St. Joseph - March 19

photo credit from Catholic Tradition

the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus, Saint Joseph is also the Patron of the Universal Church. his feast day is celebrated by the Church as a Solemnity (an honor shared only by St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John the Baptist). and on a more personal note, my own husband, Nicholas Joseph, celebrates one of his name-days on March 19. 

The reasons why St. Joseph must be considered the special patron of the Church, and the Church in turn draws exceeding hope from his care and patronage, chiefly arise from his having been the husband of Mary and the presumed father of Jesus..., Joseph was in his day the lawful and natural guardian, head and defender of the Holy Family.... It is thus fitting and most worthy of Joseph's dignity that, in the same way that he once kept unceasing holy watch over the family of Nazareth, so now does he protect and defend with his heavenly patronage the Church of Christ. 

(from Quamquam Pluries - On Devotion to St. Joseph, by Pope Leo XIII)

i'm so grateful for Nick's unceasing dedication to our family. he's my best friend, our spiritual leader, and an involved father who delights in loving Greta. in lieu of the traditional St. Joseph's Day altar (a spread of pastries, breads, and cakes), we celebrated with one of Nick's favourite dishes: spaghetti carbonara.

Spaghetti Carbonara

serves 4

8 oz spaghetti

8 slices bacon

2/3 c. chopped green onion

4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained

3 egg yolks, lightly beaten

6 oz (1 1/2 c.) finely shredded cheddar cheese

Pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Remove from pan and coarsely crumble, reserving 3 TSBP drippings in skillet.

2. Saute green onions and mushrooms in drippings in skillet over medium heat - 2 minutes. Drain pasta. Place in serving bowl. Immediately stir egg yolks into hot pasta. Stir in remaining ingredients and toss before serving. 

photo credit from Catholic Culture

Collect for the Day:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph's intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Saint Joseph, pray for us!