The month of March in the Catholic tradition is usually connected with St Joseph. This year on the feast of St Joseph (19 March), the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart remember and give thanks for the foundation of the Congregation by Saint Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods – 160 years ago in 1866, in Penola, South Australia.
St Joseph is often featured in religious works of art, and we may all have a favourite picture in mind. It might be Joseph as: a family man, a protector, a carpenter, a teacher to Jesus, or one listening to God in his dreams; to name but a few.
In today’s world when the news is overwhelmingly about conflict and war, the image that comes to my mind is Joseph leading Mary and the child Jesus on a donkey to safety and is usually referred to as the “Flight into Egypt”. In this particular version, we note that Joseph holds the reins lightly, as in “with reins of kindness, with leading strings of love.” (Hosea 11:4)
Today we pray for world leaders to be willing to undergo a change of heart and to lead with kindness. We are mindful of the thousands of innocent victims including generations of children who are trying to flee to safety. We pray for ourselves so that wherever we are we will act wisely and courageously and “with reins of kindness”.
The Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for Lent 2026 also encourages us all to disarm and cultivate kindness:
In this regard, I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.
Let us pray with St Mary MacKillop who, in her letter for the St Joseph’s feast day in 1877, wrote:
May (St Joseph) watch over us all and may he obtain from the Heart of his foster Son, the grace to live in union and peace.
Sr Josephine Dubiel
Congregational Leader