by Bob Waruszewski
Original Article

St. Joseph often slips under the radar because of his quiet demeanor and hidden life. However, he has much to teach us about growing in holiness. Here are 5 reasons to discover St. Joseph.

1. He is the Patron Saint of Workers.

As men work takes up a great portion of our lives. Often we struggle to work in a way that honors God. St. Joseph can teach us how to work well if we ask him. One way to do this is to start your work day with a prayer to St. Joseph.

St. Joseph is also good to invoke if you are having difficulty finding a job. He was commissioned to provide for the Son of God, so he fully understands the pressure men face to provide for their families. In my own life, I have seen the power of St. Joseph’s intercession in finding my friends jobs.

2. His Intercession is Powerful.

A seminarian once told me of the powerful intercession of St. Joseph. He explained that whenever he needed something, he asked for St. Joseph’s help, and his needs were met. Over the past few years, I have witnessed this in my own life. St. Joseph has answered many of my prayers ,whether it be finding a job or starting a family. In her autobiography, St. Teresa of Avila gives us some insight into why St. Joseph’s intercession is so powerful.

"To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities, but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succors us in them all, and that the Lord wishes to teach us that, as He was Himself subject to him on earth, (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks."

3. He Models Fatherhood for Us.

God the Father chose St. Joseph from all men to be the foster-father of Jesus. That truly says something about his character, for he was entrusted with leading, providing for and protecting the Son of God and God’s greatest creature, Our Lady. Joseph faithfully served the Holy Family and protected them from danger so that they could fulfill God’s mission.

St. Joseph taught Jesus in his humanity how to be a man. No doubt he taught him how to be a faithful Jew, as well as the trade of carpentry. He models well for us fathers how to be the spiritual leaders of our families. Like St. Joseph, we are called to show the love of God the Father to our wives and children.

4. He was an obedient man

Every time God asked him to do something, Joseph was eager to say yes. Whether that was taking Mary as his wife, going to Bethlehem for the census, or fleeing with his family to Egypt, Joseph always followed God’s will immediately. In an age where we are told to do things our own way, Joseph is a great reminder that true greatness is found in following God’s will, not our own.

5. He was a man of silence

We never hear a word from St. Joseph in the Bible for he was a man of great silence. Because of this silence, he was able to hear God’s voice and discern his will for the Holy Family. In an age of noise and many words, Joseph reminds us that if we wish to hear God’s voice, we must quiet our hearts and enter into the silence.

Go to Joseph!

These are just a few of the many reasons why every Catholic man should develop devotion to St. Joseph. With his feast day coming up in March, it is the perfect time to learn about this great saint and ask for his intercession to live a holy life.

"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"

Further Reading:

The Life of St. Joseph

Joseph’s Way

Saint Joseph: A Man for All Seasons

St. Joseph’s Advent Virtues