Life is a journey! And who better to journey with, especially for men, than St. Joseph? While hiking in Lantau recently, going up a steep mountain and approaching the Trappist monastery, I saw green and blue handrails that people can hold for support, which reminded me of St. Joseph and Blessed Virgin Mary guiding us as we follow Jesus in our path of faith.
About my “Epiphany”, I need to thank Father Jojo Peter Ancheril, who invited me, as well as Peter Pang, to write books about St. Joseph to conclude the Year of St. Joseph. I was asked to write in English and Pang in Chinese. With a big smile, he wouldn’t accept “no thanks” or “I’m just a layman” or “I’m too busy” for an answer.
So, thanks to Father Ancheril, there are now two devotional books, Journey with Joseph in English and 31 Days with St. Joseph in Chinese, available via Claretian Publications here in Hong Kong.
Last week the world celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, fittingly in this “Month of Mary.” It reminds us that in any emergency, pandemic, or difficulty, it’s always a good time to “Go to Joseph!” (Genesis 41:55). Just like Father Ancheril encouraged us, just like Pope Francis declared to us, just like St. Teresa of Avila dared us, just like St. Josemaría Escrivá told us, “Get close to Joseph, and you will find Jesus!”
And thanks to all our amazing priests of Hong Kong for encouraging us, your “spiritual children”, to get out of our comfort zones at times and get closer to Jesus! Thank you! St. Joseph, pray for us!
John Lewis
