St. Joseph & Fatherhood

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Saint Joseph has appeared in my life recently in a multitude of ways.  While not being Jesus’ biological father, Saint Joseph represents fatherhood by showing authentic love, caring for Jesus, and giving him every opportunity he could.  Saint Joseph taught Jesus carpentry, as well as compassion.  Many of the traits that Saint Joseph showed to Jesus are also embodied in my own life, by my own father. A few weeks ago, I learned that my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a horrible disease that has tested the strength and faith of my family. For the past 22 years, my father has shown the traits of Saint Joseph, by putting my siblings and me first, driving us to Mass as well as sporting games, and encouraging us in all our endeavors. But now, the roles are reversed. For the first time in my life, my father is the one needing the encouragement and the strength to get through all things. Saint Joseph stressed the importance of patience. From the time I learned of the mass in my father’s pancreas to the final diagnosis many weeks later, my patience has been tested. I firmly believe that God does everything with a purpose. God does not enjoy watching us suffer, but he will always be by our side throughout it every step of the way.  Saint Joseph was there for all of Jesus’ life, teaching him traits that guided him throughout my life.

Fathers are not born but made.  The Pope once wrote, “A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child”. Being a father does not just mean you have a child that you brought into this world. Being a father comes with the innate responsibility that you will love this human with every ounce of love in your body. The same goes for being a son. Being a son does not mean that you simply have 2 parents. Being a son, in my own eyes, means that you will give everything for your parents, just as they would do for you. This Thanksgiving break, I am thankful that I get every opportunity to spend time with my father, encourage him to keep fighting through his chemo and keep the faith. Tough times do not last, but tough, resilient people do. I do not think it is a coincidence that my father’s name is Thomas Aquinas Mulquin, just like the name of the STA church at UVA. Each time I walk into STA to pray, I remind myself of the duties of a loving son, as well as the duties of a loving father. During the coming weeks of this Christmas season, thank your parents for all they do and remember the role of fatherhood, which was so beautifully taught to Jesus by Saint Joseph. 

My name is Will Mulquin, I am a 4th-year Electrical Engineering major from Mclean, VA.  2 fun facts: I played college basketball at The Catholic University of America for 2 years before transferring to UVA.  I enjoy crosswords and sudoku.