St. Joseph Guardian of Sons Greeting Card (with Prayer for Fatherhood)

Send a greeting to a loved one with our St. Joseph Guardian of Sons Greeting Card!

This painting was made by Melchior Paul von Deschwanden, a Swiss artist, in the 19th century. A tender and contemplative St. Joseph - the foster father of Jesus - is depicted with the child Jesus resting on his lap. Jesus is petting an ewe, foreshadowing his sacrifice as the "Lamb of God," and St. John the Baptist, pictured as a young boy holding a cross with the "Agnus Dei" proclamation, kneels and devotedly kisses Christ's foot. With forehead scrunched in contemplation, the tender foster father of God takes in the scene, presumably contemplating the great sacrifice that his Son will make and the Divinity of his child. A rod of lilies points to his great purity and the legend of how he was chosen to be the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the axe next to him points to the hard work and labor he accomplished for his family throughout his life. The scene takes place in the clouds, a place of heavenly contemplation. As an altarpiece, von Deschwanden's piece rests in Kastelruth, Italy.

On the inside of the card, there is a prayer for fatherhood, making this a perfect card for father's day:

Eternal God, originator of Fatherhood,
I offer to you the blessed office of Father.
May the men who occupy this dignified place
protect and care for their children and wives
with valiant honesty, heroic chastity,
noble humility, and stern sobriety.

Ignite a fire in the hearts of men, O God,
so that they may respond to the Divine call
to fatherhood, both natural and spiritual,
and model themselves after the holy example of
Blessed Joseph, Father of the Universal Church.

Through his intercession, may fathers
be strengthened to flee from sin,
subdue their flesh, wrestle with the
powers of corruption, banish the darkness,
and obtain victory over hell and its agents.

We ask this through our
Lord Jesus Christ, sanctifier of all men,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

This 5"x7" card comes with envelopes and is available in a bundle of 6. Hand-crafted at our shop in Steubenville, OH.

( STC-F1428X )