By Sister Laetitia Therese, O.C.D.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share about St. Joseph. My deepened relationship with him is recent. As I began second novitiate last year, I was asked to consider how I would relate to each of the patrons of our institute. I felt compelled to ask St. Joseph to be the guardian and protector of my vocation. I began to experience his presence in my life.
I made the consecration to St. Joseph on the anniversary of Mother Luisita’s death. The time of preparation was powerful as I considered new insights related to Joseph, Mary, and Jesus and how they lived as the Holy Family. I was particularly struck by the purity of Mary and Joseph and their love for one another. To be in the presence of the other, drew each to deeper virtue and love for God and others. I spent much time considering the ordinariness, as well as intimacy, of their life together. I pondered the rich day to day interactions of Nazareth filled with peace, hard work, simplicity, prayer, and constant trust in God.
The life of the Holy Family is how all families are called to live. As the head and protector of the Holy Family, St. Joseph was vital. While pondering this, we embarked upon our community journey of Healing of the Whole Person. I became more aware of how un-ideal my family has been, despite the best of their intentions. I experienced St. Joseph personally inviting me to become a part of his family. The Holy Family is a sanctuary for growing in wholeness and healing and in the shelter of Nazareth, I have begun to experience healing from my woundedness. St. Joseph’s invitation and the protection I have experienced in his spiritual fatherhood have been an essential part. May he continue to extend his spiritual fatherhood, drawing others under the protection of his Holy Family.
Original watercolor paintings created by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
