We don’t know when he was born. We don’t know when he died. We don’t know what he looked like. We don’t know a single word that he said.
He is accurately called the “hidden saint.”
Yep, we’re talking about St. Joseph.
But even though we may not know much about him, we do know some of what he did, and as they say, actions speak louder than words. St. Joseph’s actions certainly speak volumes!
St. Joseph Leading the Christ Child by Murillo
St. Joseph shows us that near-perfection is possible for us original-sin-stained mortals. After all, we’re talking about the man God Himself selected as His foster father! St. Joseph’s virtues are second only to our Blessed Mother’s spotless perfections.
The Scriptures mention St. Joseph pretty minimally, but even from that little bit we can draw abundant examples of his many virtues. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to delve into all those virtues, but let’s look at a few of the most apparent:
1. Obedience: St. Joseph is called a “righteous man”: he lived the spirit as well as the letter of the Law of Moses. In everything he did, he sought to accomplish God’s will. Even when he felt unworthy or did not understand, he performed God’s will without question.
2. Purity: At a young age, St. Joseph made a vow of chastity. Tradition tells us that when the priests were choosing a fit spouse for the Blessed Mother, they gave several eligible young men wooden rods to hold. God made St. Joseph’s rod bloom into fragrant lilies, the ancient symbol of purity.
3. Silence: Silence? That’s a virtue? Yes! St. Joseph is the perfect Martha-Mary combo: he worked hard (carpentry is demanding, and so are trips around the Middle East) yet silence enveloped him. Joseph’s silence reveals his deep prayer life. God would not have subjected Himself to the authority and care of someone who was not seeking to know Him in holiness.
Want to get to know St. Joseph better? Want to learn more about his virtues? Understand his role in the Holy Family better? Develop a deeper devotion to him? This is just what you need: Fr. Matthew Kauth’s The Imitation of St. Joseph, the book that explains clearly and beautifully all you need to know about this amazing saint. We’ve paired it with Prayers to St. Joseph, your go-to for prayers, novenas, and traditions specially dedicated to St. Joseph. Get this set today at the Catholic Company!
