QUOTATION: Saint Joseph

The prudence of Saint Joseph is part of our Catholic faith. It is especially shown in his remarkable practice of silence. Of course, Joseph talked. Yet the Gospels do not record a single word he spoke, no doubt to teach us that if we wish to practice the virtue of prudence, we must look to our practice of silence.

--Fr. John Hardon, “St. Joseph - Foster Father of Jesus”

QUOTATION: Saint. Joseph

When [St. Joseph] saw Our Lady was pregnant-- that she was going to have a baby-- immediately he was hurt. But he loved Our Lady. Deep down in his heart her loved her and knew in his mind, "If I go to the priest and tell, immediately they will stone her." He did not know that Our Lady had conceived by the power of the Spirit, but he knew that if told she would be stoned-- and that if he was silent, he would be stoned. So what did he decide? "I will not tell. I will leave her and go away and people will blame me." This is love.

--Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Where There is Love, There is God, Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., Ed

QUOTATION: How to Invoke St. Joseph

When you invoke St. Joseph, you don’t have to say much. Say, ‘if you were in my place St. Joseph, what would you do? Well, pray for this on my behalf.’

--St. Andre Bessette

QUOTATION: St. Joseph

Some saints are privileged to extend to us their patronage with particular efficacy in certain needs, but not in others; but our holy patron St. Joseph has the power to assist us in all cases, in every necessity, in every undertaking.

--St. Thomas Aquinas

QUOTATION: The Unborn Christ

Mary and Joseph needed to be instructed concerning Christ’s birth before He was born, because it devolved on them to show reverence to the child conceived in the womb, and to serve Him even before He was born.

St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, III, Q. 36, art. 2, ad 2.

QUOTATION: Saint Joseph

We cannot help but marvel at the faith of Saint Joseph. Tormenting doubts harass his soul and he is on the point of leaving Mary. But an angel appears to him and all his doubts and fears vanish. On the angel's word He accepts the mystery of the Incarnation. In the ensuing years his faith was to be frequently put to the test. At Bethlehem he had to content himself with a stable for a home where the Incarnate Word might be born. Soon after, he was forced to flee in order to save the Infant God, and when later he returned to the tiny village of Nazareth it was to live there unknown and in dire poverty. All these trials only tempered his faith. Although he sees only the Child's wretchedness and poverty, his faith pierces the shroud and uncovers the hidden God within this weak baby frame. Because his faith was so strong, Joseph's mind and heart bowed in perfect adoration. Imitate his faith as you kneel before the humble Christ annihilated in the Eucharist. Pierce the veil which covers this furnace of love and adore the hidden God. At the same time respect the veil of love and make the immolation of your mind and heart your most beautiful homage of faith.

-- St. Peter Julian Eymard