Historical Context, Background, and Purpose:

• On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis published an "Apostolic Letter" called Patris Corde ("With a Father's Heart"), in which he proclaimed a "Year of Saint Joseph."
  • The letter was published on the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as "Patron of the Universal Church."
  • Pope Francis surprised the world by declaring that the celebration would begin that very day, Dec. 8, 2020, and continue until Dec. 8, 2021.
  • In the past, such thematic years were announced several months or even years in advance, so that people had time to make some preparations. For example:
    • The "Great Jubilee of 2000" was announced on Nov. 10, 1994 (Pope John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente), which described three years of preparation in 1997-1999. It was then formally convoked on Nov. 29, 1998 (Pope John Paul II, Incarnationis Mysterium), and celebrated from Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1999, to the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6, 2001.
    • The "Year of Faith" was announced on Oct. 11, 2011 (Pope Benedict XVI, Porta Fidei), and celebrated from Oct. 11, 2012, to Nov. 24, 2013.
    • The "Year of Mercy" was announced on April 11, 2015 (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, and celebrated from Dec. 8, 2015, to Nov. 20, 2016.
  • Pope Francis had already indicated how important he thinks St. Joseph is in his very first homily as Pope, at the Mass of "Imposition of the Pallium and Bestowal of the Fisherman's Ring for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome," on March 19, 2013, the Solemnity of St. Joseph!
     
• Near the end of Patris Corde, Pope Francis states the purpose of his writing:
  "The aim of this Apostolic Letter is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal."
• As is usual in Pope Francis' writings, this letter is strongly based on both sacred scripture and church tradition, containing almost eighty biblical citations and about two dozen references to patristic literature, papal writings, and other ecclesial documents.
   
• Aside from its introduction and conclusion, the Apostolic Letter Patris Corde has seven main sections, describing Joseph as...
  1. A beloved father
  2. A tender and loving father
  3. An obedient father
  4. An accepting father
  5. A creatively courageous father
  6. A working father
  7. A father in the shadows
      
• St. Joseph has been honored with various formal titles in the Catholic Church:
  • Pope Pius IX declared him as “Patron of the Universal Church” (Sacred Congregation of Rites, Quemadmodum Deus, Dec. 8, 1870).
  • Pope Pius XII proposed him as “Patron of Workers” (Address to ACLI on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph the Worker; May 1, 1955).
  • Pope John Paul II called him “Guardian of the Redeemer” (Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos; August 15, 1989).
  • Saint Joseph is traditionally also considered the “Patron of a happy death” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 1014).
  • Pope Francis calls him "the special patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty";
    he also considers St. Joseph the "protector of the unfortunate, the needy, exiles, the afflicted, the poor and the dying" (Patris Corde, 5).

Biblical References to St. Joseph of Nazareth:

• Joseph, the husband of Mary, is mentioned only briefly in the Gospel of John, more extensively in Matthew and Luke, but never in Mark or the rest of the NT.
  • It is often pointed out that Joseph never says anything in the Gospels, not a single word!
    • Yet the Evangelists tell us a few things about him, especially what he does in response to the messages he receives from God.
    • One might say that Joseph is a man of action, not of words.
      And don't forget the saying: "Actions speak louder than words!"
  • Caution: Several other men named Joseph are also mentioned in the NT:
    • Joseph, the OT patriarch, one of the 12 sons of Jacob (John 4:5; Acts 7:9-18; Heb 11:21-22; Rev 7:8; cf. Gen 37--50);
      this ancient biblical character is surely why the name "Joseph" was popular in the 1st century AD.
    • The name "Joseph" means "He will add," as explained in Gen 30:24-25.
    • Joseph of Arimathea, who buried Jesus (Mark 15:43-46; Matt 27:57-60; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42).
    • One of the four named "brothers of Jesus" ("Joseph" in Matt 27:56; but "Joses" in Mark 6:3).
    • Two other Josephs, ancestors in the Lukan genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:24, 30).
    • Two other Josephs, disciples in the early Church: Joseph a.k.a. Barsabbas (Acts 1:23) and Joseph a.k.a. Barnabas (Acts 4:26).
       
• Is Joseph of Nazareth the "Father" of Jesus? The proper answer is both Yes and No, depending on how one defines "father":
  • No, Joseph is not the "natural father" or "biological father" of Jesus; the Gospels say that Jesus was conceived "through the Holy Spirit" (Matt 1:20; Luke 1:31-35).
  • Yes, Joseph is the "legal father" of Jesus, thus sometimes also called his "foster-father":
    • Not only does Joseph accept Mary as his wife (Matt 1:20-24; Luke 1:27; 2:4-5), but he also accepts legal paternity of Jesus by naming the child (Matt 1:21, 25).
    • The heritage of Jesus as a "Son of David" and member of the "tribe of Judah" is not traced through the genealogy of Mary, but that of Joseph (Matt 1:16, 20; Luke 3:23).
    • The Evangelist Luke refers to Jesus' "parents" (2:48a), and Mary herself says to the 12-year-old boy, "Your father and I have been looking for you" (2:48).
    • Jesus is called "the carpenter's son" (Matt 13:55) and "the son of Joseph" (Luke 4:22; John 1:45; 6:42), but only once called "the son of Mary" (Mark 6:3).
       
• Were Joseph and Jesus "Carpenters"?
  • The Greek term used in the Gospels to describe both Joseph (Matt 13:55) and Jesus (Mark 6:3) is τέκτων (tektōn), a term that is also used 30 times in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament).
  • Although it is commonly translated "carpenter," it can refer more broadly to a "craftsman" or "artisan," someone who might work with various materials (not only wood, but also stone, metal, and/or other materials) in various aspects of construction.
  • So Joseph and Jesus may indeed have been "carpenters," but may also have been "construction workers" involved in other aspects of building things.
     
• Gospel acc. to Mark:
  • Joseph is never named, or even alluded to, anywhere in Mark's Gospel.
  • While Matthew 13:55 refers to Jesus as "the carpenter's son", the parallel text in Mark 6:3 does not mention Jesus' father, but instead reads, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary...?"
  • Jesus sometimes refers to fathers (and mothers) in general in Mark (7:10-12; 10:7, 19, 29; 13:12), but neither Jesus nor the Evangelist Mark ever refers to Jesus' earthly father.
  • In Mark, Jesus sometimes also refers to God as his Father (Mark 8:38; 13:32; 14:36) and once, when speaking to his disciples, also refers to God as "your Father in heaven" (Mark 11:25).
  • In the other Gospels, Jesus refers to God as "my/your/our Father" dozens of times in Matthew and Luke, and over 120 times in John!
     
• Gospel acc. to Matthew:
  • Joseph is one of the main characters in the Infancy Narrative, but mentioned only once (indirectly) later in the Gospel:
  • Matt 1:16 – Near the end of the genealogy of Jesus: "...and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah."
  • Matt 1:18-25 – Joseph receives an angelic message in a dream about Mary having a child by the Holy Spirit; he accepts Mary as his wife and accepts the child as his (legal) son.
  • Matt 2:13-23 – Joseph receives further messages in three more dreams about fleeing to Egypt and later returning from Egypt; he cares for and protects his wife and child.
  • Matt 13:55 – When Jesus visits Nazareth, people refer to his father's occupation: "Is not this the carpenter's son?"
     
• Gospel acc. to Luke:
  • Joseph is mentioned only briefly and indirectly in the Infancy Narrative, and a few other times later in this Gospel:
  • Luke 1:26-27 – "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, / to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary."
  • Luke 2:4 – At the time of the census: "Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David."
  • Luke 2:16 – When the shepherds visit Bethlehem: "So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger."
  • Luke 2:33 – In reaction to Simeon's words in the Jerusalem Temple: "And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him."
  • Luke 2:48-49 – Upon finding Jesus in the Temple, at 12 years old: "When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." / He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
  • Luke 3:23 – In the genealogy of Jesus: "Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the son (as was thought) of Joseph son of Heli,"
  • Luke 4:22 – All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
     
• Gospel acc. to John:
  • Joseph never appears personally, and is mentioned only once (indirectly) in the Fourth Gospel:
  • John 6:42 – In the Bread of Life discourse, some "Jews" object to Jesus' words, saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"
     
• Other Biblical and Post-Biblical Writings:
  • Joseph of Nazareth is not mentioned anywhere in the rest of the New Testament.
  • Joseph is an important character in the Infancy Gospel of James (a.k.a. the Proto-Evangelium of James, from the mid-2nd century AD); he is named over thirty times in chapters 9, 13-19, and 21.
  • He is also named thirty times throughout the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (also from the mid-2nd century AD).
  • Later legends about the life and death of Joseph are found in "The History of Joseph the Carpenter," from the 5th century AD.
     
• When was Joseph born? How old was he when he married Mary? And when did he die?
  • The best answer to these questions is simply, "We don't know"!
  • Year of Birth:
    • There is no evidence for when or even where Joseph was born, although his family may already have been living in Nazareth for several generations.
    • Luke's genealogy says Joseph was the "son of Heli" (Lk 3:23), while Matthew's genealogy says the father of Joseph was named Jacob (Mt 1:16).
      But neither genealogy allows us to know (or even guess) in what year Joseph was born.
    • Scholars have proposed various theories to explain the discrepancy in the name of Joseph's father; but none of the explanations is clear or obvious.
  • Age at Marriage:
    • Again, there is no evidence that clearly answers this question, but various traditions have been passed on through the centuries.
    • Some Christian traditions assume that Joseph was about the same age as Mary, or only a few years older; since in ancient times many people were already "betrothed" to be married while they were still children or teenagers.
    • Other traditions, especially based on the Infancy Gospel of James, claim that Joseph was a widower who was already an "old man" (Gosp. James 9), thus much older than Mary at the time that he accepted her as his wife.
  • Year of Death:
    • There is no direct evidence to answer this question, but the Gospels give us some indications of a possible range of years.
    • According to Luke 2:41-52, Joseph was still alive when Jesus was twelve years old. And according to Luke 3:23, Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.
    • But since Joseph is never mentioned as being alive during the public ministry of Jesus, most scholars assume he must have died some time during those intervening years.
    • Interestingly, when Christian artists over the centuries depict "the death of Joseph," usually showing Mary and Jesus at his deathbed, some artists depict Jesus as still being fairly young (i.e. barely more than 12 years old), while others depict an adult Jesus much as he is shown during his adult ministry (thus already in his late 20's or early 30's).
    • Calling Jesus "the son of Mary" (only in Mk 6:3) is a bit unusual by ancient standards, so might indicate that Joseph had died long before Jesus' public ministry began.
      On the other hand, Jesus is more often called "son of Joseph," which might indicate that Joseph's memory was still fresh since he had died only more recently.
        

Liturgical Celebrations of St. Joseph:

• March 19 – St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity; Lectionary #543)
  • Note: If March 19 is a Sunday during Lent, then the Solemnity of Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is transferred to the following Monday, March 20.
  • First Reading: 2 Sam 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
  • Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27+29
  • Second Reading: Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
  • Alleluia Verse: Ps 84:5
  • Gospel: Matt 1:16, 18-21, 24a (Joseph's Dream)
    or Luke 2:41-51a (Boy Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple)
  • Full Texts of these readings are on the website of the USCCB
     
  • Collect Prayer:
    Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph's intercession
    your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation,
    whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
    in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
     
• May 1 – St. Joseph, the Worker (optional memorial; Lectionary #559)
  • First Reading: Gen 1:26—2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24
  • Responsorial Psalm: Ps 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14+16
  • Alleluia Verse: Ps 68:20
  • Gospel: Matt 13:54-58
  • Full Texts of these readings are on the website of the USCCB
     
  • Collect Prayer:
    O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work,
    graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage
    we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you
    in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
     
• Sunday in the Octave of Christmas - Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Lectionary #17)
  • Note: If Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 are Sundays, then the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on Friday, Dec. 30.
  • The Lectionary for Mass prescribes readings for Year A, and optional readings for Year B and Year C.
     
• Votive Mass for Saint Joseph (Lectionary #1004)
  • "The readings for the Solemnity of Joseph on March 19, no. 543, or those for the memorial of Joseph the Worker on May 1, no. 559, are used."
     
• Ite ad Joseph - "Go to Joseph"
  • This devotional phrase is found on the base of many statues of St. Joseph of Nazareth, although it is originally connected with the OT patriarch Joseph in Egypt.
  • It is a direct quotation of the Vulgate Latin translation of Gen 41:55 - "When all the land of Egypt became hungry and the people cried to Pharaoh for food, Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians: 'Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.' "

Online Resources for the Year of St. Joseph:

• "All Things St. Joseph" - from the Oblates of St. Joseph; includes large sections on:
  • St. Joseph in Art
  • St. Joseph in Scripture
  • St. Joseph in Magisterium
  • St. Joseph in Liturgy
  • St. Joseph in Church Fathers
  • St. Joseph in Apocrypha
     
    
• Online Reference Articles:
  • Wikipedia
  • Encyclopedia Britannica
  • Catholic Online
     
• Concluding prayer in Patris Corde, by Pope Francis:
  • 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 human.
    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.
     
• Other Materials for Reflection and Prayer:
  • "St. Joseph is the patron saint we need in this pandemic" - by Fr. James Martin, SJ, in America magazine (12/13/20)
  • St. Joseph | LA Catholics - various articles from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
  • Prayers to St. Joseph - at least 25 different texts; from the Oblates of St. Joseph
  • Over 80 Catholic Cathedrals (acc. to Wikipedia) are dedicated to St. Joseph worldwide,
    not to mention hundreds of parishes, schools, hospitals, and other religious institutions.
  • Sisters of St. Joseph include various religious congregations worldwide.
  • Nine Days with St. Joseph - a small book from the publishers of Magnificat
     
• Note: Several Catholic Dioceses had already declared a "Year of St. Joseph" starting earlier:
  • The Diocese of Birmingham, AL, from May 16, 2018, to May 1, 2019.
  • The Diocese of Charlotte, NC, from January 1 to December 31, 2020.
  • The Diocese of St. Augustine, FL, from Jan. 1, 2020, to March 21, 2021.
  • The Diocese of Green Bay, WI, from March 19, 2020, to March 19, 2021.
  • The Diocese of Scranton, PA, from March 19, 2020, to March 19, 2021.
  • The Diocese of Venice in Florida, from March 19, 2020, to March 19, 2021.
  • The Diocese of La Crosse, WI, from May 1, 2020, to May 1, 2021.
  • The Diocese of Lafayette, LA, from August 16, 2020, to May 1, 2021.
  • The Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN, from Dec. 8, 2020, to Dec. 2021.

On a Personal Note:

• I was born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Berlin, Germany.
• As a child, I had my tonsils taken out at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, AZ.
• I was ordained as a deacon at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Berkeley, CA.
• During graduate studies, I lived and ministered at St. Joseph's Parish in New Haven, CT.
• While visiting my parents over the years, I helped out with many Masses at St. Joseph's Parish in Tucson, AZ.
• For 10 years, I worked at the Loyola Institute for Spirituality, which is located on the campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
• For almost 25 years, I have often presided at student liturgies at Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.