Dear Parish Family,
 
AMEN ! Countless times we say this word during Mass and after prayers. We offer this as a concluding word or as a response. It comes to us from the Greek word, meaning “so be it”, from Hebrew or Semitic meaning “firm, fixed or sure”, from English meaning “virally or truly”, and in Arabic “Amin”. This four-letter word expresses strong agreement, certainty, and faithfulness. Jesus used this word twice when He said “Amen, Amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word, will never see death.” He was telling us this is important and was His promise of eternal life and the promise of heaven. It was also an example of His trustworthiness and absolute truth.
 
I wanted to know who of our Catholic saints was the Patron Saint of Amen.  St Joseph of Betrothed was the model of being a protector, provider, courageous and strong.  This term does not imply intimate relations of a marriage, but was of an elderly relative of the Blessed Mother. Although he did not know the fullness of God’s plan, when asked he obediently said “Amen – I trust, and I believe.” God asked St Joseph the Betrothed to become the guardian of the teen aged Virgin Mary.
 
Do you remember Sydney Poitier who played an itinerant African American worker in the movie “Lillies of the Field” teaching the East German Sisters of Walburg the song Amen while helping them to build a chapel in the desert? Hum it and the word “Amen” comes to life.
 
Mary Jo