By I'm encouraging everyone in the Diocese of Tyler to consider participating in the Consecration to St. Joseph which will begin on February 16, 2020.
A book dedicated to this effort titled, Consecration to St. Joseph by Donald H. Calloway is available on Amazon and is a helpful guide to assist you with this consecration. The book guides you from Day 1, February 16 to Day 33, March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph Husband of Mary with brief spiritual reflections on St. Joseph as a model of manly, chaste discipleship. We often speak of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the 1st disciple because it was her Yes to God's will and the conception of God's Son in Her womb by the Holy Spirit that ushered in the Christian Era of human history, the Age of the Son. Thus we can speak of St. Joseph as the 2nd disciple because he accepted the message of the angel and said yes to God's plan for him to be the husband of Mary and the foster father of God's own Son, Jesus Christ.
St. Joseph is a beautiful example of the Godly man that we need so much in the world today. Society too often diminishes the role of men and attempts to erase the beautiful differences between men and women that are embedded in God's loving plan for all humanity. Let us turn to St. Joseph for his strength, his fidelity and his model of commitment to his family and to God's will. May St. Joseph inspire all boys and men to know the special gifts they bring to their families and communities and may he help them to be strong in standing for the truth and seeking virtue in all things.
St. Joseph Husband of Mary, Pray for Us
Joseph Strickland
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland was named the fourth bishop of Tyler in September of 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Prior to being named bishop, he served a number of roles in the diocese, including vicar general, judicial vicar, and pastor of the Cathedral parish. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1985. 