Page 79 - Reflections on St. Joseph

1986) re the Holy Spirit, Redemptor Hominis (4 March 1979) re Jesus Christ. From this first
encyclical Redemptor Hominis flows the horizontal movement highlighting the image of the Holy
Family: Redemtoris Mater (25 March 1987) re Mary, Redemptoris Custos (15 August 1989) re St.
Joseph and then culminating on the Redemptoris Missio (17 December 1990) about the mission
of the Church. Here we can see the theological movement of the mission from the Trinity (Missio
Trinitatis) unfolding in the mystery of Incarnation and Redemption (Mysterium Salutis) and there
flows the mission of the Church (Missio Ecclesiae).

In this theological and missionary movement, John Paul II places St. Joseph at the heart of
redemption and in the mystery of incarnation and highlights his role as the legal father of Jesus
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and husband of Mary and as the guardian and protector of the Holy Family . It is important to
note here the title used by the document to describe St. Joseph “custos” or guardian. It gives light
to the nature of “fatherhood” of Joseph. Though St. Joseph is not the biological father of Jesus, he
remains as the father of Jesus by the virtue of his marriage to Mary and together they form a
genuine family. «In this family, Joseph is the father: his fatherhood is not one that derives from
begetting offspring; but neither is it an “apparent” or merely “substitute” fatherhood. Rather, it
is one that fully shares in authentic human fatherhood and the mission of a father in the family»
2 .

In this light, considering Joseph as the custos, he is not only a father to Jesus or a husband to Mary
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but also a «guardian and cooperator in the providential mystery of God» . As a custos, Joseph
dedicated himself at the service of the Incarnate Word, his life becomes a total dedication to the
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service of the Messiah and Holy Family of Nazareth . This humble and faithful service that
characterized St. Joseph is also what inspired Pope Francis to consider him as his model as he
leads the people of God. In his homily during the Mass for the inauguration of his Petrine ministry
which falls on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and Patron of the Universal Church,
he emphasizes the image of St. Joseph as custos considering him as an authentic image of service
and responding to the Christian vocation.

«Joseph is a “protector” because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for
this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons entrusted to his safekeeping. He can look at
things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions. In
him, dear friends, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly, but we also see the
core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can
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protect others, so that we can protect creation!» .

This significantly previews his peculiar way of leadership and the ecclesiological approach of his
pontificate. He adapted the Latin American inductive method for theology basing on the concept:
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See-Judge-Act . This is prominent in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium and in his
encyclical letter Laudato si’. Another notable aspect of his theology and ecclesiology is his great
respect and consideration to the sensus fidei specially on what the Latin American theology calls
the “theology of the people.” This very evident in his homilies and messages and at times, he
would even promote special devotions.

In his apostolic journey to the Philippines, he indirectly promoted his personal devotion to St.
Joseph particularly the image of the Sleeping St. Joseph. He said that he has this image on top of
his table and whenever he would have a difficult problem he would write it on a piece of paper

Reflections on st. joseph 55