Reflecting on St. Joseph as His Year Comes to a Close

To mark the 150^th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed 2021, the “Year of Saint Joseph.”  With the close of the liturgical year on December 8^th drawing near, now is an excellent time to reflect once again on St. Joseph and what is known of him.

Many of us have prayed the Litany of St. Joseph during mass to celebrate the year. This prayer, formally approved by Pope Pius X only 112 years ago, offers a number of titles for St. Joseph. Many of these titles reveal the responsibilities he accepted and serve as an example for us.

St. Joseph the Carpenter

Although very little is revealed in the Gospels about St. Joseph, he was a carpenter. (Matthew 13:55)  Many today falsely claim that St. Joseph lived in poverty. By the prosperous standards of our time, such a claim does not consider conditions common in the 1st century.

St. Joseph was a skilled worker. He was not rich, nor was in poverty, just like carpenters today. St. Joseph even traveled to Bethlehem with a pregnant wife for the Roman census and to pay his taxes. (Luke 2:1-7)  He attempted to pay for space in an inn, but there was no room. (Luke 2:7)

Although carpentry is looked down upon by many of the elitists in today’s world, a learned capable craftsman is valued in any time period. St. Joseph served his fellow man by fashioning useful articles. He did not do it for free. He needed to cover costs for materials and provide for his family. Being a carpenter also meant being a businessman.

This profession earned St. Joseph two titles. He is the Provider for the Son of God. He is also the Model for Workers.

 Joseph the Man of God

Regardless of the harsh times, St. Joseph was a practicing Jew. He followed the Jewish traditions of his time.

St. Joseph was also a kind merciful man. When finding out that Mary was pregnant, he was unwilling to expose her to ridicule. His plan was to divorce her quietly. However, when an angel of God appeared to him in a dream, Joseph honored the angel’s request. He accepted Mary as his spouse. He is Joseph, most obedient. (Matthew 1:18-24)

Keeping with Mosaic law, St. Joseph had his son circumcised and presented the child to his community in the temple. (Luke 2:21-24)  Based on his actions, St. Joseph is titled the Minister of Salvation and Servant of Christ.

Patriarch of the Holy Family

Throughout his life, St. Joseph honored his marriage commitments. St. Joseph was a  carpenter, but his vocation was that of husband and father. St. Joseph was the patriarch of the holy family.

This word, patriarch, has been twisted and slandered in today’s world to mean tyrant and unearned privilege. In reality, a patriarch is the male servant-leader of his family just as a matriarch is the female servant-leader of her family. St. Joseph did not shy from being the his family’s patriarch.  As such, he was granted many titles for this role including Head of the Holy Family, Cornerstone of Families, Light of Patriarchs, and Glory of Family Life,

With Mary as his spouse, St. Joseph honored his duties as husband. He was obedient to God’s direction and was given the names Spouse of the Mother of God, Joseph Most Loyal, and Joseph Most Chaste.

St. Joseph was an engaged parent. He acted as teacher and passed this trade onto his adopted Son. (Mark 6:3)  As a master craftsman teaching an apprentice, Joseph was a Mirror of Patience.

St. Joseph the Protector

At his birth, the Son of God was in harm’s way. Joseph served as protector.

Joseph fled Judea with his wife and infant to escape the massacre of the innocents. Although King Herod was powerful, his reach within the Roman Empire was limited. Roman controlled Egypt provided a haven for the Holy family until Herod’s death. (Matthew 2:13-18)

Even when returning to Judea, Joseph was cautious of Herod’s son, Archelaus. St. Joseph resettled in Nazareth within the region of Galilee away from the new king of Judea. (Matthew 2:19-23)

St. Joseph never abandoned his family even risking the wrath of warlord kings. His steadfastness earned him the titles Guardian of the Redeemer, Pure Guardian of the Virgin, Zealous Defender of Christ, Guardian of Virgins, Terror of Demons, and Protector of the Holy Church.

An Example to Us

Although we know little of St. Joseph through the Gospels, what we do know offers us a true Christian example. For men in particular, St. Joseph is an example of how to be spouse and father.

As stated in the litany, St. Joseph was most just, most prudent, and most brave. He was support in difficulties for his family.

St. Joseph was an honest worker, a man of God, a servant patriarch, and the protector of this family. He is a model for men even in today’s world.

If you are interested in learning more about St. Joseph, you might find the following three CS articles of interest:  “St. Joseph: The Strong, Silent Type”; “Saint Joseph: Silent and Powerful”; and “Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail!”