Joseph – the Just Man

‘Joseph was a just man who always did what was right’  Matthew 1:19

Joseph faced a dilemma when he learned Mary was pregnant with a child that was not his. Unaware of the father’s identity, he felt compelled by cultural norms to divorce her before they lived together. Though difficult, Joseph chose not to cause a scene.

Even before he received the Angel’s message that Mary was pregnant through the Holy Spirit, he had decided to act in a caring way. He was going to act quietly and thus save her publicity and disgrace. He was a caring, honourable man, a just man, a man of God.

St Joseph, help us always to discern what is good and right, to love tenderly and act justly so that we, like you, may always walk humbly with our God.

Joseph – the Man who Listened

‘If you listen to me, you will know what is right and fair’ Proverbs 2:9

Joseph was a man who listened. Constant noise prevents us from listening and hearing our friends, family and God. Joseph knew how to be silent to allow God’s Word to come through to him. No spoken word is recorded of him.

In our world today, we are surrounded by noise and distraction. Our spiritual senses become numbed by the intrusive noises of television, vehicles, mobile phones, tablet computers and various other paraphernalia of modern technology. Is it any wonder we do not hear our friends, family and God?

St Joseph, show us how to be silent and to listen to God in the stillness of our hearts.

Joseph – the Man of Trust

‘An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph’  Matthew 1:20

It is sometimes said that St Joseph slept his way through the New Testament. All the major decisions he took were the result of listening to his dreams. This implies a profound trust in the message contained in that voice deep within the subconscious – the voice sent by God.

God spoke to Joseph in his dreams and Joseph trusted in the plans God laid before him to take Mary as his wife.

Like St Joseph, who trusted God’s judgment of what was right for him and his family, may we, too, trust God our Father, who loves us so much, to know what is right for us as individuals. Although we may question God’s plan for us, may we, like St Joseph, have the strength and the courage to place our trust in the Lord.

St Joseph, in our times of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear help us to trust in God to show us the right way.

Joseph – the Missionary

‘Joseph got up and took the child and his mother and left that night for Egypt’  Matthew 2:14

The Gospel states that Joseph took Mary and Jesus to another country. Even before preaching or baptism, God’s Word was active in Egypt. Apostles and missionaries aim to reveal where Christ’s message is already at work among people yet to hear it.

Pope St John Paul II challenges us:

‘Mission is the joyful proclamation of a gift meant for all, and to be offered to all with the greatest respect for the freedom of each one: the gift of the revelation of the God who is love.’ – Novo Millennio Inuente (2001), no. 56

Today’s missionaries carry the Good News, and every Christian shares in the Church’s mission both locally and globally. We ask St Joseph to guide us in sharing God’s love, especially with those most in need.

St Joseph, help us to be examples and witnesses of God’s love for us wherever we may go.

Joseph – the Caring, Loving Father

‘Where did that man (Jesus) get all this wisdom?’  Matthew 13:54

Many of Jesus’ parables emphasise God as his Father in Heaven, reflecting the close relationship he expressed by calling God ‘Abba’ or ‘Daddy.’ Jesus’ understanding of God’s fatherhood was shaped by his earthly father, Joseph, whose influence contributed to Jesus’ wisdom and teachings. As a result, Jesus taught that God is intimate, loving, caring, and forgiving, rather than distant or judgmental.

St Joseph, help us to experience God as a caring, loving Father.

Joseph – the Migrant Worker

‘Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?’  Matthew 13:55

According to the Gospels, Joseph journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then fled to Egypt to escape persecution, before eventually settling back in Nazareth.

Wherever he travelled, he needed to earn his keep, with little spare income. He worked as a craftsman, making and selling tools and various goods to provide for his family and those around him. As a migrant worker, St Joseph faced vulnerability and relied greatly on the kindness and hospitality of others.

May we always be mindful of those who, like him, find themselves ‘strangers in a foreign land’. May our prayers and the intercession of our blessed patron, St Joseph, help them to be welcomed and supported.

St Joseph, help us to welcome outsiders and to support and value the contributions they make for the good of all.

Joseph – the Family Man

Mary said, ‘See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you’  Luke 2:48

Joseph, though a descendant of David’s royal line, lived humbly and faced numerous challenges: Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, a taxing journey to  Bethlehem, threats that forced his family into exile, unpredictable work, and searching for his missing child. Despite these difficulties, he was told that Jesus was destined for both glory and suffering (see Luke 2:34-35).

Let us ask St Joseph, patron of families, to protect our families, support couples in their commitments and guide us through challenges while helping us recognise God’s presence in family life.

St Joseph, protect our families and help us feel God’s presence through life’s challenges.

Joseph – the Man of Loving Service

‘To love and to serve’ motto of the Mill Hill Missionaries

The Jewish ideal valued righteousness: actively obeying God’s will, as Joseph did through immediate and loving service to his family, community, employers and God.

In 1866, Herbert  Vaughan adopted the motto ‘To love and to serve’ for St Joseph’s  Missionary Society, inspired by Joseph’s example. Vaughan linked the biblical command to ‘Go to Joseph’ (Genesis 41:55) with both the Old and New Testament figures, highlighting their goodness and service.

Although Joseph led an obscure life with little recognition and left no writings, his quiet obedience remains a model of trust in God and faithful service.

St Joseph, may your life of love and service inspire us to be faithful, unselfish and devoted to doing God’s Will.

Joseph – the Patron of a Happy Death

‘At death life is changed, not ended’ cf. the Roman Missal: Preface for Christian Death

Although the Gospels do not mention his death, tradition portrays St Joseph dying with Jesus and Mary at his side, making his passing considered ‘happy’ due to their presence.

The Gospels’ omission of Joseph’s death may highlight its meaning for Christians. Physically present during Jesus’ early life, Joseph remains spiritually influential throughout the Gospel narrative – for instance, in references to fatherhood or stories like the Prodigal Son. Joseph does not simply vanish; instead, he becomes part of the Gospel’s story, much as loved ones become woven into our lives after their passing.

St Joseph, may your happy death, in the company of Mary and Jesus, remind us that at our death our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, are indeed not ended, but changed.