In this second of four sessions on St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, we discuss the theological reflections of the saints and great theologians on St Joseph. How old was St Joseph? Had he ever been married before? Was he conceived without sin? Did he ever commit a sin in his whole life? Was he assumed body and soul into heaven?
We answer all these questions!
Listen online [here]!
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St Joseph in Scripture
and in the Church
Devotion to St Joseph,
Patron of the Universal Church
Session 2 – St Joseph in the
Theological Reflection of the Saints
Outline
of Session 2: Review of the Apocrypha,
St Joseph and the Order of the Hypostatic Union, St Joseph’s Authority over
Jesus and Mary, Sanctification in the Womb, Concupiscence and Venial Sin, the
Age of Joseph and his Virginity, Assumed into Heaven.
Overview
of the Course, 4 sessions 1) St Joseph in Scripture 2) St Joseph in the
Writings of the Saints 3) The Miracles of St Joseph in the Life of the Church 4)
Practical Devotion to St Joseph
I. St
Joseph in the Apocrypha
A Overview
and Evaluation of the Apocrypha.
1. Four
basic points: Extra miracles, St Joseph miraculously chosen as spouse, St
Joseph’s extreme old age, his previous marriage and children (even
grandchildren older than Mary).
2. While we do gain some helpful information from the Apocrypha, we
must be discerning. We will discuss the question of St Joseph’s age and
(grand)children, which may be an excellent example of the exaggeration typical
of the Apocrypha.
II. St Joseph and the Hypostatic Order
A. What is the Hypostatic Order?
Hypostatic, “Person,” referring to the single Person of Christ in
Two Natures – Hypostatic Union. The plan of God for the salvation of the
world is “not only the mystery of the Divine Incarnation itself, but also the
mode and order in which this mystery was to be accomplished and consequently
those persons who were principally and more immediately to have a part in it.” (The
Life and Glories of St Joseph, Thompson)
B. The Role of St Joseph in the Mystery of Incarnation.
Even as we cannot separate the Mother from the Son, neither can we
separate the Husband from the Wife. To understand the Incarnation, we need to
understand the person and role of St Joseph.
“As Mary was from eternity predestined to be the mother of the Son of
God; so also was Joseph elected to be the guardian and protector of Jesus and
Mary.” (Echius, as quoted in The Life and Glories…, Thompson)
C. The True Marriage of St Joseph and Our Lady
In the early Church, there was great concern and caution when speaking
of St Joseph as “husband” and even more as “father” – lest any should think
that the marriage of Joseph and Mary was a normal marriage.
The marriage of Mary and Joseph was central to the debate in the
middle ages regarding what constitutes a valid marriage. Is a marriage
constituted by the vows alone, or by consummation? Can those in solemn vows
enter a marriage? St Joseph and Our Lady had a true marriage in which they
exchanged the rights of matrimony, but also vowed never to exercise those rights
– a true ratified marriage.
St Augustine, and perhaps St Albert and St Thomas, as well as some
medieval theologians will go so far as to say that Christ is the fruit of the
marriage and even the offspring of the marriage. Thus, this marriage was truly
“open to life” – as the very Life itself came through their marriage.
III. St Joseph’s Authority
A. The Authority of St Joseph flows from the truth of the marriage
and his paternal role.
B. St Luke tells us that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary.
IV. St Joseph’s Sanctity
A. St Joseph is excellent over all others excepting Mary, he is
even greater than St John the Baptist: “It is more to be father and ruler of
Christ than to be his herald and forerunner.” (Cornelius a Lapide)
“These graces, these spiritual prerogatives, of Joseph are great,
are eminent, are most certain, and are so exclusively his that they have not
been given to any other saint.” (Pope Benedict XIV)
“There are other ministries which belong to the order of the
Hypostatic Union, which in its kind is more perfect, as is apparent from the
divine maternity of Mary; and in this order is the ministry of St Joseph.”
(Suarez)
B. Freed from original sin before birth. From the 15th
century on, it is a common opinion that St Joseph was freed from original sin
while in the womb. Indeed, this was
given to St John the Baptist and Jeremiah the Prophet, how much more this grace
is suited to St Joseph! St Alphonsus
holds this.
C. Concupiscence subdued. St Thomas had believed that Mary was only
freed from original sin in the moment of her conception (not immaculately
conceived); but, based on this, he held that concupiscence and all disordered
attraction to sin. Would this not apply to St Joseph?
We believe that our Lord gave Mary to St John at the foot of the
Cross, “Giving The Virgin to a Virgin” – does this not apply even more
excellently to St Joseph? So that he had not even the least movement toward or
desire for sin?
D. St Joseph never committed a mortal sin. Nor even a deliberate
venial sin. Any venial sin? Any imperfection? Consider that, excepting Mary,
none loved Jesus as did Joseph nor was any other loved by our Lord so
excellently. Likewise, the union of Joseph and Mary was so great that she
obtained for him the most excellent graces. At the very least, we would hold he
was perfected after the marriage.
V. The Age of St Joseph and Questions of a Previous Marriage
A. The extreme advanced age of St Joseph is postulated primarily to
remove any suspicion contrary to Mary’s virginity and to explain the “brethren
of Jesus”. However, the sanctity of
Joseph and his perfection in grace is a far better protection for Mary’s
virginity; and Scripture does not permit us to assign the brethren to a
previous marriage of Joseph.
B. Present at the foot of the Cross: Mary Magdalen and Mary the
mother of James and Joseph, and the other of the sons of Zebedee. (Matthew)
“Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joseph and Salome.”
(Mk) “The mother of Jesus, Mary of
Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.” (Jn)
Present at the Resurrection: “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.”
(Matthew) “Mary Magdalen and Mary the
Mother of James and Salome.” (Mk) “Mary Magdalen and Joanna and Mary of James.”
(Lk)
VI. St Joseph’s Glory in Heaven
A. Pope Leo XIII stated that Joseph was so united to the Virgin as
to share in a unique way in her dignity and holiness. Thus, the grace and glory
of St Joseph resembles that of Mary.
B. Matthew 27:52,53. Is it
not likely that Joseph also rose? Bernardine of Siena, Suarez, de Sales.
Francis de Sales: “What more remains to be said except that we can never for a
moment doubt that this glorious saint has great influence in heaven with him
who raised him there in body and soul – a fact which is the more probably
because we have no relic of that body left us here below? Indeed, it seems to
me that no one can doubt this as a truth, for how could he who had been so
obedient to St Joseph all through his life refuse him this grace? … Yes, St
Joseph is in heaven in body and soul; there is no doubt.”
C. St John XXIII stated this was an acceptable and pious belief
(Ascension homily, 26 May 1960).
