Litany of St. Joseph: A Role Model for Fathers Today III

1. The Crisis of the Family

In our time, the family is undergoing an unprecedented crisis. Marriage rates have plummeted, divorce rates remain high, and many children grow up without the stable presence of both parents. Cultural forces demean the significance of marriage and family life, replacing them with transient relationships based on convenience or personal fulfillment. Economic pressures and ideological movements have further weakened the bonds that unite husbands and wives, fathers and children. The results are seen in the rise of loneliness, depression, and social fragmentation. The crisis of the family is a crisis of civilization itself. Without the stabilizing, nurturing influence of the family, individuals and communities lose their way.

1. Crisis in Fatherhood: Note Recent Catholic Authors and Their Books (UVA)

The crisis in fatherhood has received special attention from Catholic scholars and authors. At the University of Virginia and beyond, recent works have explored the deep wounds caused by absent or passive fathers. Authors like Devin Schadtin his book Joseph’s Way: The Call to Fatherly Greatness (Ignatius Press, 2014) emphasize the importance of modeling fatherhood on Saint Joseph’s virtues of humility, sacrifice, and steadfast love. Similarly, Fr. Gerald E. Murray has written powerfully in essays such as “The Crisis of Fatherhood: Confronting Our Failure” published in The Catholic Thing (2021), highlighting the moral and societal collapse that follows from the abdication of paternal responsibility. Although not specifically Catholic, David Blankenhorn‘s influential book Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem (Basic Books, 1995) has been widely cited by Catholic thinkers for its sober assessment of the societal impact of widespread fatherlessness. These authors collectively argue that reclaiming the vision of fatherhood rooted in service, leadership, and love is essential for renewing both the Church and the broader society.

Mid 80-90s Daniel Moynihan, African American community, late 60-70 25% fatherlessness. Now, 75-80% fatherlessness.

Hopefully pendulum has swung as far as it can.

Children as adult can articulate harms of divorce.

As an adult, be an adult. Keep mouth shut instead of arguing in front of children.

No fault divorce, whims, great harm.

Harm the family, large flesh wound for all.

Brad Wilcox, go 5 years out from crisis point, the couple stayed together are happier than those divorced. Stay, learn to adapt.

Not extreme cases of abuse. Leave to safety and help

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