrected errors that you did not the parable commonly called the “Prodigal Son.” see. I made you feel a profound and, at the same Pope Francis said, “How much dignity and how time, discreet affection… I gave you a witness much tenderness in the father’s waiting, who is of rigor and firmness, which perhaps you did not at the door of his home waiting for his son to understand… I had to put myself first to the test return! Fathers should be patient, many times of wisdom of heart, and to watch over excesses there is nothing else that can be done other than of sentiment and resentment, to bear the weight to wait. Pray and wait with patience, gentleness, of the inevitable misunderstandings and find the magnanimity and mercy.” right words to make myself understood. Now, when I see that you seek to be like this with your Fathers must be both strong and gentle, the pope children, and with everyone, I am moved. I am said. They must “correct without discouraging,” happy to be your father.” and “protect tirelessly.” It is difficult to be a good father; it “costs,” said Pope Francis pointed out that children need their the Pope. But it is well worth it, and gives “a joy fathers but may not show it. “They will do everything that compensates for every effort, that surpasses not to admit it, not to make it seen, but they need every misunderstanding and heals every wound.” him and in not finding him opens in them wounds Pope Francis pointed to the “first necessity” of that are difficult to heal,” he said. He pledged the fatherhood: presence. A husband and father must Church’s support for fathers, “because they are, be close to his wife and share everything with for the new generations, irreplaceable custodians her. He must be close to his children at all times, and mediators of faith in goodness, in justice and in the good and the bad. The Holy Father notes in the protection of God, as Saint Joseph.” Prayer to St. Joseph, copyright © 1889, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City State. All rights reserved. Used with permission. USCCB The article for Further Reading was originally published on USCCB’s For Your Marriage website. Copyright © 2015, 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC. All rights reserved. 2.