Co-Worker in the
universal plan of Salvation
H. H. John Paul II
Homily given on the
Solemnity of the St. Joseph
March 19, 1998
1. O blessed Joseph, happy man, whose privilege
it was not only to see and hear God ...but also to carry him in
your arms and kiss him, to clothe him and watch over him!
 This prayer, which priests once used to recite as they prepared
to celebrate Holy Mass, helps us to understand more deeply the
meaning of the liturgy for today’s solemnity. Today we
contemplate Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin, protector of
the Incarnate Word, a man of daily work, steward of the great
mystery of salvation.
It is precisely this last aspect which is given great emphasis
in the biblical readings proclaimed a few moments ago, which
explain to us how God involved St Joseph in the saving plan of
the Incarnation. “God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have
eternal life” (Jn 3:16). This is the incomparable gift of
salvation; this is the work of Redemption.
Like Mary, Joseph also believed in the Lord’s word and came to
share in it. Like Mary, he believed that this divine plan would
be fulfilled through their willing co-operation. And this is
what happened: the eternal Son of God became man in the Virgin
Mother’s womb.
About Jesus — a newborn, then a boy, an adolescent, a young man,
a mature adult — the eternal Father spoke the words of prophetic
announcement which we heard in the first reading: “I will be his
father, and he shall be my son” (cf. 2 Sm 7:14). In the eyes of
those living in Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, Joseph was
Jesus’ father. And the carpenter of Nazareth realizes that in a
way this is so. He knows it, because he believes in the
fatherhood of God and is aware of being called, to a certain
extent, to share in it (cf. Eph 3:14-15). And today the Church,
in venerating St Joseph, praises his faith and total docility to
the divine will.
2. This year I have chosen the Solemnity of St Joseph for the
episcopal ordination of three priests to whom I am particularly
close because of their exceptional service to the Holy See and
to me personally. They are Mons. James Harvey, Mons. Stanislaw
Dziwisz and Mons. Piero Marini. Now in the prayerful and solemn
atmosphere of this basilica, they are waiting for the imposition
of hands, after the singing of the Veni Creator in which we
together invoked an abundance of the Paraclete’s gifts upon
them. They are waiting, drawing from today’s Solemnity of St
Joseph sentiments and thoughts to reflect upon which will help
deepen their understanding of the profound meaning of what the
Church is about to transmit to them through these sacramental
signs.
These words echo in my heart: “God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Dear Brothers, who are
about to be raised to the grace of the Episcopate, this mystery
of love is set before your eyes today with extraordinary
eloquence. You are called to share in it in an even more
demanding way. God calls you to be his closest co-workers in the
universal plan of salvation. To you he entrusts his own Son, who
lives in the Church as once he lived in the house at Nazareth.
To you he entrusts the Saviour of the world and his saving work.
In your youth, the Lord conferred on you, by the grace of the
priesthood, a specific ministry in the Church. Today, in your
human maturity, you are given through the Holy Spirit a share in
the fullness of the sacrament of Orders, by which you are
committed in a new way and with greater responsibility to the
service of the Redeemer of man, the one supreme Mediator and
Pastor of souls. The Church prays with you and for you, so that
this mission may become a source of countless benefits for all
those to whom you will be sent.
We ask this through the intercession of St Joseph; to him we
entrust your ministry, mindful that in the fullness of time the
heavenly Father put his own Son and the Virgin Mother under his
protection. May St Joseph obtain for you an abundant outpouring
of the Holy Spirit.
3. It is the Spirit of the Lord who consecrates you with the
strength of his love.
He consecrates you, dear Mons. James Harvey, of the Archdiocese
of Milwaukee in the United States, for many years my faithful
collaborator in the Secretariat of State. Now, as Prefect of the
Papal Household, you will be responsible for the daily round of
audiences and meetings. This is a most significant and valuable
service, especially in these years leading up to the Great
Jubilee of the Year 2000.
It was 35 years ago, dear Mons. Stanislaw Dziwisz, that I
ordained you a priest in the cathedral at Wawel. Three years
later I appointed you my chaplain. Since the beginning of my
Pontificate you have stood faithfully by my side as secretary,
sharing the works and joys, the anxieties and hopes connected
with the Petrine ministry. I joyfully praise the Holy Spirit,
who through my hands will consecrate you a Bishop. With the
wealth of your experience, as Adjunct Prefect of the Papal
Household you will be able to assist all those who, by reason of
their ministry or as pilgrims, come to the Successor of Peter.
The Spirit consecrates you, dear Mons. Piero Marini, from the
Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio, for many years my Master of
Liturgical Celebrations. In this capacity you have been beside
me at the most sacred moments and have always performed with
appreciated devotion the liturgical task I entrusted to you, by
accompanying me faithfully wherever the Petrine ministry has
taken me. The episcopal character will only perfect your
sensitivity and your zeal for the glory of God and the spiritual
edification of the faithful.
4. Dear Brothers, James, Stanislaw and Piero, on the day of your
consecration may a superabundance of divine grace descend upon
you. Today, through St Joseph’s intercession, you are
spiritually welcomed, so to speak, into the home at Nazareth, to
share in the Holy Family’s life. Like Joseph, may you faithfully
serve those whom the Lord will entrust to each of you in the
Church and particularly in the context of the Apostolic See.
“O blessed Joseph, happy man, whose privilege it was not only to
see and hear God, ... but also to carry him in your arms and
kiss him, to clothe him and watch over him”, to you, St Joseph,
silent and faithful servant of the Lord, we commend these
Brothers and their new episcopal ministry. Help them, protect
them, comfort them together with Mary, your Spouse and the
Virgin Mother of the Redeemer.
Amen!
© Copyright 1998 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
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