{"id":17267,"date":"2014-03-19T06:01:33","date_gmt":"2014-03-19T11:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/kathyschiffer\/?p=17267"},"modified":"2016-09-30T15:53:25","modified_gmt":"2016-09-30T20:53:25","slug":"be-close-to-your-children-pope-francis-st-joseph-day-message-for-fathers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/kathyschiffer\/2014\/03\/be-close-to-your-children-pope-francis-st-joseph-day-message-for-fathers\/","title":{"rendered":"“Be Close to Your Children”: Pope Francis’ St. Joseph Day Message for Fathers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u201cBe close to your children,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> Pope Francis said today to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter\u2019s Square. \u00a0\u201cThey need you. \u00a0Just as St. Joseph was close to Jesus in his physical, psychological and spiritual growth, you too must be guardians in age, wisdom and grace.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

* \u00a0 \u00a0 * \u00a0 \u00a0 * \u00a0 \u00a0 * \u00a0 \u00a0 *<\/p>\n

Every Wednesday, crowds gather in St. Peter\u2019s Square<\/strong> at 11 a.m. to hear the Holy Father teach about matters of faith, and to receive his apostolic blessing. \u00a0Today, on the Feast of St. Joseph, Pope Francis held up Jesus\u2019 earthly father as a model for all fathers and educators.<\/p>\n

He focused in his meditation on three aspects of St. Joseph\u2019s life and mission:<\/strong><\/p>\n