Catholic Dads

I really appreciated Scott W.’s post on St. Joseph’s Day as a Solemnity.  I would be remiss though if I didn’t add my own post for St. Joseph’s day since I am after all named after him. Plus I want to help this blog community grow, because I think fatherhood is a forgotten “art” in the Catholic world, at least in terms of the online world and this blog is the best at recapturing that “art.”

For my take on St. Joseph’s day, for this post, I won’t go into the prayers or customs of the day. You can find that in many other places, and in fact I included that in my larger post on the subject over at my blog: St. Joseph’s Day.

Instead I would like to talk about my first memories of this Solemnity, or Feast Day, that I remember as a child. You see, it is very easy for days like St. Patrick’s Day to remain on our mind throughout the years because an importance (unfortunately a secular one) has been placed on it. Yet a solemnity, which as Scott W. explained that is so honored and important that it supercedes a friday of lent, is easily forgotten in our culture.

So I wish to tell you a story that has stuck with me since I was a child, and has always made this day special to me – apart from the fact that I am named for the Saint of the day. It has to do with the Swallows and the Mission at San Juan Capistrano (Taken from: Sanjuancapistrano.net):

The miracle of the “Swallows” of Capistrano takes place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistano, on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day.

As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the “miracle” of the return of the swallows.

Each year the “Scout Swallows” precede the main flock by a few days and it seems to be their chief duty to clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the “Old Mission” of Capistrano.

With the arrival of early dawn on St. Joseph’s Day, the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano. The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812.

This Chapel, said to be the largest and most ornate in any of the missions, now has a more humble destiny–that of housing the birds that St. Francis loved so well.

After the summer spent within the sheltered walls of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight again, and on the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling the Mission bidding farewell to the “JEWEL OF ALL MISSIONS” San Juan Capistrano, California.

I know that this isn’t the most holy or pious post, but it reminds me of my childhood. I was told this story every year on this day. I remember not being able to understand “WHY” the birds came back every year on this day? I remember coming up with all sorts of reasons. Yet as I got older it became more and more mysterious and fascinating.

I realize now that it is important to instill tradition and stories into our childrens lives, and to make Catholic tradition a part of our every day lives. The faith is rich with so many traditions, days of adoration and honor, and tools to build our faith and worship God. As a father I plan to make this day important in some small way for my children so the day maintains its importance. Of course in time I will go beyond this pleasant little story and dive deeper into the importance of Saint Joseph. But for now… there is much we can learn from the simple story about birds.

(You can read my full post: St. Joseph’s Day – Ora Pro Nobis)

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