Page 80 - Reflections on St. Joseph

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and put it under the image so that St. Joseph would dream of it . Afterwards, he gave an inspiring
reflection about the dream of St. Joseph and his task to be the guardian of the Holy Family. He
warned the families against the «colonization of new ideologies» that destroy the family. Then,
he encouraged them to imitate St. Joseph, «Like Saint Joseph. The gift of the Holy Family was
entrusted to Saint Joseph so that he could care for it. Each of you, each of us – for I too am part of
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a family – is charged with caring for God’s plan» .

From the teachings of these Popes and in the underlying ecclesiology and theological approach,
we can see the significant role that the person of St. Joseph plays in the life of the Church. He is
considered as patron, protector, and guardian of the Universal Church. Moreover, we notice the
emerging idea of St. Joseph being a model for the faithful specially towards the path of
sanctification and dedication of one’s life to service. In fact, in the Redemptoris Custos, Pope John
Paul II expressed his “heartfelt wish” that «the very person of St. Joseph may have renewed
significance for the Church in our day in the light of the Third Millenium» . Being both a custos of
the Holy Family and a depository of the mystery of God, St. Joseph will not only be helpful in our
understanding of the Church but also of the religious life since he is the first on earth together
with Mary to contemplate in the mystery of the Word-made-Flesh and the first to take care of
the interests of Jesus.

NOTES

1 T. STRAMARE, «San Giuseppe. Il custode del redentore nella vita di Cristo e della Chiesa» in
Omelie temi di Predicazione 98 (2006) 57
2 Redemptoris Custos, n. 21.
3 Ibid., n. 14.
4 Ibid., n. 8.
5 FRANCIS, Homily during Holy Mass for the beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of
Rome (19 March 2013).
6 G.WHELAN, 11.
7 FRANCIS, Address in the Meeting with the Families Manila (16 January 2015).
8 Ibid.
9 Redemtoris Custos, n. 32

56 Reflections on st. joseph