As we recently celebrated the Solemnity of St. Joseph, The Tablet is offering some reflections on this great saint. Sacred art has often portrayed Joseph in the background, holding a carpenter’s tool or cradling the Christ Child. One striking example is Guido Reni’s “Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus,” where Joseph’s protective embrace speaks volumes about his silent yet steadfast guardianship.
His humility mirrors the divine paradox: God often works through the lowly to bring about His kingdom. St. Paul, in the letter to the Romans, describes Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises. Joseph shares in this legacy of faith. Though Scripture records no words from Joseph, his actions speak loudly.
When faced with the extraordinary — Mary’s pregnancy by the Holy Spirit — he chooses faith over doubt, obedience over self-will. Pope Francis, in “Patris Corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), calls Joseph “a man of creative courage.” Like Abraham, Joseph trusted in the impossible, becoming an instrument of grace for the entire world. Joseph’s faith is akin to the quiet but powerful harmony in sacred music, such as Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” which conveys profound reverence and trust in divine providence without unnecessary flourish.
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that virtue is perfected in action. Joseph exemplifies this in the Gospel from Matthew, where he receives and obeys God’s will through dreams. Despite fear, he takes Mary as his wife and provides Jesus with a home and a name. Joseph’s prudence guided him to discern God’s will. His justice ensured that Mary and Jesus received the care and protection they needed.
His fortitude carried him through trials like the flight into Egypt. Each virtue shines in Joseph, making him a model for every Christian who seeks to live a life of holiness. In sacred art, this balance of action and contemplation is beautifully captured in Georges de La Tour’s “The Dream of Saint Joseph,” where Joseph is bathed in divine light, attentive to the angel’s message. The painting invites us to trust, like Joseph, in the quiet yet transformative whispers of God.
St. Joseph’s life challenges us to trust God amid uncertainties. Like him, we are called to respond to God’s plans with faith and courage. As Pope Francis reflects, Joseph’s silence is not passivity but active listening — a disposition of openness to God’s voice. We can also see Joseph as a patron of workers and families, reminding us of the dignity of labor and the sanctity of family life. His role as a foster father speaks to the beauty of spiritual fatherhood, a gift that transcends biology.
As we meditate on the life of St. Joseph, let us seek his intercession. Let his humility inspire our actions, his faith strengthen our trust in God, and his obedience guide our discernment. Through sacred art, sacred music, and the timeless teachings of the Church, we glimpse Joseph’s greatness — not in grandeur but in the quiet, faithful fulfillment of God’s will.