Why was Joseph chosen?

[Brian2944]

The more I learn about the Catholic Church the more I see its truth. I finally see that Mary was full of Grace; sinless and forever a virgin. But just out of curiosity, has the Church fathers ever wrote our commented on the importance of Joseph??

I have heard about the possibility of Joseph dying before Jesus' ministry began and the scriptures are silent on his life, but is there any writings outside the bible about his life??

Many Thanks
Brian

 

[ps139]

One thing I know about Joseph is that he was a righteous man.

God knew he would trust God through it all, even when it seemed odd... just like Abraham always trusted God.

By the way, welcome to the forum, I don't think I've seen you before.

 

[Davidnic]

Joseph has four great virtues:

1.) Fidelity to Grace
The strength of heart to hear the word of God and follow what the Lord wanted him to do. This is shown when he listens to the angel without hesitation to accept Mary and flee into Egypt.

2.) Interior Life
A life focused on God. A personal strength and devotion that enabled his fidelity to grace and guided his last two virtues.

3.) Love for Mary
4.) Love for Christ

There is an excellent book, Saint Joseph: His Life and His Role in the Church Today by Louise Bourassa Perrotta.
It covers sources outside of scripture for Joseph and explains what we can know about him from the few things the Bible does say. I'd reference it, but my father in law has my copy.

There are also apocrypha about Joseph, but these are not cannon or accepted as scripture.


Pope John Paul II wrote of Joseph in his very fine Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of The Redeemer)(link)

You are asking this question as we approach St. Joseph's Day! That is usually March 19, but it is March 20th this year because the 19th is a Sunday of Lent.

As John Paul II wrote:

What is crucially important here is the sanctification of daily life, a sanctification which each person must acquire according to his or her own state, and one which can be promoted according to a model accessible to all people: "St. Joseph is the model of those humble ones that Christianity raises up to great destinies;...he is the proof that in order to be a good and genuine follower of Christ, there is no need of great things--it is enough to have the common, simple and human virtues, but they need to be true and authentic.

This is one of the reasons why Joseph was chosen.

 

[Brian2944]

Thanks for the replies!

I know how much Mother Mary should be honored, but I figured Joseph would have almost as important job in raising Jesus. I believe God's plan is precise and nothing he does is without reason, so I would think that Joseph would have special qualities that others wouldn't have.

Thank you for answering my question!

Brian

 

[Brian2944]

By the way, welcome to the forum, I don't think I've seen you before.

Thank you very much

I hope to learn a lot here, and seek to join the Church. The more I learn about Catholic doctrine, the more it seems like pieces fit together that were not there before.

I am just scratching the surface to what TRUTH really is. And its only found in the TRUE Church!

God Bless
Brian

 

[hsilgne]

We also know that St Joseph was from the line of David, as was Mother Mary, and even though he was not the biological father of Jesus, this lineage was important for other scriptural and prophetic reasons.

He was a carpenter and trained Jesus in the trade.

He is the ultimate model for a "family man".

There's an article in the current issue of Columbus(K of C magazine) about him that is quite good.

 

[QuantaCura]

Thanks for the replies!

I know how much Mother Mary should be honored, but I figured Joseph would have almost as important job in raising Jesus. I believe God's plan is precise and nothing he does is without reason, so I would think that Joseph would have special qualities that others wouldn't have.

Thank you for answering my question!

Brian

Well, St. Joseph is seen pretty much as the second most important saint behind Mary. I mean, God saw him as the male role model for His Son. He is a model father--He does the will of God without complaint and does what's best for His family. It's in His quiet humilty and leadership that we can draw inspiration. He trusted God and married a woman who was already pregnant, he provided for them, he took them to Egypt and Bethelehem when God told Him too. He truly was the selfless head of the Holy Family.

 

[QuantaCura]

Here is the Protoeveangelium of James. It is from the second century. It is not divinely inspired, but that doesn't mean there's not some truth to it. It's not very long either and it has some good stuff about Joseph and Mary (and Mary's parents too) :


http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0847.htm

 

[Andy Broadley]

Not very theological thoughts from me I'm afraid, but here goes anyway.

For me there were two reasons.

1)As has already been said, he was a righteous man who would trust God and follow His plan.

2) God wanted Jesus raised among the people he would minister to. That is, the common working people. Not only raised among them, but working alongside them as a carpenter for far more years than He ministered to them. How many of us have been made to wait until God revealed His plans for us? Often for many years. And then we found that all that had gone before was preparation for that. Well, I believe that God set that example for us with Jesus.

At the time he commenced His teaching, He was already a man of the people. The people knew him. many would have done business with Him.

But brian made a good point. Scripture does seem very quiet about Joseph after the early years of Jesus' life. But then he would have been around 50 when Jesus started teaching, and life expectency was much shorter back then

 

[Markh]

I don't think Joseph says a word in the bible, he just obeys, is a man of action and obedience to God's will.

There used to be a much greater devotion to St Joseph, I think especially in England at one point, but that seems to have deteriorated.

but at least he still universally gets his place in the divine praises at benediction of the blessed sacrament.

 

[Febe]

I hope to learn a lot here, and seek to join the Church. The more I learn about Catholic doctrine, the more it seems like pieces fit together that were not there before.
God Bless
Brian

I´m with You there... just now converting!

Yes, I like Joseph a lot!
As said, he was really a great father, as God choosed him to be "the father" of His Son!
And he was a protector of Mary and the Child...
We would certinly need a lot of his sort today...

Nice to meet You here, Brian!

 

[WarriorAngel]

I have a gift for all of you...a very old gift.

Prayer to St Joseph.

Oh, St Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interest 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 up my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving 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 me.


This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emporer Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hold it or keep it about themselves shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be over powered in battle.
Pray for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail.

I hope everyone takes this and copies it and keeps it...

ALSO I may be able to scan my copy which is so old my brother lamenated it for each of us at my father's death.
Whom he carried this all his life and prayed this prayer over all eight of us.

My father knew he was dying, and the last day he lived he said he was ready to go.

Peace to all.

 

[Maggie893]

A fascinating book on St. Joseph that I must recommend is called St. Joseph As seen by Mystics and Historians.

It's a compilation of writings on St. Joseph from the Early Church Fathers, Venerable Mary Agreda, St Bridget, tons of historians, Pope JPII from Guardian of the Redeemer.

It's really amazing reading. I grew to appreciate him so much more from reading this book.

 

[WarriorAngel]

St Joseph is also unconditional love.

I made a seperate thread with the prayer and the card I copied...
If anyone so desires a copy to keep on them they can resize it or whatever.

 

[Franze]

The sunday is the St Joseph´s feast, in Valencia, my diocese, we have this week, a huge feast in honor to him. He was a man of obedience to God, a man that gave all to Jesus and obeyed to God what it was asked.
Joseph is a master of obedience to us.

 

[winsome]

1.) Fidelity to Grace
The strength of heart to hear the word of God and follow what the Lord wanted him to do. This is shown when he listens to the angel without hesitation to accept Mary and flee into Egypt.

Yes. He was visited by an angel three times in dreams and each time Joseph did exactly what he was told to do. He was a very special person to have been chosen to be the eartly father of Jesus, and the guardian/spouse of Mary who was very young.