'Tis the Feast of St. Joseph

And apparently in Italy, it is traditional to wear red. Otherwise, you get an ice cube down your back! So, always being in the mood for starting new traditions, my family has dressed in red! (Also, who really wants an ice cube down their back? We are *that* kind of family.)

So all of us are wearing some kind of red garment. Me, I'm sporting a red shirt, black skirt, and some wee red flowers in my hair. Very pretty, I think. :)

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It is a new, beautiful week, and I have new items in my shop! I was feeling un-enthusiastic about molding yet another Phantom mask, so instead, I made a couple things I've been wanting to make.

Namely, THESE Captain America Shield Earrings:

And THIS Iron Man Arc Reactor:

 (I use my sisters as models. Aren't they kind?)

The Arc Reactor photographs really well. I love how the "lights" on the edge seem to shine a little bit. That's because of how I made the cane clay for those. Aren't I clever?

The Arc Reactor was originally going to be THIS:

(These photographs were taken with my phone)

 But I decided, every good artist needs a prototype! (Or rather, I fell in love with it and was reluctant to sell it, so my sisters convinced me to keep it as a prototype... just like Iron Man!) So, I kept the little box Arc Reactor, and instead made one that you can wear. Which I think is pretty cool.

So, that's what's new in my neck of the woods.

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Hope the rest of you have a lovely St. Joseph's Feast Day! God bless. :)

Cat

P.S. I don't know WHY that one Arc Reactor picture refuses to stay centered. I apologize for the distracting lack of symmetry it gives the overall page. :)

St. Joseph: Feast day, March 19th.

I meant to get this topic posted yesterday, but I was having the devil of a time with the internet, so I gave up. So, I'm posting now.

This post is about St. Joseph. In my humble opinion, (IMHO for all you acronym-crazy writers) St. Joseph is the definition of the most perfect spouse ever.

In the bible he is described as a "just man." That term may not seem to adequately describe his utter holiness, his devotion to Mary the Mother of God, and his complete faithfulness to his guardianship over the Child Jesus. Inf fact, that term is defined as a person who lives by faith, prays through all things, and seeks to do good in every one of life's circumstances. St. Joseph did all this perfectly.

St. Joseph was a simple carpenter, specially chosen by God to be the foster father of Christ, the Son of God. He was of royal blood, descended of the house of David, the greatest king of Israel. He was remarkable for his complete obedience to the will of God. One of the most beautiful examples of his obedience is this:

After the birth of Jesus Christ, an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told his to rise, take his family, and flee to Egypt. Without question, Joseph did as the angel commanded. Can you imagine that kind of obedience? He left everything, his job, his home, his native land, to take his family to a completely foreign land in order to raise the Child in safety. There he remained, with Mary and Jesus, until another angel came to him and told him it was safe to return.

St. Joseph had the remarkable privilege of dying in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Not only was he allowed to die before Christ's death on the cross in order that he might be spared the agony of seeing his foster Son die the death of a common criminal, but he was allowed to die that he might not in any way hinder God's plan for our redemption. Really, could you imagine that, if Joseph had been alive at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, he would have stood aside and let the soldiers take him? Not he! I can visualize him throwing aside the guards, roaring into the courtyard to face off the Sanhedrin, protecting his Jesus with his carpenter hands, carpenter strength, with his very life. But Christ was born to die. So St. Joseph died first, in the arms of his Son. He is invoked as the Patron of a Holy, Happy Death.

Here is also the patron of:

1. The Universal Church.
2. Fathers
3. Those in doubt
4. Cabinetmakers
5. Carpenters
6. Travellers

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation. And having implored the help of thy thrice holy spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage, also. By that charity, wherewith thou wast united to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray that thou wouldst look down with gracious assistance upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by His blood, and will assist us in our need by thy power and strength.

Most watchful guardian of the holy family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ. Keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God's holy church from the snares of the enemy, and from all adversity. Keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that following thine example, and strengthened by thy help, we may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death, and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in heaven. Amen.

St. Joseph

St Joseph, Patron of a Peaceful Death

St. Joseph, Husband of the Virgin Mary