The Strong, Silent Type
By Mary Frances Myler
St. Joseph inhabits a quiet space within our Catholic tradition. He is, of course, the father of the Holy Family but, unlike Jesus and Mary, he remains silent in Scripture. He was entrusted with the ‘silent years’ of Christ’s life––the years preceding his public ministry––so Joseph’s own silence is fitting. He draws attention not to his own words, but to the Word himself. In Joseph’s life, we find a beautiful posture of strength and humility which at all times points to Jesus.
The little we know of Joseph’s life comes from Scripture. The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus in which Joseph plays an important role. Through Joseph, Jesus is part of Israel’s royal lineage and a descendent of the great patriarchs. Joseph’s (and thereby Jesus’) heritage is nearly synonymous with the history of Israel itself. Yet, his life reminds us that Jesus comes not only as the descendent of notable names and earthly powers but also as the son of those who fall by the wayside when history is written. Joseph is a humble carpenter, an ordinary man of extraordinary faith. He remains in the background of salvation history, playing a vital role but never seeking recognition.
Joseph remains silent as Matthew’s infancy narrative continues, but the Gospel paints a subtly vivid picture of his character. When he was uncertain about Mary’s pregnancy, an angel appeared to him in a dream. Joseph humbly accepted his mysterious role in the unfolding mystery of the Incarnation (Matthew 1:18-25). After the nativity, he led the Holy Family into Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution, living as refugees until the danger passed (Matthew 2:13).
In these instances, Joseph’s actions speak louder than words. He did not hesitate, but accepted God’s will, trusting that God would lead him through the uncertainty and contingency as Jesus entered the world. He faithfully endured the anxiety of fleeing persecution and seeking safety for his family. Surely this was not the life he had imagined or planned, but Joseph trusted that God would provide for him and his family.
Indeed, St. Francis de Sales contemplated Joseph’s continuous surrender to the will of God, writing:
The anxiety [of not knowing the future] must, undoubtedly, have greatly afflicted and tormented his poor heart; nevertheless, he remained always the same, always gentle, peaceful, and persevering in his submission to God’s good pleasure, by which he let himself be completely led.
Seeking always to love and lead his family, Joseph knew that true strength is found in humility, and true peace is found in abandonment to grace. In the recent apostolic letter “Patris Corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”) Pope Francis comments on Joseph’s remarkable virtue:
In every situation, Joseph declared his own “fiat”, like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. [… Joseph] teaches us that amid the tempests of life, we must never be afraid to let the Lord steer our course. At times, we want to be in complete control, yet God always sees the bigger picture.
In so few verses from Scripture, we see so much of Joseph’s character. His silence is not absence, but rather a steady presence always seeking the will of God. Joseph cared for Jesus from his infancy to his adulthood, instructing him and working alongside him as a carpenter. And, though it is said of Mary that “she kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2:19), Joseph surely contemplated the ways God was active in his life too. He knew Jesus intimately, as a son, living each day with the mystery of the Incarnation.
Despite our best efforts, we can never fully comprehend “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14)––that Christ was both God and man––but Joseph lived each day with this mystery. He awaited it, protected it, loved it dearly, and helped it to grow. And he teaches us, through example and through intercession, how to live with Jesus, Emmanuel, God With Us.
Throughout the centuries, Christians have practiced devotion to St. Joseph, turning to him as an intercessor in times of need. He notably serves as the patron saint of workers, fathers, pregnant mothers, and a happy death, among many other things. Many of the Church’s greatest saints had special devotions to St. Joseph, and they encouraged others to rely on his intercession.
St. Thomas Aquinas praised St. Joseph, writing:
Some Saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.
Just as Jesus will not deny the requests of his mother, he is likewise ready to grant the requests of his foster father, a man of great faith and humility.
Similarly, St. Teresa of Avila had a deep devotion to St. Joseph, constantly seeking his intercession. She wrote:
Knowing by experience St. Joseph’s astonishing influence with God, I would wish to persuade everyone to honor him with particular devotion. I have always seen those who honored him in a special manner make progress in virtue, for this heavenly protector favors in a striking manner the spiritual advancement of souls who commend themselves to him.
St. Joseph does not forget his children. He is a loving father who embraces us, presents us to Christ, and strengthens us in the virtues of Christian living.
On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis dedicated the coming liturgical year to the patronage of St. Joseph, marking the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Amidst the turmoil of the present time, Pope Francis encourages the Church to honor St. Joseph and to pray for his intercession throughout the year. He reminds us in “Patris Corde” that “Each of us can discover in Joseph––the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence––an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.”
As we enter this new year, let us follow Joseph’s example of quiet love, faith-filled action, and constant orientation towards Christ. Like the saints before us, let us offer him our deepest intentions, so that the man who carried the infant Jesus can likewise carry us throughout our lives.
“Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.”
– Pope Francis, “Patris Corde”
