St joseph who is

Our individualistic culture embraces values directly opposed to his witness. He continues to oversee the household of the Church and provides a fatherly model for leading the Christian home. Fathers, in particular, have the greatest influence on the faith of their children, as many studies have demonstrated. Fathers can learn through Joseph the courage and sacrifice needed to steer their families away from the threats that seek to harm their children.

Just as Joseph had to make great sacrifices to keep his family safe from Herod, so do fathers have to prioritize the safety of their families from the many dangers that constantly assault their children, be they clear physical threats or insidious risks such as those presented through technology and media. The Year of St. Joseph gives us an opportunity to develop a stronger relationship with our adoptive spiritual father. As the patron of the Church and families, we need to turn to Joseph for help.

Here is a great prayer from St. All Rights Reserved. Sunday, November 14, What can we help you find? His Church. Our Experience. On Mission. Know the Eucharist, know your vocation. Joseph; register for this Oct. Toggle navigation. Search Catholic Online. We ask you, humbly, to help. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help.

If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Thank you. Continue reading about St. Jose Maria Rubio St. Joseph Fun Facts. More Saints Search Search Saints. Trending Saints: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini St. Lawrence O'Toole St. Joseph St. Francis of Assisi. We have some mention of devotion to Joseph in the 8th Century. Popular art has not always helped the cause of St Joseph. He has often been portrayed as a venerable old figure standing chastely beside the beautiful Mary, dispelling any impression of the prospect of romantic love between the couple!

The Joseph of history was probably about 20 years old when he married Mary, a vital young Jew with all the emotions, struggles and trials of a Jewish man in the political cauldron of living in first century Palestine. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. How his heart must have been broken!

Nevertheless, the Angel of the Lord appeared to St. Joseph in a dream, revealed to him that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and commanded that he take Mary as his wife and Jesus as his own Son.

Without question or hesitation, St. Joseph did as the angel commanded. Here again, we see the important role of Joseph: He is to take Jesus as his own Son and to name him, thereby giving Him legal recognition and legal personhood. Please note that the foregoing understanding of the annunciation is the traditional one. Some individuals have speculated that St.

Joseph knew that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and thereby felt unworthy, even afraid, to marry her and accept this responsibility; therefore, he decided to divorce her quietly. However, why then would the angel later tell St.

Joseph in the dream that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit? The traditional understanding is still the best one. Joseph fulfilled his obligations courageously. Throughout the gospel he faithfully and unquestioningly obeyed the commands of God: taking his family to the safety of Egypt to flee the wrath of King Herod; returning to Nazareth; presenting his child in the Temple for circumcision and formal presentation; and traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

He accepted the responsibility of his vocation— being the faithful spouse and father. He provided the best he could for his family, whether that meant the stable in Bethlehem or the home in Nazareth. Joseph and Mary present Jesus at the Temple, they offer two turtle doves as a sacrifice, an exception made for poorer families who could not afford the usual offering of a lamb. To provide for his family, St. Joseph worked as a carpenter.