St. Jude Catholic Church

Year of St. Joseph Advent Challenge:
Walk to Bethlehem with the Holy Family

Advent is the time of year when we take up special prayers and devotions with our families to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
This Advent, during the Year of St. Joseph, we’re inviting families to consider doing a more physical form of devotion in honor of the physical labors St. Joseph endured for the sake of the Holy Family. This was strikingly evident in how he, in obedience to God, led the pregnant Mary on a 90-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem where the Divine Child was destined to be born.

During the season of Advent the Holy Family was on the move, relying unshakably on God’s providence for the challenges they would face as they prepared for the birth of Jesus. Imagine the thoughts that transpired in the heart of St. Joseph, and the conversations he had with Mary, during this holy pilgrimage to Bethlehem!

To learn from St. Joseph’s example of trust and reliance on God, we encourage families—especially men and fathers—to spiritually accompany St. Joseph as he leads the Holy Family to Bethlehem by walking from 9 up to 90 miles during the four weeks of Advent.

The Year of St Joseph Advent Challenge:
· Resolve to walk from 9 up to 90 miles during the Advent season in imitation of St. Joseph's journey to Bethlehem
· Encourage your family to join you as a family devotional activity as often as possible each week
· While walking, pray the Holy Rosary and/or contemplate the admirable life and virtues of St. Joseph
· Make a holy intention for this activity: that your family will be strengthened in God’s grace through the intercession of St. Joseph, the patron of fathers and families. Include a special intention for each member of the family!

Without doubt this time spent imitating the example of labor, obedience, trust, and perseverance exemplified so perfectly by Joseph and Mary will draw our minds and hearts closer to God and to our families during this Advent season. St. Joseph, pray for us!

Find more information at: www.YearofStJoseph.org/Advent