Joseph, Foster Father of our Lord

Joseph, the “foster father of our Lord” (nutritor Domini), was the legal father of Jesus. Through his genealogical line Jesus is said to be of the house of David. The Gospel records not a single word of Joseph’s. We are told that he was “an upright man.” With prudence and compassion, he fulfilled his duties both to God (through the Deuteronomic law) and to Mary by deciding to divorce Mary “quietly” after she was found to be with child. When, like the Patriarchs of old, he received new instructions in a dream, he responded with the “obedience of faith” (St. John Paul II). Joseph “did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, in each and every event that went to make up his life” (St. Josemaria Escriva). Joseph’s self-gift to Mary and Jesus “fully shares in authentic human fatherhood and the mission of a father in the family” (St. John Paul II). Joseph gave his entire self to serve Jesus and Mary. His character was proven in repeated difficulties – the journey to Bethlehem, the sojourn into Egypt, the loss and then finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary’s self-giving love for each other formed the true and original “domestic church” that protected and nurtured Jesus. Together, they form the model for the Christian family. Having died in the company of Mary and Jesus, Joseph is considered the patron saint of a happy death. In 1870 A.D. Pius IX declared Joseph the patron of the Universal Church. Many saints have recommended his patronage, including Bernardine of Siena, Vincent Ferrer, and Teresa of Avila. According to Teresa, “To other saints our Lord has given power to help in one sort of need, but this glorious saint, as I know by experience, helps us in every need.”