One of my favorite commemorations is the Feast of St. Joseph, Head of the Holy Family, Spouse of the Virgin Mary, Foster Father of Jesus. Long ago I made him my patron saint. He makes a wonderful Foster Father. The Church calls him Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of a Happy Death, Patron of Happy Families and Safeguard of Family Life.
What an example he was. When we think of all that was put upon his shoulders and how he dealt with the perils, poverty, obligations, whatever God asked of him, we can only admire his quiet strength and acceptance. Because of Our Lady's "fiat" (let it be done), we have the Savior. St. Joseph made his own "fiat," when he accepted without question the assurance of an angel that Mary was to be the Mother of the Son of God. Imagine! Sleeping fitfully when he knew that his espoused wife was with child, trying to decide what to do, knowing that the law would say that she should be stoned, yet wanting to "put her away" privately, without scandal, suddenly he sees in his dreams - an angel! "Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save his people from their sins."
This is an interesting bit. It was the father's right and duty to name his son. When the angel gave this task to Joseph, it showed that Joseph was to have the same rights regarding Jesus as if He were his own son.
How many in the same circumstance would accept that what was said in a dream was the real thing? Yet, Joseph, given the supernatural grace to know that what was said to him was true, accepted and took upon himself a daunting task. He was to be head of a family that was to raise, care for, protect, the Son of God. He must have had doubts as to his worthiness, his ability to persevere and suffer whatever was to come. He is the silent saint. Yet his actions speak for him. He spirited the family to Egypt to protect Jesus from Herod's killing of infants and took the family back to Nazareth at a time of safety - all at the behest of an angel appointed to guide him. He did everything a father would do. Jesus was "subject to them," though He was God incarnate, He loved and obeyed His parents. We know that He must have cared greatly for St. Joseph. We call him Patron of a Happy Death, because Christ and Our Lady must have been with him when he died, assured of his place with them in Heaven. He must have died before Our Lord's public life began, since we hear no more about him during that time.
He should be a model for husbands and fathers in the care of their families - loving, humble, courageous, steadfast, prudent, just, temperate.
Considering that he is so "silent," he may be considered the model of contemplative souls.
"Behold a faithful and wise servant, whom the Lord hath set over His household." Matthew 24: 45.
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