March is a month of preparation and discipline this year. It marks the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday—a stark reminder of our mortality and the necessity of repentance. In addition, the month is dedicated to St. Joseph, the model of manhood, fatherhood, and silent strength. These two realities—Lent’s demand for sacrifice and St. Joseph’s example of steadfast obedience—set the tone for what Catholic men must embrace this month: a deeper commitment to faith, family, and discipline.

The ashes of Ash Wednesday are not a decoration or a sentimental tradition. They are a battle cry. “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” is not meant to make us feel good. It is meant to wake us up. Too many men walk through life distracted, caught up in comfort, entertainment, and routine. The ashes remind us of the simple, brutal truth: one day, we will die, and the only thing that will matter is whether we lived for God.

Lent is a training ground for Catholic men. It is the time to strip away excess, kill sin, and refocus on Christ. It demands fasting, prayer, and almsgiving—three disciplines that separate the weak from the strong. Fasting is not just about skipping meals; it is about mastering the body, proving that our stomachs, impulses, and cravings do not rule us. Prayer is not about vague spirituality; it is about kneeling before God daily, acknowledging our dependence on Him. Almsgiving is not just charity; it is detachment from wealth, breaking our addiction to comfort.

Weak men avoid these things. They make excuses, negotiate the bare minimum, or wait for motivation. But Catholic men are called to something greater. Lent is the season to harden ourselves for spiritual battle, to sharpen the will, and to take back what sin and laziness have stolen.

If there is any saint who embodies the discipline and strength Lent requires, it is St. Joseph. The world today wants men to be passive, indecisive, and soft. Joseph was none of these. He was a man of action, faith, and self-mastery. He did not need applause or recognition—he simply obeyed God and protected his family.

Scripture records no words from Joseph. Not one. But his actions speak volumes. When God commanded, Joseph acted. He took Mary as his wife despite the potential scandal. He led his family into Egypt without hesitation when Herod sought to kill Jesus. He worked as a carpenter, providing for Christ and Our Lady through sheer effort and sweat. Joseph did not ask for explanations or assurances—he obeyed and did what needed to be done.

This is precisely what Catholic men must learn from him. Too many today hesitate when God calls them to action. They delay responsibility, avoid commitment, and let others lead. But Joseph reminds us that true manhood is found in quiet obedience, in protecting what is sacred, and in working tirelessly for the good of others.

The connection between Lent and St. Joseph is clear: both require sacrifice, discipline, and unwavering faith. Lent calls us to mortify our bodies, master our desires, and put God first. St. Joseph lived this reality daily. He knew hardship, labor, and uncertainty, yet he remained faithful without complaint.

So how do we, as Catholic men, follow their example this March?

1. Embrace Fasting Like a Man – Go beyond the minimal requirements. Skip more meals, cut out unnecessary comforts, and let hunger remind you that your body is not in charge—you are.
2. Pray Like a Son, Lead Like a Father – Make prayer the foundation of your day. Lead your family in prayer, whether it’s the Rosary, scripture, or a simple blessing before meals. Stop making excuses.
3. Work and Provide Without Complaint – St. Joseph did not seek praise for his labor. He worked because that was his duty. Take pride in providing for your family, working hard, and doing what is needed without seeking recognition.
4. Defend Purity and Holiness – Lent is the time to kill sin. If impurity, laziness, or vice has a hold on you, cut it off now. Make a good confession and fight for the virtue that Joseph lived.
5. Serve Without Seeking Credit – Too many men look for appreciation before they act. St. Joseph did his work in the background. Take responsibility without waiting for thanks.

In conclusion, Lent is not comfortable. Neither is being a man. But both are necessary. A Lenten March calls us to step up, to fast, pray, and give without hesitation. It calls us to embrace suffering, not as a burden, but as a means to holiness. St. Joseph gives us the example. Christ gives us the mission. Now, it’s up to us to answer the call. Will we rise to the challenge, or will we remain passive? The choice is ours.