For the Catholic Standard's March Junior Saints to mark the Year of St. Joseph in the Catholic Church proclaimed by Pope Francis, students were invited to draw a picture of St. Joseph and write about what they admire about him, or to draw a picture and write about a “good Joe” they know, a Joseph or Joe or Joey or Josephine in their families or among their friends. Over the next weeks, the Catholic Standard will post a selection of students’ drawings and writings about St. Joseph and their “good Joes.”

St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington

Drawing by James Bradley, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“I admire St. Joseph’s unmeasurable faith in God.” – Jafari Moore, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“Out of all of his qualities, the thing that I admire most about St. Joseph was his trust in himself to take the mammoth duty of co-raising the son of God. Knowing that the child your partner had given birth to wasn’t yours, yet still raising the child as your own. Wow! That must’ve taken considerable work to do.” – Alexis Buxo, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

Drawing by Valeria Machado Alfaro, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“After he was told by the angel Gabriel he would be the foster father of Jesus, he committed to the role wholeheartedly.” – Akira Carter and Rakeb Eskinder, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

Drawing by Amara Flowers, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, 

“I admire the fact that Joseph had faith, passion, and love for his family. Joseph was also dedicated to God in prayer and worked hard to be a father figure to Jesus.” – Isaac Ithalie, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

Drawing by Immaculate Ithalie, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“I admire St. Joseph because he worked hard, and he said ‘yes’ to being the earthly father of Jesus. I admire him because he seldom complains even when things are really difficult, like when he could not find a place for his wife to stay. I also admire him because even though Jesus was not his son, he raised him and showed him love and affection.” – Thorne Small, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

 “I admire how Joseph was always working for his family, and how he passed on his profession to his child, Jesus.” – Marvelous Umoren, seventh grade, St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville

Drawing by Janica Belen, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland

“I admire St. Joseph because he never gave up on baby Jesus. St. Joseph’s feast day is March 19 and is the same day as my sister’s birthday.” – Apal Parek, second grade, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland

“I admire St. Joseph because he traveled very far with Mary. St. Joseph’s feast day is March 19, which is also my birthday. St. Joseph never gave up on Mary and Jesus…” – Ajak Parek, fourth grade, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville

St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington

Drawing by Ella Lutalo, seventh grade, St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“A person who protects and provides for me like St. Joseph is my big sister, and her name is Brenana. She teaches me about safety, buys food and water for me and makes sure I am healthy and not hurt.” – Sophia Jackson, third grade, St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“The people who protect and provide for me like St. Joseph are my mom and dad. My dad protects and provides for me by giving me shelter, providing me food and for also giving me a good education. My mom protects and provides for me by cooking for me, (she) almost sacrificed her life for me, and helping me believe in myself. Also my teacher provides me a good education.” –  Drawing and writing by Naomi Tewelde, second grade, St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“There are many people in my life that act like St. Joseph, like my mom and dad…” – Drawing and writing by Bethelem Barka, third grade, St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

“My mom and dad protect and provide for me like St. Joseph. The first reason is because they want me to have a good life. The second reason is because they want me to have a good education…” – Kaine Mbah, third grade, St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.

Ascension Parish, Bowie

“Father Joseph Calis (currently pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Silver Spring) is holy especially because of his generosity. He never thinks about himself, but always about others and their needs.” – Drawing and writing by Lexi Centeno, fifth grade, religious education program, Ascension Parish, Bowie, Maryland

Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown

“Joseph inspires me by his kindness, courage and willingness to work for the basic needs of his family. Working as a carpenter isn’t easy, especially when they didn’t have the tools we do today. He was a very inspiring person in the Bible.” – Drawing and writing by Sarah Lowe, fifth grade, Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown, Maryland

Drawing by Ella Hamm, fourth grade, Father Andrew White, S.J. School, Leonardtown, Maryland

St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

“I admire that he managed to remain a humble man while living between the world of God and the ordinary world of Earth.”  – Drawing and writing by Elise Gomez, fourth grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

Drawing by Sophia Delaney, fifth grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda

Drawing by Daniel Delaney, third grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

 “St. Joseph, caring father” – Drawing by Theo Huntley, third grade, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Bethesda

St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“St. Joseph obeyed God and took care of Mary and Jesus. St. Joseph highly regarded the Lord. St. Joseph is a role model of great honor.” – Drawing and writing by Kayla Tatum, seventh grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“What I admire about St. Joseph is that he is the patron saint of workers, meaning he serves as a spiritual reminder for those putting their lives on the line during the pandemic.” – Numvi Fofung, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“What I admire about St. Joseph is how he did everything he could to help his family and to take care of Jesus, and also the fact that he literally took care of Jesus, the son of God.” – Edwin GironAyala, sixth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“Some things I admire about St. Joseph is that he was a great father and that he obeyed God…”  – Drawing and writing by Lindsey Rivadeneira, sixth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“In the front, Ruth is there. Then, next is King David. After that, there is Mary and Joseph. Lastly, there is Jesus. I wanted to show that when you do good, you get good back. All these people did good and got good back. I also wanted to make it seem like it was like a family tree. I admire St. Joseph because he was a good earthly father to Jesus, and a good husband to Mary. He was a good man.” – Payton Regis, sixth grade, St. Mary’s School Landover Hills, Maryland 

“Something I admire about St. Joseph is his dedication to God. St. Joseph would never question God’s command and would do it instantly. Something else I admire about him is how he and Mary raised Jesus into who he is now.” – Nyah Carter, seventh grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“I once knew a boy named Joey when he was a youngster. I first met him at a salon to do my mom's hair. His mom worked there. That was in pre-K when I still had braids in my hair. He was one of my first friends. He also opened me to things I still like today like Sonic and anime. I was really thankful to have had him as a friend.” – Zayden Idrache, seventh grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“I love how St. Joseph took care of Jesus while growing up. He was an amazing father figure of Jesus, even though it wasn’t his child. He helped support both Jesus and Mary. He was a very caring, kind, loving person, and he helped his community.” – Amanda Cole, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland 

Drawing by DeMario Moore Jr., seventh grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“St. Joseph is the patron saint of the universal Church, (and) he’s also known as the secondary father of Christ after God. Joseph was a good man, he constantly prayed and followed the laws of God… We all should strive to be like Joseph, kind, courageous and willing to give up what we love for God.” – Asaad Donaldson, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills, Maryland

“What I admire about St. Joseph is he was obedient. He listened to God and angels. He led his family to Egypt. He introduced Jesus to synagogue worship. He’s a man of silence and strength…” – Rexton Eboi, fourth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“What I admire about St. Joseph is that he was a humble man. He did not complain about his work as a carpenter. He was a loving husband. He cared for Jesus…” – Tobi Ingram, fourth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“What I admire about St. Joseph is he is a loving father. Somebody I know who is a loving father is my father. My picture represents an angel looking over Jesus Christ and St. Joseph.” – Drawing and writing by Ailey Williams, sixth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“What I admire about St. Joseph is he likes his job. He worships God and cares for people.” – Aniyah Lewis, fourth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

“My mom’s friend named Joe is always nice to me. He gives me good life lessons and food. Joe is like a brother to my mom and an uncle to me.” – Drawing and writing by Laila Harrington, eighth grade, St. Mary’s School, Landover Hills

April Junior Saints

Drawing by Michael Hernandez, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland

In April, we celebrate Easter. For the April Junior Saints online children’s section of the Catholic Standard, students are invited to draw a picture of Jesus, and write about what Easter means to them. The drawings and writings should be emailed to mark@cathstan.org by April 14 to Mark Zimmermann, the Catholic Standard's editor, and they should include the name, grade and school or parish of the student printed clearly.