St. Joseph Helped Build My Family

We met on his feast day after Maddy’s novena. Two years later, we’re married.

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Maddy prayed a 30-day novena to St. Joseph two years ago with a single intention in mind: that if it was his will, God give her a spouse. That exercise has a special place in Catholic tradition—not only to pray, but to do so through the intercession of those in heaven.

One month later, on March 19, at its conclusion and on St. Joseph’s Day, I met Maddy as best as anyone in the pandemic could: online, for a game of chess. One year later we were engaged. Such were the makings of our devotion to a great saint.

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