Consecration to the ‘Quiet Man’

Morning was breaking as many people from the Diocese of Baton Rouge gathered May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. 

An atmosphere of reverence permeated the church as the faithful came to consecrate themselves to St. Joseph, “the quiet man” of the Bible whose life so vibrantly spoke about faith and obedience that the Catholic Church has dedicated this year to honoring him.

“I was moved by the number of people who were there for holy hour (at 7 a.m.),” said ICC pastor Father Matthew Graham.

ICC deacon assistant George Hooper completed a consecration to St. Joseph using the book “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Fathers” by Father Donald Calloway MIC. Deacon Hooper had considered offering classes, with the book as a formation tool, leading up to a parish-wide consecration to St. Joseph on the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker.

Likewise the ICC staff pondered how it would celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, so when Father Graham mentioned Deacon Hooper’s desire to offer the classes, the staff collaborated with him on the effort. Classes were held Tuesday mornings and evenings.

Deacon Hooper said sessions included a recapping of the readings of the week and discussing questions in Father Calloway’s book.

When Bishop Michael G. Duca announced in April that the diocese would mark its 60th anniversary by celebrating “60 Years of St. Joseph” beginning on the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, ICC found it to be “a double blessing.”

Gwen Richard, who worked alongside Deacon Hooper on the classes, said classes were well attended and people repeatedly said they were surprised at how much they learned about St. Joseph.

“I’ve had people tell me ‘I’ve been Catholic all of my life and I didn’t know this,’ ” said Richard.

She said many made connections with St. Joseph in their own lives.

Betty Schoettle shared her connection with St. Joseph as the patron saint of a happy death through the passing of her father. A faith-filled man, her father, who at one point in his life worked at a funeral home, had commented, “I’ve embalmed plenty of bodies and I’ve never seen a corpse that had a smile on their face.”
 

“We want our kids back in church, so I’m praying for my kids and grandkids to come back to the church by Christmas.” 

Ricky Guidry
Member, Immaculate Conception Church

Schoettle said her father had made a connection with St. Joseph beginning in his early years of marriage when he prayed to St. Joseph that he and his wife would be able to have children and promised he would do his best to be a good father. He continued praying the St. Joseph novena and assisting with St. Joseph altars as a talented baker and chef. 

When he passed away, it was evident St. Joseph ushered him home to heaven, according to Schoettle.

“He had a smile on his face,” Schoettle said of her father. 

She herself has a rich history with St. Joseph’s Day, which is when she married her husband Milton, who is now deceased, and St. Joseph’s altars through many answered prayers and fond memories.

So prepared with formation, discussion and their own history with St. Joseph, members of ICC and other church parishes in the diocese gathered for the consecration. Many more people than anticipated came for adoration, the rosary, litany of Loreto, benediction, Mass and consecration to St. Joseph. In addition to those attending the classes, many had gathered in homes or prayed the novena on their own.

In a nod toward Louisiana’s love for St. Joseph’s altars with their cookies, cakes, breads and lucky fava beans, Father Graham said the Year of St. Joseph and consecration invites people to know more about the spiritual side of Jesus’ foster father.

People had expressed to Father Graham how their love and knowledge for St. Joseph had grown.

“It shows how much the joy of learning is never ended and we are never done learning,” said Father Graham.

ICC members Ricky and Carmen (Soledad Cerda) Guidry are eager to learn more. Ricky Guidry said the consecration has given him a deeper appreciation for St. Joseph as a protector of the family, “terror of demons” and powerful intercessor in heaven.

“We want our kids back in church, so I’m praying for my kids and grandkids to come back to the church by Christmas. And I’m believing it and coming to St. Joseph about it (who will) give it to God,” said Ricky.

Carmen, whose worked as a nurse for Fresenius Medical Care in Baton Rouge, resonated when Father Graham’s homily message that the life of St. Joseph reflects the call for everyone to “do it all for love” in their families, workplace, church and world.

A relationship with St. Joseph was established early for Cathy Edwards, who grew up in the mother church of the diocese, St. Joseph Cathedral. Her mother had a special devotion and the family felt the saint’s special intercession in their lives.

“We prayed together every night and thanked God for everything we had, the roof over our heads, the fact that we didn’t have to be out in the rain, and that he provided the rain,” said Edwards.

But this year and the consecration helped Edwards have a deeper relationship with St. Joseph.

Although much attention is given to the fact that there was not a word spoken by St. Joseph in the Bible, Edwards said his leadership of the Holy Family is evident in the fact that he guided them in following the Jewish customs, such as bringing Jesus to be presented in the temple. And he quickly obeyed when God told him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt when Herod was killing infants and young boys in looking to kill Jesus.

“This year has made me more aware of St. Joseph, how he protects families, which is very needed,” Edwards said.