In mid-June, we celebrate Father’s Day. More than 100 countries honor fathers and fatherhood on varying dates. I have been blessed with an abundance, including my biological and family fathers, my godfather, fathers-in-law, spiritual priest fathers, and of course God the Father — He being the perfect father. 

 

This holiday is not on the Church’s liturgical calendar, but the Church does teach that fathers are essential in family life and in helping to build a culture of life. 

 

All men are called to the vocation of fatherhood spiritually, Pope Francis has told us. All men can help God’s plan come to fruition by their example. They can help others form and deepen their relationships with God through strong Christian witness. 

 

Our priests are spiritual fathers who nurture our faith. They proclaim God’s Word, minister the sacraments, and spiritually shepherd us. Through our parish priests, we learn we have an identity as children of God the Father through baptism. The order of parish life set by our priests allows us to grow in faith and encourages us to become disciples of Christ freely and intentionally. 

 

Some men are called to live the vocation of fatherhood as biological, adoptive, or as foster dads. A man’s role as a family’s father is to love his wife and children in a unique and irreplaceable manner. In this love, fathers are meant to reveal God’s fatherhood. Fathers are called to attend to the development of each family member and promote the family’s unity and stability. They are called to protect and defend mother and children. They model an adult Christian life to their children. 

 

One example of this fatherly protection comes in a relative of mine, who saw his grandchild growing up in harmful circumstances and intervened. My relative and his wife eventually adopted the child. 

Equally courageous is the unexpected, unmarried father who counsels his partner to choose life and secures emotional, financial, and other necessary support for his new family. 

 

Taking on the mantle of “father,” just as that of “mother,” can be hard. Fathers must not abandon their families by withdrawing their presence or their support — be it emotional, financial, moral, etc. Fear and selfishness may encroach on a father’s heart, leading some to not fully accept the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood. As Catholics, it is important to counter the societal message that fathers are unimportant and that masculinity is a negative trait. We must all encourage fathers to act fatherly and affirm these actions when we observe them. 

 

As we move into June, I think of dear friends who have lost their fathers, and I reflect on my own father who died at an age younger than I currently am. My father’s happy place was on a boat in Lake Michigan, trolling for salmon! Yes, these dads had faults, as we all do. Yet these men died too soon for those who loved them. 

 

The grief of a father’s absence, no matter the reason, may make the third Sunday in June hard for some. The day may be hard too for those men who yearn to be biological fathers or whose own children have died. 

 

The Church holds up St. Joseph as an example of encouragement to fathers. St. Joseph embraced fatherhood after Mother Mary’s unexpected pregnancy and welcomed and cared for Jesus. Joseph bent his will to God’s holy will. May all fathers gain courage from St. Joseph’s example. And may we as faith communities walk with moms and dads in need to allow them to embrace life. 

 

Let us vow to keep all fathers, spiritual or otherwise, in prayer this month. Let us be thankful for these men as they endeavor to act selflessly, as they love and guide those who they name their children.