Article Tools
- Text Size
- Add a comment (4)
- Print-Friendly
- Email this article
This year as you unpack your Nativity set, take an extra moment to look at the figure of St. Joseph.
If your set is typical, you’ll see him as a serene man holding a lantern or a staff. You could hardly find a better visual image of the “faithful and prudent servant” that Jesus commends for watching so carefully over his master’s household (Matthew 24:45).
This is just the way Joseph is described in the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. He is faithful, just, instantly obedient—the ideal earthly father for the Son of God. But if you read these chapters closely, you can glimpse another side: not the finished saint in all his virtue but a good person growing in holiness through testing.
Life didn’t run smoothly for Joseph. Though uniquely blessed in his vocation, he ran into some twists and turns that must have left him deeply mystified. It’s not too hard to picture…
The full article is available to subscribers only
Access all articles, daily meditations and readings, as well as special resources, by becoming a subscriber. View subscription options.
Special Offer: Two week free web-only trial subscription. Sign up now.
Existing Print & Web-Only Subscribers: Login for full access.
I just want to “heap” praise on Ms Perrotta’s article about Saint Joseph. St Joseph seems to be an unsung biblical hero, for that same reason, I welcome Ms Perrotta’s piece and I will certainly be buying her book on that saint (St Joseph: His life and his role in the Church today).
I agree. We seem to forget how important Joseph is in our faiths journey.
For yes , he did indeed walked by faith. He is certainly an example for all .
Kudos!
Agree with both comments above. This article really opened my eyes to seeing St. Joseph as a real man with whom many of us can identify as we go through our own daily struggles and attempt to live with faith. Thanks for such a beautiful article!
I have read many articles on St. Joseph, but this article was one of the best I have ever read. Just wanted to thank Ms Perrotta for her insight and in sharing this with readers.