So, I'm painting a small retablo of St. Joseph.

San Jose

Just some thoughts ...

I wish I could paint as simply as the santeros in New Mexico - their simple compositions are lovely.  I was going to do a simple New Mexican style retablo, then I added layers of paint detail and complicated it.  I'm not an artist or a santero - but I love the piece anyway, because it is San Jose, my dad.

Never try to figure him out - St. Joseph - let him near you - or you go to him and don't think about what his hidden life was like - just draw near him, and he will teach you silently, albeit obscurely.

I was thinking if I charged just for my time spent on the materials, prep-work, and painting - my art would be very expensive.  I think I'm going on 16 hours for this piece.

I don't care though.  Never did.  I'm content with a sufficiency. (1 Timothy 6:6)

Painting St. Joseph, no matter how badly it turns out, is a way for me to get close to him.

His feast day is coming up soon.

S. Felipe de Jesus

Go to St. Joseph during the novena in preparation for his feast day...

Go to him just the way you are.

There are a lot of people giving up - or at least tempted to do so.

Go to St. Joseph instead.  Tell him about yourself and ask him to help you.

You like sin?  You're not able to break with it - because you maybe don't really want to?

You want to be left alone?

Tell him.

Ask him to help you.  Just to help you.

He knows what you need.

He's an ordinary saint - he is also a wonder-worker - but never be intimidated.  He's a guy, a man, a friend, a dad ...

I just read a couple of blog posts and it sounds like some people might be on the verge of giving up.

Catholics have a lot of rules and a lot of people want to make sure you know you aren't living up to them.  You feel like crap because you can't measure up to other's expectations?

Tell St. Joseph and ask him to help you.  Remind him every so often during the day.  Go to him, saying:

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, 

that never was it known that anyone who implored your help 

and sought your intercession were left unassisted.

Full of confidence in your power 

I turn to you and beg your protection.

Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, 

but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

Thank you O holy father St. Joseph.