The Socialists or St. Joseph?

May 1st is the Communist celebration of the worker. Of course, in the commie and socialist states workers are little more than slaves, cogs in the wheel of the progressives' machine feeding the state's voracious appetite. But the reality of near slavery in Communist countries has never kept their rulers from proclaiming them the "workers' paradise." And May Day continues to be a socialist propaganda day as well.

It's no different among the socialists in the U.S. Every year the Alinskyites prowl around the country seeking their socialist goals and power for the organizers. This year they are focusing on "immigration reform" which, sadly, is no reform but the undermining of America as we know it. (Just ask the folks in southern Texas, Arizona, and California.) But for the Alinskyites, immigrants are pawns in their power play.

See May Day! May Day!

The Church, in her wisdom, made the Communist holiday the feast of St. Joseph the worker, a celebration that recognizes not only the dignity of work, but even more, the dignity of the individual worker. Let us pray to St. Joseph for real immigration reform, reform that respects the right of sovereign nations to protect their borders and their grave obligation to defend the safety and cohesion of the nation.

May Day, May Day

Tomorrow is May Day. It wasn't always a Communist holiday, but is now inextricably bound up with Marxist socialism. And if anything shows the link between the Occupy Movement and Communist socialism its the plans for May Day. Communism has always used chaos and violence to advance its objectives and plans for tomorrow indicate some things never change. In New York City the plan is to disrupt the morning commute blocking bridges and streets and engaging in propaganda events everywhere. The LBGT contingent have their own plans.  Occupy is also after the public housing tenants, so just think, your tax dollars will be supporting this anarchy. Some of the events in NYC are permit-allowed, but others are being promoted as non-allowed (read illegal) activities to disrupt the rights of others to go about their business un-harassed.

In Oakland, notorious for Occupy violence, initial plans included closing down the Golden Gate Bridge, but organizers have backed off that threat and aim to just stop ferry service.  A nurses strike that may put local patients lives at risk is also planned.

If you think all this chaos is a spontaneous uprising, you have never studied Marxism (or Saul Alinsky, socialist extraordinaire). Expect to see global activity. Like every other Communist events fomenting chaos this is all about useful dupes and fellow travelers being manipulated in mob tactics to gain power for the few. (Have you ever read Bella Dodd's description of Communism?) Did the Communists ever care about the workers in Russia? Uh...sure they did! That's why all the workers had to stand in line everywhere to buy basic daily necessities. It's why people were jammed into tiny apartments while Communist leaders lived in luxury. But I guess I shouldn't really use the past tense. Communism is not dead. It lives on in the Occupy movement and in the thug tactics of unions like the SEIU and in Alinsky organizing.

But May Day has another connotation, one that gives hope. It's the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. While the Occupy movement raises its fist against heaven, St. Joseph raises his arms, filled with tools, in godly labor. He teaches the dignity and value of work and challenges all employers to pay a fair wage and all workers to give a fair day's work. Tonight my husband and I will say our rosary through the intercession of St. Joseph the worker, that God's will be done on May Day.

St. Joseph the worker, pray for us.

To all you Joe's -- Happy Feast Day!

I have to smile when I think that Joe the Plumber has St. Joseph the worker as his special friend and patron saint. But St. Joseph belongs to all the regular Joes who are fathers as well -- and all foster fathers -- named Tom, Dick, or Harry. They can all claim him for a friend and mentor. St. Joseph has a carpenter's tent big enough for every man no matter who his other patrons are. And what a model he is - real man's man: strong, patient, courageous enough to leave town with his family at night on a road commonly traveled by robbers. No arguments with God, just a hasty response to God's will. Scripture tells us he's a "just man," no small feat in any age. He says not one word in Scripture, but his faithful presence and his prompt obedience to God's will speak volumes.

The following prayer was reportedly found in 50 A.D. It can be prayed as a nine or thirty-day novena and would be particularly appropriate to pray with those in danger of death. Remember that St. Joseph is also the patron of a good death. What a friend to have beside you in your final hours!

O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen

Imprimatur
Most Rev. George W. Ahr
Bishop of Trenton