32nd Cross

The Carpenter's Cross

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Today's cross is the Carpenter's Cross - a simple wooden cross with three nails laid upon it. This cross recalls the simplicity of St. Joseph, whom tradition tells us made his living by being a carpenter. Recent Biblical archeology of the region where the Holy Family lived has suggested that it was more likely Joseph was a day laborer, working in one of the towns nearby for the Roman government, on various construction projects that were going on at that time. Most of the men in Nazareth, including Jesus when he was old enough, would have found work there, laboring with large slabs of stone and tools like the T-square and chisel. Whatever his specific trade, we know that St. Joseph earned his living with his hands, and he is typically portrayed with handheld tools, as well as lilies, signifying his purity.

The three nails on this wooden cross also, of course, signify the three nails that pierced the hands and feet of Jesus. Nails have been recovered from ancient crucifixion sites and they tend to be bigger and thicker than these, illustrating the cruelty of this particular death. I wonder - did Jesus and St. Joseph ever hold nails like these in the workshop in Nazareth and quietly think about that day still so far away, that day that we call Good Friday?

Mystical saints over the centuries have commented that sometimes Mary and Joseph would find Jesus praying as though he was on a cross, anticipating the final sacrifice He would make of His life, already offering His life back to His Father. Although St. Joseph passed away before Jesus' Passion and Resurrection, he most likely knew it was going to happen. This great, quiet, saint of strength spent his years with the Holy Child and His Holy Mother, experiencing both sublime joy as well as intense sorrow.

St. Joseph was available for Mary and Jesus, and he is always ready to help us, too.

Just as he was available for Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph makes himself available to us, as well. He is always ready to guide and protect us, to help us respond to God's promptings quickly, just as he did, and now, he can also intercede for us at the throne of his foster son, Jesus the Christ. As we approach Holy Week and the culmination of Jesus’ life, how appropriate it is for us to thank God for the gift of this holy man who shepherded and cared for Christ and His mother, and ask him for his intercession.

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Litany of Saint Joseph*

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us.
Pure Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
Provider for the Son of God, pray for us.
Zealous defender of Christ, pray for us.
Servant of Christ, pray for us.
Minister of salvation, pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
Joseph, most just, pray for us.
Joseph, most chaste, pray for us.
Joseph, most prudent, pray for us.
Joseph, most brave, pray for us.
Joseph, most obedient, pray for us.
Joseph, most loyal, pray for us.
Mirror of patience, pray for us.
Lover of poverty, pray for us.
Model for workers, pray for us.
Glory of family life, pray for us.
Guardian of virgins, pray for us.
Cornerstone of families, pray for us.
Support in difficulties, pray for us.
Comfort of the sorrowing, pray for us.
Hope of the sick, pray for us.
Patron of exiles, pray for us.
Patron of the afflicted, pray for us.
Patron of the poor, pray for us.
Patron of the dying, pray for us.
Terror of demons, pray for us.
Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possessions.

Let us pray.
O God, who in your inexpressible providence
were pleased to choose Saint Joseph
as spouse of your most holy Mother,
grant, we pray,
that we, who revere him as our protector on earth,
may be worthy of his heavenly intercession.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

*A partial indulgence is attached to the faithful recitation of this prayer.