Apostolic Nuncio on Solemnity of St Joseph at Brompton Oratory

Archbishop Gugerotti Image:AB

The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti encouraged attendees of Mass where he was preaching on the Solemnity of St Joseph, to remodel our decision making on the example set by St Joseph.

Speaking at the London Oratory Church in South Kensington on Friday 19 March 2021, Archbishop Gugerotti urged listeners to have simplicity and a ready courage to listen to the promptings of God.

He gave the example of St Joseph, who, following his engagement in marriage to the young Mary, had to demonstrate extraordinary care and courage in the face of news of her pregnancy.

In the eyes of Jewish law and the community of the time, Mary's pregnancy would be a tragedy and a scandal, with the community ready to condemn her and accuse her of adultery.

However, the Archbishop said of St Joseph: "He is just. Which means to be obedient to the law, but at the same time full of love and tenderness for this girl who he is still persuaded is pregnant with another man, but whom he loves and respects.

"He does not want her to be undergo contemptuous condemnation of the law. He decides to quietly divorce her informally." Thus St Joseph demonstrates wisdom, sensitivity and tenderness even in the face of apparent betrayal.

However, God speaks to the Saint.

"In a dream God tells him not to be afraid but to take the girl as his wife, he can keep Mary with him because she is truly honest."

Joseph's response to the message that Mary is truly honest, and that the child is conceived of the Holy Spirit, is simple, pure, compliance in obeying the will of God by proceeding to take Mary as his wife.

With St Joseph, "there is no objection, no question of 'from what can a child be? How miserable will my life be in a marriage that totally up ends my dreams for a normal fatherhood? What will I feel when the child calls me father? How shall I keep this secret in my heart without sharing it with anyone only with my wife? How strange will be my relationship with this child when this child grows up and I have no authority over him? And when he calls God the Almighty, his Father?'

"Silence. This is his reaction. He perceives that God will save His people through this sacrifice."

Archbishop Claudio contrasted this silent reaction to the tendencies of modern-day society to question God and seek answers and assurance before responding to God's promptings.

"How far we are from this mystery. We are flooded with questions. We want to know all the details before we make a choice. And the answers of course must be convenient for us. They must recognise our dignity and respect our worth. This world is such a slave of its own ego. An ego that multiples the questions in order to avoid any pain in making choices. God has no right to ask something without explaining it".

"And for this reason, our decisions are so far from God, so earthly, so limited. Joseph is the example of what we have lost and what we must rediscover."

"Silence and faith. Only with faith can we take the promptings. Out of pure grace and never because we deserve it."

The Archbishop concluded his Sermon in prayer:""St Joseph man of silence and faith, help us to understand what the accepting the love of God means. Because God the Father, Christ the Redeemer and Holy Spirit, the paraclete will never betrays us."

You can find out more about the Brompton Oratory Church by visiting: www.bromptonoratory.co.uk/

Read a brief biography on the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti: www.cbcew.org.uk/home/the-church/apostolic-nuncio-to-great-britain/archbishop-claudio-gugerotti/