by Andrew Koslosky KGCHS, Contributing Writer

I always find it interesting how the various topics for my weekly column end up in my head. Each and every week, when  I prepare to write this column, I try to reflect on a particular event of the week, but the message ends up being much more than a simple look at “the celebration of the week.”

This week I found myself listening to Fr. Mark Beard, an  exceptional homilist, who took on the topic of the forgotten saint…Saint Joseph. Before I get into that, let me introduce you to this wonderfully gifted priest Mark Beard. Fr. Mark was a pastor at St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite City, Louisiana. He studied at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in 2009.

Before entering the seminary, he earned a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana State University. His amazing story has him going, as an angry skeptic of religious visionaries, to Medjugorje, with the intent of disproving the visits of our Blessed Mother to the locals. He believed the visions were motivated by money making schemes, and had every intention of exposing what he thought was a scam.

Instead, he ended up becoming a believer with a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother and a call to become a priest. He became well known for his reflections on the Gospels with his YouTube videos becoming quite the popular view. It is simply an excellent watch and very inspiring.

Sadly, we lost Fr. Mark Beard at the age of 62 in a car accident on August 2, 2023. He swerved off of Interstate 55 to avoid hitting a car that was backed up because of rubber necking an accident on the opposite side of the interstate. He was gone after just 11 years as a priest. Yet he accomplished more in that time, because of his devotion to the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, than most do in a lifetime.

I would recommend looking him up on YouTube and listening to his homilies. So, this week, Fr. Beard has inspired me to speak about a very special but often forgotten saint, the Chosen Foster Father of Jesus Christ, St. Joseph. 

In the grand scheme of salvation history, few figures are as pivotal yet as understated as St. Joseph. He is the quiet  protector, the steadfast provider, the humble craftsman whose life was intimately interwoven with the two most important figures in Christianity: Jesus, the Son of God, and Mary, the Mother of God. Let’s put this in simple terms…he  was the one man God trusted to protect and care for His Son and His Mother. St. Joseph was the silent strength behind the Holy Family. To understand the importance of St. Joseph, we examine the special titles of the saints.

“Dulia” is the title given to all saints, which implies veneration. Saint Joseph is rightly given the title “Protodulia,” meaning that among  the saints he is given first place. First among the Saints after The Blessed Mother Mary and ranked ahead of the  Apostles themselves.

Saint Joseph holds a vital role in Christian theology and history. Despite his quiet presence in the Gospel narratives, his influence and legacy have profoundly shaped Christian thought, art, and devotion throughout  centuries. Today we examine the historical background, biblical references, theological significance, and cultural impact  of Saint Joseph, attempting to create a clearer picture of his life and legacy. 

Saint Joseph is believed to have been born in the town of Nazareth in Galilee, around the late 1st century. Little concrete historical data exists about his early life, but traditional sources and biblical texts provide insight into his character and role.

As a descendant of King David, Joseph belonged to the House of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s royal lineage. His occupation as a carpenter or stonemason, suggests he was a skilled laborer, typical of a humble, working-class man living in a Jewish community under Roman rule. 

The primary sources for our knowledge of St. Joseph are the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. What is striking is the  economy of words used to describe him. He speaks no recorded words in Scripture, a silence that actually amplifies his profound actions. Matthew’s Gospel presents Joseph as a “just man” (Matthew 1:19).

This seemingly simple phrase carries immense weight in the Jewish tradition, signifying a man who is righteous, upright, and scrupulously observant of God’s law. Betrothed to Mary and confronted with her unexpected pregnancy, Joseph, rather than publicly disgracing her, as was legally permissible, intended to divorce her quietly. This act of compassion and mercy reveals a heart attuned to charity even in what was a very troubling situation.

It is precisely in this moment of ethical dilemma that God intervenes. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing the divine origin of Mary’s child: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a Son, and you are to name him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). 

St. Joseph’s immediate and unquestioning obedience to God’s command, taking Mary as his wife and accepting the  momentous responsibility of being the earthly father to the Son of God, is a testament to his profound faith and trust. Can you imagine being in a similar situation?  

Luke’s Gospel offers additional details, particularly concerning the journey to Bethlehem for the census and the birth of  Jesus in a stable. Here, Joseph is seen as a responsible man, fulfilling his civic duties while also providing what little  comfort he could for his expectant wife.

Joseph played a vital role in the nativity story. He was present when Jesus was born in Bethlehem and participated in the circumcision and presentation in the temple. The Gospel of Matthew records the visit of the Magi and the subsequent threat from King Herod, prompting Joseph, who had received instructions in a dream, to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. This act of obedience highlights his protective nature and faith in God’s  guidance.

After Herod’s death, Joseph was instructed by an angel to return to Israel. They settled in Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood. The Gospel emphasizes Joseph’s role in ensuring Jesus’ safety and stability during His early years. Luke also recounts the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, where Joseph and Mary faithfully observe the Mosaic Law, and the prophetic words of Simeon, who foretells suffering for Mary.

Most significantly, Luke details the episode of the finding of Jesus in the Temple when Jesus was twelve years old. After three days of anxious searching, Mary and Joseph find Jesus among the teachers, and Mary asks, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety” (Luke 2:48). This important moment underscores Joseph’s recognized role as Jesus’ father in the human sense, even though both he and Mary understood the unique nature of Jesus’ divine birth.

After this episode, Joseph largely fades from the scriptural narrative. It is generally believed that he died before Jesus began  his public ministry, as he is not mentioned at the Wedding at Cana or at the foot of the Cross. This quiet departure from  the stage of salvation history further emphasizes his humble service and profound commitment to his unique vocation.

St. Francis de Sales believed that St. Joseph was assumed body and soul into Heaven: “What is there left for us to say now if not that, in no way must we doubt that this glorious saint enjoys much credit in Heaven in the company of the  One who favored him so much as to raise him there, body and soul; something which is all the more likely since we have  no relic of him here below on earth. It seems to me no one can doubt this truth; for how could He have refused this grace to St. Joseph, he who had been obedient at all times in his entire life?” 

Obviously, St. Joseph’s most important role is that of the foster father of Jesus. This was not a passive title but an active,  demanding vocation. He was entrusted with the care, protection, and upbringing of the Son of God.

As the head of the Holy Family, Joseph provided for their material needs through his honest labor as a craftsman who worked with wood, stone, and metal, commonly described as a carpenter. He taught Jesus his trade, imparting the dignity of labor and the value of honest work.

More importantly, Joseph provided Jesus with a human father figure, guiding him, disciplining him, and nurturing his growth in wisdom, age, and grace. He fulfilled all the responsibilities of a Jewish father,  introducing Jesus to the rich traditions of his heritage, teaching him the prayers, and leading him in the observance of  the Law. The bond between them, though unique, was real and profound.

Jesus, in his human nature, learned obedience, respect, and love within the family unit established and sustained by Joseph. 

Many Christian around the world celebrate March 19 as The Feast of Saint Joseph. In many cultures, May 1 is celebrated  as The Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, emphasizing his role as a laborer and model for workers.

Pope Pius IX’s declaration on December 8, 1870, The Sacred Congregation of Rites proclaimed the official decree, which  communicated the decision of Pope Pius IX to declare St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church. In 1989, The  Redemptoris Custos of Pope St. John Paul II depicted St. Joseph as an icon of faith, that is, one whose life exemplifies  what it means to listen to God’s words and, in an unwavering way, act courageously upon them. In 2021, Pope Francis  declared a Year of Saint Joseph, further emphasizing his relevance. 

Considered the Universal Intercessor, throughout history, the Church has recognized the profound sanctity and powerful intercession of St. Joseph, leading to an ever-expanding list of patronages. He is therefore invoked in countless situations. He is the Patron of the Universal Church: Pope Pius IX, in 1870, declared St. Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, recognizing his pivotal role in safeguarding the Church in the person of Jesus and his continued intercession for the Body of Christ.

He is the Patron of Fathers and Families, as the head of the Holy Family, Joseph is a model for all fathers, demonstrating fidelity, responsibility, and loving care. Families seek his intercession for unity, strength, and holiness. St. Joseph is the Patron of Workers and Laborers. His identity as a carpenter makes him the natural patron of all who labor, emphasizing the dignity of work and the sanctification of the daily toil.

He is the Patron of a Happy Death. Because he is believed to have died in the presence of Jesus and Mary, St. Joseph is invoked as the patron of a peaceful and holy death. He is the Patron of Travelers and Exiles. His flight into Egypt makes him a protector for those on journeys and those displaced from their homes.

He is the Patron of Immigrants. In a similar vein, his experience as an exile seeking refuge makes him a compassionate intercessor for immigrants. He is the Patron of the Unborn. As the protector of the Christ Child, he is increasingly invoked for the protection of the unborn and for the  sanctity of life.

Of course, many of you ask for his intercession when selling or looking to buy a property. What is that old tradition about anyway…burying a St. Joseph statue upside down in the backyard of the property you are trying to  sell. I wonder what my patron saint thinks about that one. Devotion to St. Joseph developed gradually within the Church but has seen significant growth in recent centuries.  

I sometimes reflect on why as a young boy I chose St. Joseph for my middle and confirmation name. I had made up my  mind that St. Joseph had to be special because God chose him to be His earthly Father. Not bad for a 7th Grader at the  time. Now I ask myself why I didn’t pray to him more often. I suppose as the years go by, things become more clear. I  certainly ask for St. Joseph’s help at this stage of my life.  

In an age characterized by uncertainty, fragmented families, and a yearning for authentic leadership, St. Joseph emerges  as a particularly relevant and powerful figure. His steadfastness in the face of the unknown, his quiet strength in assuming immense responsibility, his diligent work ethic, and his unwavering love for Jesus and Mary offer a timeless model for us all.

He is not a distant, unreachable saint but a pretty relatable figure who navigated the complexities of family life, economic struggles, and the profound mystery of God’s plan. Through his silent example, St. Joseph teaches us that true greatness lies not in worldly acclaim or power, but in humble service, faithful obedience, and unwavering love for God and family.

As the protector of the Holy Family and the Universal Church, St. Joseph continues to intercede  for us, guiding us, and reminding us that even in the most ordinary lives, extraordinary holiness can be achieved through a simple, profound “yes” to God’s will. May I suggest a very beautiful prayer when in need of special help from the “Protodulia.” 

“Oh St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.” 

May you all be blessed by our greatest intercessor, St. Joseph. Peace my Brothers and Sisters, until next week…