Good morning, By My Side friends,
I hope this post finds you well.
This month of June we celebrate and honour fathers – not just for what they provide, but for who they are. They are protectors, guides, anchors, and living reflections of our Heavenly Father’s love. In a world that often overlooks the quiet strength of men who lead with integrity and faith, we pause to give thanks for the gift of fathers.
From the Catholic perspective, fatherhood is a vocation – a path to holiness. It is not simply a role; it is a participation in God’s own fatherhood. As Pope St. John Paul II once said, “In revealing and reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God, a man is called upon to ensure the harmonious and united development of all the members of the family.”
We look to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, as our role model. He stood by Mary, obeyed God’s promptings, and provided for the Holy Family with love, discipline, and unwavering trust. Like St. Joseph, every father is called to guard, nurture, and guide – not only materially but spiritually.
A Catholic father teaches his children how to pray, how to love, and how to live with virtue. He may not always speak with eloquence, but his actions speak the Gospel. His sacrifices – often unseen – are a daily sacrifice. His laughter, his wisdom, his prayers over his family meal or quietly before bed… these are sacred things.
To all fathers: your presence matters. Your leadership matters. Your faith matters. Whether you are a biological father, an adoptive father, a stepfather, a grandfather, a godfather, a spiritual father, or a man who has mentored and stood in the gap for someone – thank you. You reflect the strength and compassion of God.
We especially pray today for fathers who have gone before us, for those estranged from their children, for fathers longing for reconciliation, and for men who are missing their own dads this year. May God the Father bring peace, healing, and hope to your hearts.
May St. Joseph intercede for all fathers today. May you be blessed, encouraged, and filled with the grace to live out your calling with courage and love.
Happy Father’s Day this coming June 15, 2025, dads! You are loved. You are needed. You are a gift.
Love always,
MJ xo
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