Today the Church is honouring St Joseph, the "just man", who by the work of his own hands, in the humility of the shop in Nazareth provided support for the Holy Family. Today, we celebrate International Workers' Day.

Saint Joseph stands before us as a man of faith and prayer. The Liturgy applies to him the word of God in Psalm 89: "He shall say of me, 'You are my father, my God, the rock, my Saviour'" (v. 27). How many times in long days of work would Joseph have raised his mind to God to invoke him, to offer him his toil, to implore light, help, comfort. With his whole life, he seemed to cry out to God, "You are my father" and receives this most special grace: The Son of God (Jesus) who on earth treats Joseph as his father.

Jesus, who worked at his side with a carpenter's tools, addressed him, calling him "father".

On this Feast Day of Saint Joseph the Worker, let us pray to God asking that St Joseph, a just and faithful worker, be a model and guide to all of us. Thus, we are called to share our talents with others and know the dignity and satisfaction our work provides us.