Joseph came to the West Coast in 1931 to minister to a large number of Italian immigrants in the Diocese and throughout California. In 1933 a house was purchased in Santa Cruz to be used as a seminary. In March 1949 the Oblates prayed a novena to their patron, St. Joseph. A benefactor appeared on December 8, 1949, and deeded a parcel of bayside property to them to be used for religious purposes. G
round-breaking for the construction of a seminary and chapel took place on September 30, 1951. By July 29, 1952, the first Mass was celebrated in the chapel. In March 1952 Bishop Willinger had granted permission for pilgrimages to this “shrine.” He blessed the chapel on August 31, 1952, as a “semi-public oratory dedicated to St. Joseph.”
From 1952 until 1992, the construction remained with the incomplete appearance of a crypt. The dream of the early Oblates one day to construct on top a large National Shrine of St. Joseph went unrealized for some forty years. Finally in late 1992 extensive remodeling was begun on the chapel and completed in 1993. On November 3, 1993 the chapel was dedicated by Bishop Sylvester Ryan of the Diocese of Monterey and declared to be a diocesan shrine according to the norms of canon law, with the title “Shrine of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer.” The title is chosen after the name of the apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph, Redemptoris Custos, “Guardian of the Redeemer,” written by Pope John Paul II. Bishop Ryan also encased under the altar a relic of Saint Joseph Marello, Bishop of Acqui and founder of the Oblates of St. Joseph, who recently had been beatified on September 26, 1993, and Canonized on November 25th, 2001. Chapel:
The Shrine chapel continues to serve as a place of devotion for the Oblate religious community and for individual and group pilgrims from near and far. It contains a variety of beautiful devotional artwork, the most striking of which is a six-foot by eight-foot original Italian wood carving of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, Guardian of Jesus, and Patron of the Church. Bookstore:
Guardian of the Redeemer Bookstore and Giftshop specializes in literature and items of devotion relating to Saint Joseph and Saint Joseph Marello, including books in Spanish and Italian. The bookstore serves as the principal outlet for Guardian of the Redeemer Publications. All literature carried is in the spiritual tradition of Saint Marello and in harmony with the authentic teaching and pastoral practice of the Roman Catholic Church. Feasts & Devotions:
Seven Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph: Every Wednesday after Mass. Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: First Fridays. January 23: Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph
March 10-18: St. Joseph Novena
March 19: St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, Patron of the Church
May 1: St. Joseph the Worker
May 30: Saint Joseph Marello, Oblate Founder
Fathers’ Day: Mass offered for fathers, living and deceased, in honor of St. Joseph, Patron of Fathers. Labor Day: St. Joseph, Model of All Who Work. September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows, Patroness of Oblate Vocations
November 3: Anniversary of Dedication of Shrine of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer
November 2-10: All Souls Novena in honor of St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death
November 13: St. Stanislaus Kostka, Patron of Oblate Aspirants
November 26: St. John Berchmans, Patron of Oblate Novices
December 16-24: Christmas Novena
Sunday within Octave of Christmas, or December 30: Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
