Did you know that Father’s Day was a day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe dating back to 1508? It was usually celebrated on March 19th, the feast day of Saint Joseph, who is considered the earthly father of Jesus. This celebration was brought to the Americas by the Spanish and Portuguese, and the Catholic Church actively supported that custom of a celebration of fatherhood.
In the United States, Father’s Day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd, who held her father in high esteem. It was celebrated on the third Sunday of June for the first time in 1910 in the state of Washington. Over the years, the idea of Father’s Day became popular. And, in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. Fifty-three years later it is a cherished holiday.
So, today I would like to say Happy Father’s Day to all of our wonderful dads and to all men who have been a ‘dad’ to others in so many ways. We are so very grateful for your love, your tireless energy, and the caring you show in providing for your families in every way. May God bless and protect you always.
Remembering also all our dads who have passed, but live on in our hearts. We miss them so much but hold on to the memories of yesterday that are so much a part of who we are today.
Special congratulations to our first-time dads. Praying for wisdom and strength in your new role. May your children always be a blessing to you.
To dads today who are separated from their children, your pain is not forgotten. Perhaps your beloved son or daughter has died and you are grieving. Possibly you are separated from him or her due to alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration, or a relationship that has broken down for other reasons. We pray for your families and for each of you that our Lord who is the Great Healer will comfort your heartbreak and restore you to wholeness in Him. May Jesus’ Holy Spirit fill you with grace that your faith may not fail and that you may meet your fears and grief with full confidence in the Lord’s mighty power.
Proverbs 20:7 The faithful walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Happy Father’s Day!
