St. Joseph is a model of true masculinity in a time when true masculinity is under attack, misunderstood, and poorly modeled by many men in our culture.
It is beautiful that Pope Francis has made this the Year of St. Joseph and I find that many people are doing the Consecration to St. Joseph.
The titles or characteristics that stand out about St. Joseph that men should take as their model are: Joseph most faithful, Joseph most just, Joseph most chaste, Joseph most prudent.
Joseph most faithful
Joseph most faithful; men are called to seek to know God and His ways through familiarity with the Word of God by reading the bible, meditating on it through the help of the Church’s authoritative teaching, and faithfully living it out.
St. Joseph was a faithful practicing Jew, and when the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” he could be faithfully present to the Word of Life, Jesus Christ which encourages men to be present physically and spiritually to Jesus in Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.
Joseph most just
Joseph most just; justice is guided by morality and for it to be beneficial it must be rooted in the truth established by our creator in the natural law, revealed by the Redeemer in Divine Law, and these are protected through Church law.
St. Joseph knew the law and followed it but also taught it to His son as all fathers are called to do.
In the culture where marriage, sexuality, gender, and rights of individuals are attempting to be redefined, men are called to be just in word and deed.
Joseph most chaste
Joseph most chaste; was not only chaste himself in his relationship with Mary but he so loved her and her vow of virginity that he also protected hers.
His heart and her heart were given to one another with the understanding that they both were God’s first and must always be.
No one can be more perfectly united than in Christ and it is in Him that love is fulfilled.
Men are called to honor, respect, and uphold the true beauty and dignity of women by loving the person and seeking their growth in virtue.
Joseph most prudent
Joseph most prudent; prudence is the virtue that governs all other virtues.
St. Joseph helps men balance their various obligations to God, family, country, and work.
Men prudently need to prioritize the obligations placed upon them and diligently work to fulfill them.
St. Joseph was a model workman due to his ability to exercise prudence.
As a means of helping men integrate these characteristics into their life, I have been slowly walking men through Bishop Thomas Olmstead’s Apostolic Exhortation, “Into the Breach”.
It has been great to read it, teach it, and discuss with young men that are seeking to be holy men.
The men that come strive to take God’s call to holiness seriously, and it is from men like this that the Church hopes to raise up worthy brothers, husbands, fathers, priests, and Religious.
Fr. Gregory Ihm is the vocations director for the Diocese of Madison.