On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis offered the faithful an Apostolic Letter entitled Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart). Simultaneously, he proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” with the aim of increasing “our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.”
Blessed Pius IX named Saint Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church–but why?
This letter begins as follows:
“WITH A FATHER’S HEART: that is how Joseph loved Jesus.”
Pope Francis then describes Saint Joseph’s fatherhood according to seven aspects:
- as a beloved father
- as a tender and loving father
- as an accepting father
- as a creatively courageous father
- as a working father, and
- as a “father in the shadows.”
Pope Francis says that his letter simply presents “some personal reflections on this extraordinary figure [St Joseph], so close to our own human experiences.” This is a gentle invitation for each of us, especially we husbands and fathers, to discover in Saint Joseph a man with whom we can identify.
Of course, Saint Joseph’s role in the history of salvation as husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus was singular and unique.
But isn’t every father’s role in a particular child’s life also singular and unique? And Joseph was not sinless or immaculately conceived, but a human person born in Original Sin just like all of us. For this reason, pondering Joseph’s “father’s heart” is something we can relate to, draw near to, appreciate, learn from, and seek to imitate.
So much of his life also applies to many men today: he was asked to became a father to a child who was not his biological son, he discovered in his marriage many situations which he could not anticipate, and he had to protect and defend his family from dangers which unexpectedly arose around him.
In all the challenges he encountered, he willingly and immediately obeyed God in faith: he acted as a father and husband should act.
Blessed Pius IX: to Joseph “God entrusted His most precious treasures.”
With the obedience of faith, Joseph took Mary his wife and her Divine Child into his home to be in all ways the husband and father.
Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife,
for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;
she will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save H,is people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
Leading up to the March 19th Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, reflect briefly on each of the seven aspects of Saint Joseph’s fatherhood as presented in Patris Corde—and with Saint Joseph’s help, enter into his “father’s heart.”
A Beloved Father
The Scripture offers many proofs that Saint Joseph acted in all ways as the father of God’s Son, and that to all witnesses Jesus was accepted as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55).
Pope Saint John Paul II recounts in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer) the numerous examples of fatherly duties which Saint Joseph performed:
- he named the child
- he recorded the child in the Roman census
- he was there at the birth of Christ
- he exercised the “first religious obligation of a father” by getting his son circumcised
- he fulfilled the next obligation of ransoming the firstborn–the Presentation in the Temple
- the angel was sent to tell him to act to protect the child and His mother from Herod
- for years in Nazareth, he educated Jesus and supported the family through his work
For all these reasons, even Mary calls Joseph the “father” of Jesus (Luke 2:48), and Jesus Himself was “obedient to” Joseph (Luke 2:51) as He grew.
Contemplate all this means in his life–and as an example to us
Saint Joseph was the head of the Holy Family and placed his authority and strength completely at their service in the ordinary ways of his human vocation, to the exercise of domestic love. He did so with all his heart, mind, and ability.
Before God, he embraced the duties of his home, workshop, and community, and by doing so, he lovingly served the entire plan of salvation that was mysteriously unfolding around him and within him.
The Christian people have always venerated Saint Joseph, realizing how faithfully, deeply, and devotedly he loved Jesus and Mary. Over the centuries, Catholics have continuously turned to Saint Joseph, seeing him as “a beloved father” on whom they can rely, not only for help in troubled times but to inspire them (and us) to love our family the way he loved his.
So, “Go to Joseph!” frequently in the next seven weeks. Cultivate a love for this great saint who lived so close to Jesus and Mary while on earth and who dwells with them in Heaven now.
Ask for his intercession to obtain the grace to live the duties of your state in life with great love.
Go to Joseph!
PS Want to introduce your children to Saint Joseph? Let them learn about his life, what he did, what the angels whom God sent to him had to say? Here are great conversation starters:
- Our big 17-page Story of Saint Joseph coloring pages download and
- Glory Stories volume 3 which has “From an Angel in a Dream: The Story of Saint Joseph” on audio CD (the CD also includes the story of Saint Katherine Drexel–whose feast day is March 3rd) or MP3 –– let them listen to the story and ponder it in their hearts! A man of few words, but clear actions–which speak so loudly if you contemplate them (and children do contemplate).
Lead art director, designer, and illustrator for Holy Heroes branded products and services. Chris contributes continuously to the creation, development, and production of our new printed products; books, calendars, pamphlets, activity pages, posters, journals, packaging, games, and more. He believes wholeheartedly in the mission of Holy Heroes and works hard to help you bring the joy of the Faith to your family!
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