St. Joseph is the "Strong Silent Type" of the Bible. He appears in all the Gospels. He is the foster father of God. He is the husband of the Queen of Heaven. And yet, he never says a word. Not one quote.
But actions speak louder than words. Joseph's actions—protecting, fleeing, working, listening—shout across history. Pope Pius IX declared him Patron of the Universal Church. St. Teresa of Avila said she never asked him for anything that he didn't grant. And the demons? They are terrified of him.
Here is why you need St. Joseph in your corner, especially in March (his month).
1. The Chosen Father
Imagine God the Father looking down at all the men who ever lived—from Adam to the end of time—to choose one man to be the father of His only Son. He needed a man who could:
- Protect the Immaculate Conception (Mary).
- Teach God how to be a man (Jesus).
- Lead the Holy Family through the desert.
He chose a carpenter from Nazareth. Joseph wasn't chosen because he was old and harmless (as some bad art depicts him). He was chosen because he was just (righteous) and strong. To protect a young virgin and a baby from Herod's assassins, to traverse the desert to Egypt, to build a home from scratch—this required a young, vigorous man, not an old man with a cane.
The Lesson: Holiness is not weakness. It is strength under control.
2. The Terror of Demons
One of St. Joseph's most badass titles in his Litany is "Terror of Demons." Why? The demons fear him for two reasons:
- His Purity/Obedience: Demons thrive on rebellion. Joseph was perfectly obedient. When the angel said "Go," he went. His humility crushes their pride.
- His Authority: Joseph had fatherly authority over Jesus on earth. Think about that. God obeyed Joseph. ("And he was obedient to them" - Luke 2:51). If Jesus obeyed Joseph on earth, He listens to him in Heaven. When Joseph asks for something, it's done. The demons know this.
Pro-Tip: If you are struggling with "demons" like temptation, addiction, or nightmares, invoke St. Joseph Terror of Demons. They will flee.
3. The Patron of a Happy Death
St. Joseph is the Patron of the Dying. Why? Because he had the happiest death in human history. Tradition says he died before Jesus began His public ministry, likely in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Imagine that. Taking your last breath while looking into the eyes of God (your Son) and the Mother of God (your wife). It doesn't get better than that.
We pray to him that we, too, may have a "happy death"—meaning, dying in a state of grace, fortified by the Sacraments, surrounded by prayer.
4. The Worker (Sanctifying the Grind)
Joseph was a tekton—a builder/craftsman. He worked with stone and wood. It was hard, sweaty, manual labor. Before Joseph, work was seen as a curse (Genesis). Joseph changed that. By having Jesus (God) work alongside him in the shop for 30 years, he sanctified work. He showed us that "holiness" isn't just for monks in a monastery. It's for men with calloused hands. It's for the 9-to-5 grind. You can become a saint by doing your job well for the glory of God.
Feast Day: St. Joseph the Worker (May 1).
5. The "Sleeping St. Joseph"
Pope Francis popularized a devotion to the "Sleeping St. Joseph." He keeps a statue of Joseph sleeping on his desk. If he has a problem he can't solve, he writes it on a piece of paper and puts it under the statue. Why? Because God spoke to Joseph in his dreams.
- "Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife." (Dream 1)
- "Take the child and flee to Egypt." (Dream 2)
- "Go back to Israel." (Dream 3)
Joseph slept, but his heart was awake. He trusted God to handle the problems while he rested. It is a lesson for us: Rest. Stop overthinking. Give the problem to God, go to sleep, and trust that He will give you the answer in the morning.
The Litany of St. Joseph (Highlights)
(Pray this every Wednesday!)
- Noble Offspring of David, pray for us.
- Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
- Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us.
- Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us.
- Foster-Father of the Son of God, pray for us.
- Head of the Holy Family, pray for us.
- Joseph Most Just, pray for us.
- Mirror of Patience, pray for us.
- Lover of Poverty, pray for us.
- Model of Workmen, pray for us.
- Glory of Home Life, pray for us.
- Guardian of Virgins, pray for us.
- Pillar of Families, pray for us.
- Solace of the Wretched, pray for us.
- Hope of the Sick, pray for us.
- Patron of the Dying, pray for us.
- Terror of Demons, pray for us.
- Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Conclusion: Go to Joseph
In the Old Testament, when famine struck Egypt, Pharaoh told the people: "Go to Joseph" (Ite ad Joseph). The New Testament says the same. Is your family starving for peace? Is your work unfulfilling? Are you afraid of the future? Go to Joseph. He protected Jesus. He will protect you.
Want to make a Consecration to St. Joseph? We have the full 33-day program in the MyPrayerTower app.