During the last few hours of the year 2006, after an Advent and Christmas celebrations, I would like to draw attention to one of the major persons in the history of Jesus’ life. We heard much about John, the Baptizer, about Mary and about Jesus. Today, a history lesson about another important person sent by the Father, can help us deepen our appreciation of and, perhaps, devotion to, Joseph.
Many of the pseudo gospels that appeared during and after his life, have produced a number of outrageous and seemingly incorrect historical facts about the man. One such is a writing that maintained that Joseph was about ninety years old when he married Mary. Imagine his doing carpentry work at that age!
The facts that the Church relies on are found in initial chapters of Matthew and Luke. He was portrayed as a "righteous" man. He often received his marching orders in dreams. He was Mary’s husband. He traveled to Egypt – most likely to Alexandria, Egypt. On return he settled his family in Nazareth. We know also that when Jesus was twelve years old, Joseph was still alive. It is presumed that Joseph was dead when Jesus was crucified because Jesus entrusted his mother to John.
Dedication and devotion to Joseph was not an early beginner. It took a few centuries for a better understanding of the man and gifts he brings. The first mention about him after the death of Jesus occurs in the 5th century. So three hundred years before his place and work were recognized as avenues to the Father. It was in the Coptic Church (eventually divided by a schism into the Orthodox Coptic and the Coptic Catholic) that Joseph was first mentioned.
The Roman Rite did not dedicate a church to Joseph until 1129. Then there was another hiatus. Not until the 1300s and 1400s did devotion to Joseph begin to grow. The Carmelite and Dominican Orders of priests and religious sisters and brothers fostered devotion to Joseph. St. Teresa of Avila was well known for her devotion to St. Joseph. Another three hundred years and Joseph’s name began to appear on some church calendars.
In the nineteenth century devotion to Joseph grew rapidly. Especially devoted to the working man, this saint became a favorite of the new working classes that were growing as cities industrialized.
Not until 1847 did a feast honoring Joseph make it to the Church’s universal calendar of saints.
In 1870 St. Joseph became the Patron of the Universal Church through the strong efforts of Blessed Pius IX.
Pope Pius XII added the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1st of each year. Blessed John XXIII added Joseph’s name to the 1st Eucharistic Prayer, the Roman Canon, as it is formally titled. Venerable John Paul II was baptized Karol Josef Woytila and our current Pope, is, by name, Joseph Ratzinger.
Beyond all this history, what does Joseph offer. With the little information we have about him, we can see that there are three virtues that dominated his life: DEVOTION, COMPASSION and OBEDIENCE.
In Matthew we learn that Joseph was a "righteous" man — he was devoted to his Jewish faith. Again in Matthew we read how Joseph handled the unexpected pregnancy of Mary. Here and elsewhere Joseph demonstrated a genuine compassion. Lastly, Joseph was a model of obedience. The few times an angel appeared in his dreams. Joseph immediately carried out what he was called upon to do.
Let Joseph be a model for all of us — perhaps with renewed devotion. He may well be the missing link in many families who find life a challenge.
I owe thanks to Paul S. Siebenand of Liturgical Press for having put the historical data together. It made preparing this message so much easier.
Michelangelo's painting of the Holy Family.
Many of the pseudo gospels that appeared during and after his life, have produced a number of outrageous and seemingly incorrect historical facts about the man. One such is a writing that maintained that Joseph was about ninety years old when he married Mary. Imagine his doing carpentry work at that age!
The facts that the Church relies on are found in initial chapters of Matthew and Luke. He was portrayed as a "righteous" man. He often received his marching orders in dreams. He was Mary’s husband. He traveled to Egypt – most likely to Alexandria, Egypt. On return he settled his family in Nazareth. We know also that when Jesus was twelve years old, Joseph was still alive. It is presumed that Joseph was dead when Jesus was crucified because Jesus entrusted his mother to John.
Dedication and devotion to Joseph was not an early beginner. It took a few centuries for a better understanding of the man and gifts he brings. The first mention about him after the death of Jesus occurs in the 5th century. So three hundred years before his place and work were recognized as avenues to the Father. It was in the Coptic Church (eventually divided by a schism into the Orthodox Coptic and the Coptic Catholic) that Joseph was first mentioned.
The Roman Rite did not dedicate a church to Joseph until 1129. Then there was another hiatus. Not until the 1300s and 1400s did devotion to Joseph begin to grow. The Carmelite and Dominican Orders of priests and religious sisters and brothers fostered devotion to Joseph. St. Teresa of Avila was well known for her devotion to St. Joseph. Another three hundred years and Joseph’s name began to appear on some church calendars.
In the nineteenth century devotion to Joseph grew rapidly. Especially devoted to the working man, this saint became a favorite of the new working classes that were growing as cities industrialized.
Not until 1847 did a feast honoring Joseph make it to the Church’s universal calendar of saints.
In 1870 St. Joseph became the Patron of the Universal Church through the strong efforts of Blessed Pius IX.
Pope Pius XII added the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1st of each year. Blessed John XXIII added Joseph’s name to the 1st Eucharistic Prayer, the Roman Canon, as it is formally titled. Venerable John Paul II was baptized Karol Josef Woytila and our current Pope, is, by name, Joseph Ratzinger.
Beyond all this history, what does Joseph offer. With the little information we have about him, we can see that there are three virtues that dominated his life: DEVOTION, COMPASSION and OBEDIENCE.
In Matthew we learn that Joseph was a "righteous" man — he was devoted to his Jewish faith. Again in Matthew we read how Joseph handled the unexpected pregnancy of Mary. Here and elsewhere Joseph demonstrated a genuine compassion. Lastly, Joseph was a model of obedience. The few times an angel appeared in his dreams. Joseph immediately carried out what he was called upon to do.
Let Joseph be a model for all of us — perhaps with renewed devotion. He may well be the missing link in many families who find life a challenge.
I owe thanks to Paul S. Siebenand of Liturgical Press for having put the historical data together. It made preparing this message so much easier.
Michelangelo's painting of the Holy Family.
