The splendid manifestation of devotion to St. Joseph during the last 100 years has been nourished with rich insights unlocked by popes and theologians. The enormous spiritual advantages derived from this devotion is reiterated in the Church today with the celebration of the Year of St. Joseph, proclaimed by Pope Francis.
The apostolic exhortation of Pope St. John Paul II, Redemptoris Custos (On the Person and Mission of Saint Joseph in the Life of Christ and the Church), provided the reflections on St. Joseph, into whose guardianship God the Father entrusted the precious treasures of the Virgin Mary and her son, Jesus. Pope John Paul hoped that his thoughts would evoke greater devotion to St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church and the one who served the Saviour.
PopeSt. John XXIII once remarked: “All the saints in glory assuredly merit honour and particular respect, but it is evident that St. Joseph possesses a just title to a more sweet, more intimate and penetrating place in our hearts, belonging to him alone… Here we can estimate completely all the greatness of St. Joseph, not only because he was close to Jesus and Mary, but also by the shining example he has given of all virtues…”
In the last 100 years, the Church has taken ever more cognizance of the role of St. Joseph. Quite obviously this devotion is a grace that has been preserved to this present age. St. John Henry Cardinal Newman tells us that the Church always had faith in St. Joseph from the beginning, but that devotion to him was slow in developing: “When once the devotion to St. Joseph began, men seemed surprised why it had not been thought of before and now they hold him next to the Blessed Virgin in their religious affection and veneration.”
In encouraging her children to be more attentive in their devotion to St. Joseph, the Church is expressing her debt of gratitude towards God. By choosing St. Joseph to be part of the salvific plan, God manifested his graciousness to ordinary human beings. The blessings showered upon Joseph were not private graces for his benefit—they were given that he might be worthy of the office that he exercised towards our Saviour and Mary. Hence, ultimately, those graces and blessings are for all of us.
Showing Joseph honour and respect and veneration are means of rendering glory and gratitude to almighty God for the merciful graces he poured out upon humanity through the person of St. Joseph.
The surest sign of personal devotion to St. Joseph is manifested by praying to him frequently. Call upon him in time of need, when in doubt or discouraged. Pray to Joseph to have a deeper understanding and stronger commitment to faith. More importantly, we should pray to him to gain a better understanding of a genuine, authentic Christian life—that is, of a life which is lived in Christ, with Christ and for Christ.
