On March 19, the Church celebrates the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the guardian of the Christ-child.

We can imagine that St. Joseph did not fully understand the circumstances surrounding Christ’s conception and birth, but he was able to love what he did not fully understand. It is in this love that both his faith and his sanctity are revealed.

I believe Saint Joseph highlights a powerful yet understated role in salvation history. In the light of his silence and humility, I invite you to understand the depth of his sanctity. Saint Joseph’s life serves as a model for embracing the ordinary with extraordinary grace, an invitation to trust in God’s plan without needing the spotlight.

Joseph’s silent faithfulness is a powerful witness to all who are called to live out their faith quietly but profoundly in everyday life. Through St. Joseph’s example, we are called to live in a way that might not always bring attention but fulfills God’s will. His mission was one of humble service, a lesson we can carry with us as we navigate our own lives, often in silence or behind the scenes, knowing that God is working through us.

Saint Joseph’s witness is a reminder to us that holiness does not always come with grandeur, but through simplicity, faith, and love. We may never fully understand the details of our lives, just as St. Joseph might not have understood everything surrounding the birth of Christ, but through his love and faith, he showed us that it’s in our trust in God and our willingness to serve that sanctity is found.

The call for us to be “unnoticed saints” in the ordinary moments echoes Joseph’s quiet devotion. It’s a call to embrace the humility and peace of knowing that our lives, no matter how small they may seem, can reflect God’s extraordinary grace.

On behalf of all my Marianist Brothers,

Bro. Roger Poletti, S.M.