St. Joseph is known as the Patron of a Happy Death. It is essential to understand the true meaning of the words “a happy death,” even though the dying person may be experiencing great pain from health issues as well as fear and anxiety over the unknown. The term “happy,” in this context, does not connote the emotion of being glad, or even cheerful. Rather, it signifies being peaceful, full of Faith and hope in Jesus Christ, which carries with it a certain joy. Since every person will eventually face death, each one of us needs and wants the help of St. Joseph, our loving spiritual father, on the road of passing from this life to the next.
St. Joseph is called the “Patron of a Happy Death.” He died a blessed and happy death because Jesus and Mary were at his side. His holy death reflected his holy life. St. Joseph was a just man and lived his life loving and serving Jesus and Mary, through being obedient to God’s will.
“The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of our death. In the litany of saints, for instance, the Church has us pray: ‘From a sudden and unforeseen death, deliver us, O Lord’; to ask the Mother of God to intercede for us ‘at the hour of our death’ in the Hail Mary; and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death.” (CCC 1014)
Jesus desires to give us everything we need for the final journey, with the help of St. Joseph interceding for us. Let us “go to Joseph” as our spiritual father, who will lead us to Jesus throughout our lives, and, in a particular way, at the hour of our death.
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Source:
- St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death — Catholic Life [Ann Lankford]
