St. Joseph often seems like a mysterious saint as he never spoke in Scripture, but his actions speak clearly of his fatherhood. St. Joseph shows us that good fatherhood is more than what you say but who you are and what your actions show.

A Righteous Man

St. Joseph was chosen by God to be the foster-father of Jesus because he was a righteous man who could lead both him and Mary in the way that was necessary. At the heart of the word righteous, it means to be a good and faithful servant of God who is honorable and virtuous. Fatherhood was a call from God that St. Joseph accepted wholeheartedly. He is a model for all fathers as he truly shows what saying “yes” to fatherhood looks like. It didn’t mean things would be perfect or lack hardships, but he chose to trust God’s call and lead his family.

Characteristics to Model

St. Joseph has many characteristics that are modeled by fathers. He may not have spoken recorded words in Scripture, but his actions provide opportunities to imitate him.

• Discernment

“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her… he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:20, 24).

This was a moment of deep trust in God. Joseph was unaware of what accepting Mary and Jesus would look like but trusted enough to do what God asked of him. Good discernment is a characteristic that all fathers should strive toward. St. Joseph is a model of discernment.

• Protection

“’Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.’ Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt” (Matthew 2:13-14)

In this moment, Joseph was called to action. He chose his family over himself and protected them regardless of what difficulty lay ahead. The desire to protect his family is something experienced by every father. St. Joseph is a model of protection.

• Sacrificial Care

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions…when his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.’” (Luke 2:46,48)

St. Joseph, alongside Mary, was filled with anguish as they were unable to find Jesus for three days. The anguish of a parent is real whether it’s losing sight of a child for a moment in a crowd or seeing them struggle with something. A father is moved with sacrificial care in those moments of anguish, wanting only to help his child. St. Joseph is a model of care.

Pointing to the Father

St. Joseph chooses to serve instead of focusing on being seen and his entire life points to God the Father. Fathers are called to reflect God’s fatherhood which is self-giving, protective, and life-giving.

As St. Josemaría Escrivá said, “How could we keep from loving Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues? Now, what else did he do in all his life but contemplate, study, and adore Jesus, even in the midst of his daily labors? Behold, therefore, our model.”

Honoring Fathers

Honoring our earthly fathers takes on a deeper meaning when seen through the lens of St. Joseph. Every father, even imperfectly, reflects the image of St. Joseph and the virtuous life he lived.

Father’s Day is an opportunity to recognize and thank our fathers and father-figures not only for the things they have done, but who they mirror. Their fatherhood is a participation in the fatherhood of St. Joseph. It is also important to recognize that many have fathers who have died or broken relationships with their fathers. This reality is heartbreaking and difficult, but Joseph wants to be invited into this place. Joseph can fill gaps that earthly fatherhood can leave. Father’s Day can also carry a quiet but deep ache for those who long to be fathers but have not yet received that gift and for those whose children live with the Lord following miscarriage or loss. These men are not expected to simply endure this holiday but are encouraged to look to Joseph who knows fatherly love and sorrow firsthand. No fatherly love is without meaning in the eyes of the Lord. St. Joseph’s intercession is available to everyone – in 1870, Pope Pius IX named Joseph patron of the Universal Church and spiritual father to all.

Father’s Day invites all to grow closer to St. Joseph and God the Father. Perhaps you can pray the prayer to St. Joseph, complete a consecration to St. Joseph, or pray the Litany of St. Joseph with or for your father or father-figures in your life.

For the prayer to St. Joseph, click here.

For information about the Consecration to St. Joseph, click here.

For the Litany of St. Joseph, click here.