Let’s talk about St. Joseph, the quietest member of the Holy Family.
We know him for his gentleness, his work ethic, his strength, and his beautiful acceptance of God’s will in his life. St. Joseph is one of the most beloved figures in the Church, acting as a patron to many saints throughout the ages including St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Faustina, St. Josemaria Escriva- the list goes on.
But we actually have very little firsthand knowledge of St. Joseph. He shows up in the Gospels, but apart from the little description we receive there, we do not have much to go off of in terms of his life.
St. Patrick and His World author Mike Aquilina allows us to better understand St. Joseph by providing the context in which he lived his life in his book, St. Joseph and His World. With his help, we are able to step into the world of this great saint and grow in appreciation for the humble carpenter who would become the foster father of Jesus Christ.
Scott Hahn writes in his forward to St. Joseph and His World: “You’ll learn about Nazareth — and how it was created almost ex nihilo shortly before Joseph’s birth. You’ll learn about religious practice and education in that place and time. You’ll travel to Egypt and encounter the fascinating settlements of Jews in that land. You’ll also find out how a carpenter worked in those days: what tools he used, what items he crafted, where he got his training, and how he got to and from his job sites. This book provides an imaginative entry into one of the most important lives in all of history — a life too often obscured by later legends. "
One reviewer said, “Best book on St Joseph I have read this year. I feel I was walking next to him. What a great idea to write what was happening in his time. Made him seem so real.”
Get to know St. Joseph better by reading St. Joseph and His World, available in print and ebook.
