Relatively little is known about the life of St. Joseph except for what is written in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Gospels place him in the line of David. Though St. Joseph was descended from royalty, it was not a title to rank or riches. Everything known about Joseph suggests he was poor, for example, the offering of only two turtle doves at the Temple.
Joseph's family belonged to Bethlehem of Judea, but he had moved to Nazareth in Galilee to take up the occupation of a builder. There is no reason to suggest he was older than 20 or 24 years old when he wed Mary, who would have been 15 to 20 years of age. Matthew mentions to Joseph of Mary's conception, the visit of the Magi, the flight to Egypt and the return to Nazareth. Luke fills in the details of the birth of Christ, the Presentation and the temporary loss of Jesus in Jerusalem at the age of twelve. After that, Joseph disappears from the pages of the Gospel. Since he is not mentioned during the ministry of Jesus or at the Passion, it is assumed that he had already died by that point.
Other stories surround the life of Joseph These stories include a first marriage where Joseph was widowed, his great age of 111 years and his protracted death where he receives comfort from Mary and Jesus. The Gospels are really the only reliable source of information on Joseph's life and though they are brief, they give a good outline of his character. St. Joseph was a faithful, patient man, obedient to the demands of God and willingly accepting of hardships. The content of prayer begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ, and through him to the Virgin Mary and the Saints of the Church.
There is a deep and intimate relationship that exists between prayer and personal life. The seeking of union with Christ in prayer is not just quiet time activity, but it is a process that runs throughout the day. It is therefore no surprise then that a life of constant distractions, habitual sin, and possession overload will lead to a prayer of distractions and a strong sense of time-wasting.
However, the experience of these 'failings' are the very way to open the heart to God, and so become open with the prayer to St Joseph and to seek new life. Many saints have seen the connection, and say that the journey to the the spiritual life start with humble beginnings and prayers. The total experience of God with the complete forgetfulness of self, begins at the fundamental level of going beyond oneself in compassion and self-giving and forgiveness in daily life.
With the purchase of Saint Joseph Prayer Pamphlet you will receive 35 Catholic Prayers free for download.
Saint Joseph Prayer Pamphlet with Medal
