God’s Grace: Devotion to St. Joseph and Trusting in Him

Why Should We Be More Devoted to St. Joseph?

Why should people consider being more devoted to St. Joseph in the first place? My initial reasoning for the faithful fostering a deeper devotion to St. Joseph stems from the fact that he was chosen by God to care for both the Virgin Mary and the Divine Child Jesus, and he succeeded.

The responsibility placed upon St. Joseph was extraordinary. He was entrusted with protecting and providing for the Holy Family, ensuring their safety amidst great dangers. One of the most striking examples of his obedience and trust in God was the flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).

When warned in a dream about King Herod’s plan to kill the Christ Child, St. Joseph acted immediately, leading Mary and Jesus to safety. His unwavering faith and willingness to follow God’s will, even in uncertainty, make him a powerful example for all believers.

St. Joseph was also a model of virtue, humility, and strength. As a father figure to Jesus, he demonstrated what true masculinity and holiness look like. He teaches us the importance of silent, faithful service and absolute trust in God’s providence. Deepening our devotion to St. Joseph will invite his intercession in our own lives, seeking his guidance and protection as we strive for holiness.

St. Joseph’s Mission: A Testament to Trust in God

The scope of St. Joseph’s mission from Our Lord is somewhat mind-boggling if one were to think about everything that transpired. Jesus chose Mary as His mother and chose St. Joseph to be his foster father. St. Joseph protected both Our Lord and Our Lady from the dangers that were around them.

Take the flight into Egypt for example, King Herod set out to eliminate any male infants that posed a threat to his kingdom. Being told to take Mary as his wife and fly into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15) in order to keep Jesus safe and doing exactly that without second guessing. His docility to the grace of God was almost unparalleled.

St. Joseph in his own right shows that he is a man of deep prayer and St. Joseph would have been an example to Jesus on what true masculinity is. If St. Joseph was good enough for Jesus then he is good enough for the faithful. He can aid us on the path to purity and he will lead us on toward both Jesus and Our Lady.

Leaving your country of origin and moving into a culture that is vastly different from your own is no easy task (Matthew 1:21) Despite the perceived difficulty God’s will was done and the life of Jesus was spared from the wrath of King Herod.

A Guide for Our Spiritual Lives

Beyond his historical role, St. Joseph continues to serve as a powerful intercessor for the Church. As the patron of fathers, workers, and the Universal Church, he provides an example of steadfast faith, humility, and obedience. In today’s world, where uncertainty and fear often cloud our decisions, St. Joseph reminds us to trust in God’s plan without hesitation. Turning to him in prayer can help seek his guidance in our own lives, asking for his help in our work, our families, and our spiritual journeys. His quiet strength and unwavering faith offer a model for all believers striving to live according to God’s will.

St. Joseph also teaches us the importance of silence and contemplation. Though Scripture records no spoken words from him, his actions speak volumes. He shows us that holiness is not found in grand gestures but in faithfully fulfilling the duties God entrusts to us.

Whether we are parents, workers, or single individuals seeking our purpose, St. Joseph’s example encourages us to remain patient, trust in divine providence, and serve others with love and humility. Through devotion to him, we can grow in our faith, strengthen our relationships, and walk more closely with Christ, finding peace and purpose in God’s divine plan for our lives.

Protector of the Universal Church

St. Joseph is not only the foster father of Jesus but also the protector of the Universal Church. Just as he safeguarded the Holy Family, he continues to watch over the faithful, interceding for the Church in times of difficulty. His title as Patron of the Universal Church, declared by Pope Pius IX in 1870, reminds us that we can entrust the Church’s needs and our personal concerns to his powerful intercession.

Throughout history, many popes and saints have emphasized the importance of devotion to St. Joseph. Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic exhortation Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer), highlighted St. Joseph’s unique role in salvation history and encouraged Catholics to turn to him as a guide and protector.

In a time when the Church faces challenges from within and outside, calling upon St. Joseph’s help is more important than ever. He is a model of faithfulness, purity, and humility—virtues that are essential for both clergy and laity in remaining steadfast in their faith.

By invoking St. Joseph’s intercession, we can ask for his protection over our families, our communities, and the Church as a whole. His example of trust and obedience to God’s will serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that no matter the trials we face, God’s plan will always prevail.

St. Joseph as a Patron for Families, Fathers, and Workers

St. Joseph holds a special role in the lives of families, particularly for fathers who seek to emulate his virtues of strength, humility, and selfless love. In a time when fatherhood is often undervalued, he serves as a reminder of the importance of leading with faith and providing not only material support but also spiritual guidance to one’s family. Fathers can turn to him as a model of patience, wisdom, and integrity, learning from his quiet leadership.

Beyond fatherhood, St. Joseph is also the patron of workers. He spent his life as a carpenter, laboring to provide for Mary and Jesus. His work was not glamorous, yet he approached it with dedication and love, showing that all honest labor has value in the eyes of God. In today’s fast-paced world, where work can often feel meaningless or exhausting, St. Joseph reminds us that our daily efforts, when offered to God, can become acts of holiness. Whether one is a laborer, an office worker, a teacher, or a caretaker, St. Joseph’s example teaches that work done with faith and integrity is pleasing to the Lord.

For families striving to build a strong foundation of faith, St. Joseph’s presence is an inspiration. His unwavering devotion to Mary and Jesus demonstrates the importance of love, sacrifice, and trust in God’s will. By inviting St. Joseph into our homes through prayer and devotion, we can ask for his protection, guidance, and blessings on our families.

How to Grow Closer to St. Joseph

If we desire to grow in our relationship with St. Joseph, there are many ways to incorporate devotion to him into our daily lives:

1. Pray the Litany of St. Joseph – This powerful prayer calls upon his many titles and attributes, seeking his guidance and protection.
2. Consecrate Yourself to St. Joseph – Similar to Marian consecration, dedicating oneself to St. Joseph strengthens one’s spiritual life and invites his intercession.
3. Celebrate His Feast Days – March 19th (Solemnity of St. Joseph) and May 1st (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker) are excellent times to honor him.
4. Meditate on His Life – Reflecting on his virtues and role in the Holy Family can deepen our understanding of his significance.
5. Entrust Your Work and Family to Him – Asking for his help in daily responsibilities brings peace and strength.

Through these practices, we can invite St. Joseph into our hearts and homes, allowing him to guide us on our journey of faith. His unwavering trust in God serves as a reminder that, regardless of the uncertainties we face, God is always in control.

The Power of St. Joseph’s Intercession

St. Joseph is not only a role model but also a powerful intercessor. Many saints, including St. Teresa of Ávila, spoke of the incredible graces that come from praying to him. She famously said, “I do not remember that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant.”

His intercession is particularly sought in times of financial difficulty, employment struggles, family issues, and personal discernment. The devotion to the Sleeping St. Joseph, inspired by Pope Francis, encourages the faithful to place their prayers and worries under a statue of a sleeping St. Joseph, trusting that just as he received divine messages in his sleep, he will intercede for those who turn to him.

Many miracles and graces have been attributed to those who seek his help, from securing employment to overcoming personal hardships. His role as Terror of Demons also highlights his strength in protecting the faithful from spiritual attacks, making him a powerful advocate against temptation and evil.

Entrusting Our Daily Lives to St. Joseph

St. Joseph’s intercession is not limited to extraordinary circumstances; he is also a guide and protector in the small, daily struggles of life. Whether it is seeking patience in difficult situations, wisdom in decision-making, or perseverance in faith, St. Joseph provides a model of how to live with trust and humility.

One simple way to invite his guidance into our daily lives is through the St. Joseph Prayer for Daily Protection, asking for his intercession each morning before starting the day. Another powerful practice is to place important work decisions, family concerns, or personal struggles under his care, much like how he provided for Mary and Jesus with unwavering dedication.

A Model of Holiness and Trust

There was certainly a high risk involved with trusting in the angle that appeared to him in a dream, his trust in God was at such a high level that he was able to take the information he received from the angle and then take the next best course of action. St. Joseph’s level of holiness was truly on another level. Most of us do not come across messages from God being dictated to us in a dream.

The dreams of a vast number of people are not to be trusted. I’ve personally found that my own dreams come to be no more than a confusing mess, but this is not so with St. Joseph.

St. Joseph being the foster father of Jesus holds a special place within His Sacred Heart and I would certainly say that St. Joseph should hold a special place within the hearts of Catholics in general. St. Joseph Terror of Demons happens to be one of the patrons of the Knights of the Holy Eucharist, and he can easily become a patron saint of other Catholics as well and this certainly holds true for husbands and fathers as well as men in general. All we have to do is reach out. St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, pray for us!

The article was written by: Br. Athanasius Mary of the Knights of the Holy Eucharist