By Shelley Wolf

ENFIELD – Pope Francis has proclaimed Dec. 8, 2020 to Dec. 8, 2021 as a “Year of St. Joseph” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. There are many who are happy to take the opportunity to honor this sometimes overlooked saint, especially right here in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Aaron Joseph, a parishioner at St. Martha Parish in Enfield, has developed a special love for the saint, who was declared Patron of the Universal Church by Blessed Pope Pius IX. Years ago, Aaron created a lay apostolate to help others grow in devotion to this saint, too.

“He’s the forgotten saint,” Aaron says. “We’re trying to change that.”

Additionally, he points out, St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Hartford, and the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford is named after this great saint.

Aaron’s interest in the saint was sparked back in 1995, while he was praying the rosary. “I was praying the rosary and I felt the presence of St. Joseph,” he says. “He asked me if I’d be willing to learn more about him.” As Aaron learned more, he decided to share some of his findings about this saint the following year through a lay apostolate he calls “SAINT JOSEPH: OUR PATRON.” In time, he also changed his last name to “Joseph” since he was raised in foster care and says he had no attachment to his family name.

Today, Aaron Joseph promotes appreciation for the saint through a website, at conferences and through speaking engagements for parishes and groups. Aaron would like people to appreciate the “universality” of St. Joseph as well as understand his “complementarity” to Jesus and Mary.

Though St. Joseph was a humble carpenter and guardian of Jesus and Mary, he is not only a model for husbands and fathers, Aaron says. He is a universal patron for all.

“The fact that he is the patron of the Church, he’s the patron of each and every member of the Church, not just husbands and fathers but every individual whether male, female, single, married, priest, ordained clergy, religious or lay person. He’s mine, yours and ours. He’s the patron of every one of us,” Aaron stresses.

“Devotion to him is not only universal but complementary to Jesus and Mary,” he adds. “That’s why I promote St. Joseph’s place in the Earthly Trinity, understanding that devotion to these three is complementary and there is really a oneness to this.” Everyone can look to Mary as “Queen Mother,” he says, and to St. Joseph as a “father-in-spirit.”

In the year ahead, Aaron hopes that more people will reflect on St. Joseph. To assist with that, he suggests you visit his website, “SAINT JOSEPH: OUR PATRON,” at: www.ourpatron.net. It includes a prayer to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and links to other select Catholic websites for more resources on St. Joseph. It even points visitors to a shrine to the saint, St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal in Montreal. There are also links to a YouTube channel with recent presentations and interviews Aaron has given about this very special saint.

In addition to promoting this unique lay apostolate during his off-hours, Aaron Joseph works for the Archdiocese of Hartford as staff photographer and media consultant.

Aaron Joseph, creator of the lay apostolate, “SAINT JOSEPH: OUR PATRON,” promotes devotion to St. Joseph. Photo courtesy of Aaron Joseph