Bishop's Interview: St. Joseph, pray for us as we rethink our family priorities

Editor: Bishop in December, Pope Francis declared the next year would be dedicated to St. Joseph. Please tell us more about this and how it affects the year of the domestic church?
Bishop Vásquez: Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of St. Joseph from Dec. 8, 2020 to Dec. 8, 2021 in his Apostolic Letter, entitled “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”). The Holy Father describes St. Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.
I am grateful to Pope Francis for giving us this year of St. Joseph, which complements the Diocese of Austin’s Year of the Domestic Church (began on the feast of the Holy Family). In fact, I consider this quite providential because of the importance of fatherhood in society today.
In our world, fathers are not as present to family as they need to be. Many children grow up not knowing their father intimately because fathers spend so much time away from home at work or involved in other activities. This Year of St. Joseph is an opportunity for fathers to rethink priorities. Family life, and in particular married life, must be strengthened. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is the only perfect family, but I believe all families can strive to be good and holy families.
Fathers need to play an active role in the lives of their sons and daughters and be present to them in essential moments of their lives. A good father is present, provides protection, and offers love and security to his children. Therefore, I pray to God that this year, dedicated to St. Joseph, may inspire all fathers, not only those who are biological fathers, but us who are also spiritual fathers, to work to strengthen fatherhood. I encourage all men to read “Patris corde” and to develop a devotion to St. Joseph and seek his guidance to become better fathers.

Editor: You have a particular devotion to St. Joseph, correct?
Bishop Vásquez: Yes, my parents named me Joe (some ask whether I am Joseph or Joe; my given name is Joe). St. Joseph has played an important role in my life and in my vocation. After I was ordained, I was sent to serve at St. Joseph Parish in Odessa. Then I served for 10 years as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Stockton. After that I served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in San Angelo for about five years. And when I was appointed auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston, I lived downtown in the chancery, which was located just two blocks away from St. Joseph’s Hospital.
For most of my life, I have had this great affinity to St. Joseph because I believe he has been caring for me, protecting me and watching over me. I invoke St. Joseph’s intercession frequently as I go about my daily work.
Pope Francis, too, has a particular devotion to St. Joseph. When he was elected pope, he chose the feast day of St. Joseph (March 19) to be the day of his inauguration. Pope Francis also reinserted the name of Joseph into the Eucharistic prayer as a sign of his reverence and love for St. Joseph. Pope Francis keeps a statue of a sleeping St. Joseph on his desk and writes problems he is facing on a piece of paper and places them under the statue as he prays for St. Joseph’s intercession. “Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the church! … So when I have a problem, a difficulty, I write a little note and I put it underneath St. Joseph, so that he can dream about it! In other words I tell him: Pray for this problem!” Pope Francis said. Our Holy Father invokes the intercession of St. Joseph so that God will help him be a good shepherd of us all.

Editor: Moving on to another event coming up, we begin Lent on Feb. 17. How can we use Lent 2021 to refresh our hearts and minds?
Bishop Vásquez: Every Lent is a grace filled moment. It’s a season when we intensify our prayers and when we do acts of charity and mercy. Lent gives us the time to realize what is essential in life. And the most essential aspect of a Christian’s life is Christ. Through the three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we grow closer to Christ during the 40 days of Lent. So that at Easter time we can celebrate with joy and experience the resurrection spiritually within our lives so that we are renewed and recommitted to our faith.
We need to remember those who are going to be welcomed into the church, Lent is a time of final preparations as they prepare to be initiated into the church. At the Easter Vigil, they will be baptized and receive the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation. What a joyful time it is, as we welcome new members to the Body of Christ.

Editor: What are some ways families or domestic churches can celebrate Lent?
Bishop Vásquez: There are many diverse ways, and the diocese has tools to help families at www.austindiocese.org/domestic-church. One of the simplest things families can do is spend time together in prayer. At the end of the day, gather the family to pray simple prayers like the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be or a spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving. As the family shares a meal, reflect on the day and give thanks to God for what he has done in the life of each family member. Families might read and reflect on a passage of Scripture or pray the rosary together.
Families might consider common sacrifices during the season of Lent. For example, children might give up part of their allowance and donate it to helping the poor via Catholic Charities of Central Texas or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Or family members might go through their closets to donate clothes to those in need. If I haven’t worn certain clothes in a year or two, that means I don’t really need them. I can give them away to someone who does have a need for these things.
There are many opportunities for people to experience Lent as a domestic church. Families might go to daily Mass during Lent, or go as a family to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. As I said before, Lent is a time of grace and that grace comes to us in the sacraments and in the sacrifices we make for the good of others.

Editor: What is your prayer as we move into the next phase of this liturgical year?
Bishop Vásquez: God, bring peace to our country. Heal our hearts from division. Help us to recognize the presence of you Son, Jesus Christ, in our brothers and sisters. May the Holy Spirit break down the barriers of separation and unite us in your love. May this Lent be a time of renewal so that all of us may feel that new life Christ wants to pour into our hearts. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us.