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St. Joseph, Protector of The Holy Family

© by Sheila M. Coyle

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Usually, the month of March is associated with shamrocks, parades, and a pint of frothy Budweiser honoring great Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick is mentioned in this month's newsletter, which you can receive by emailing me. This article is about a Saint overlooked during this month in the wake of parades and shiny green leprechaun hats tossed in the wind and after the corned beef and cabbage is devoured. Perhaps Saint Patrick did not like corned beef and is surprised at all the festivities in his honor. This Saint more than likely favors Saint Joseph during March, and honors his place in the history of The Holy Family.

When you try to find out information about Saints, what you get is, 'not much is known...' and the same holds true for Saint Joseph. He is known as the husband of Mary, and foster-father of Jesus. His prominence as Mary's husband and protector of the Holy Family gives him a particular place in the history of the church, and in the world. Many schools and societies are named after him, placing their confidence in his guidance and example of forbearance in the face of adversity.

He was a carpenter and carved tables, chairs and stools, standing in the shavings with his Son, teaching Him the value of work and showing the Child the way. Saint Joseph is patron Saint of workers. The Holy Family is often thought of as poor, yet there is documentation that Joseph provided for his family, and that they lived a comfortable life.

Joseph, though humbly taking his part in the extra-ordinary circumstances of his Son's birth, listened to God, and abided justly by His directives. He had the respect of his wife and Son, which proves that he used his honored position with wisdom, and discretion. Little is written about him in the bible, his place is in the backround, the quiet strength behind Mary, and a force of conduct for his favored Son.

Often depicted in pictures as an elderly father figure, his age is disputed among scholars. Some say he had to be young to take his family on rigorous journeys. However, he could have been older, given the grace of strength for his travels, and most agree that he was probably not that much older than Mary.

Imagine living in those times, fleeing from Roman soldiers, holding the mission entrusted in your heart and never knowing what was beyond the next corner. His mission, and that of Mary's, was never spelled out for them. And like Mary, he was a person of faith. That is how he lived God's will, going from one event to another and acting on the guidance of an angel sent to him in dreams. He viewed his purpose with a clear perspective of the character and virtues of the people around him. His faith was based on a God he trusted, fashioned perhaps on years of sustained belief by the example of his own parents, family and friends.