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Saint Joseph Protector of Christ, Model for Families

Saint Joseph Protector of Christ, Model for Families

Last updated on: April 23, 2026 at 3:17 pm by Father Pablo Migone

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Saint Joseph Protector of Christ, Model for Families 2026-04-23T15:17:35-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

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The twentieth century Spanish Saint Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer suggested that the most important male saint of the church is not a martyr, a priest or a bishop. The most important saint is a father, a husband and a worker – Saint Joseph. The reason Saint Josemaría gave was that Saint Joseph was given the critical and singular task to protect the presence of God in the world by protecting Jesus.

When Saint Joseph decided to divorce the Virgin Mary quietly after he learned about her pregnancy, he received a dream where God revealed that the child had been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph made a significant choice at that moment. He chose to take on the responsibility of raising this child, becoming the earthly father and protector of the Son of God.

When Mary and Joseph departed from Nazareth to be counted in the census in Bethlehem, Joseph made sure that Mary and the baby in her womb were comfortable. Even before the birth of Jesus, Saint Joseph was a responsible father ensuring the journey went well. Once they arrived to Bethlehem, Saint Joseph desperately sought a place for his wife to give birth. He was unable to find an inn, but he did find a suitable, simple place where Jesus could be born. He protected the newborn child from the elements by holding him warmly inside a cave.

Saint Joseph once again took responsibility of his family when he received a second dream warning him of the evil intentions of Herod. To protect the newborn baby, Joseph led his family to Egypt until the danger passed. Finally, Joseph returned to Nazareth where he taught Jesus his own profession. The Son of God became the son of the carpenter under the careful guidance of Saint Joseph.

Even though the Gospels showcase Saint Joseph’s unique role as protector of Jesus, the Gospels do not record a single spoken word by the saint. Perhaps he was a quiet man? Or perhaps the evangelists did not see the need to record any of Joseph’s words since his actions already spoke loudly enough?

In the same way God the Father gave Saint Joseph a responsibility within his family to protect Jesus, it is important to consider what responsibilities God gives each one of us within our families. Every parent receives, like Saint Joseph, a critical and singular responsibility in raising and educating children. When a Catholic family is established through the Sacrament of Marriage, the priest or deacon asks the couple, “are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?” Catholic families are not only called to be open to life, but to accept the responsibility as Saint Joseph did to protect the presence of God in their children. When a candle is lit from the Paschal Candle at a baptism, the parents and godparents hear, “this light is entrusted to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ, and is to walk always as a child of the light.” Children are entrusted to their parents, and assume the greatest responsibility given to a person by God, the role of a mother and father.

Saint Joseph reminds us that greatness in the eyes of God is often found not in words spoken or recognition received, but in quiet faithfulness to the responsibilities entrusted to us. Through his obedience, courage, and self-giving love, Joseph protected the presence of God within his family and allowed Christ to grow in wisdom, age, and grace. In every age, parents are called to this same sacred task: to safeguard the light of Christ entrusted to their children and to nurture it through example, sacrifice, and love. By turning to Saint Joseph as a model and intercessor, families can find the strength to persevere in their vocation and discover that, like him, their daily acts of faithfulness participate in God’s saving work in the world.

Picture by Clorinda Bell

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