In his encyclical Quamquam Pluries, Pope Leo XIII included a magnificent prayer to St. Joseph. It requests Joseph’s intercession for the faithful while recognizing his role as father, guardian, and defender of the Church. This unique function in the Church was bestowed upon Joseph with regards to his outstanding virtue and conformity to God’s Will. For years, Joseph unconditionally obeyed and loved God. He had a special relationship to each member of the Holy Trinity simply because of his unique position as “spouse of Mary” and “reputed Father of Jesus Christ.” Due to this, the members of the Church can draw from his “dignity, his holiness, his glory,” and consequently his patronage, to reach eternal salvation (Quamquam Pluries 3). Thus, it is fitting that St. Joseph is the patron of the universal Church. From his relationship to the Holy Trinity he has received the powers of father, guardian, and defender.

St. Joseph reflects the role of God the Father. His paternal authority over the Church is derived from his fatherhood on earth. First off, the word “patron” comes from the Latin word “pater,” meaning “father” (Consecration to St. Joseph 97). This is suiting, since God the Father implanted in Joseph His “paternal light” to shelter Christ, the Light of the World (31-32). Hence, not only is Joseph the father of Christ, but he is also the father of the Church, Christ’s Mystical Body. On earth, Joseph performed the necessary duties of a father by raising the Child Jesus, teaching Him, and nurturing Him. Today he acts as father and protector the Church’s members, interceding for them and guiding them to heaven. They pray that Joseph will “look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by His blood” (Prayer of Pope Leo XIII).

Through his earthly fatherhood, St. Joseph was placed “as close as possible to Christ,” the second person of the Trinity (Redemptoris Custos 7). Further, Pope Leo’s prayer highlights Joseph as guardian of the Holy Family. Thus, as a father, he guards and nurtures. By protecting Jesus and preparing Him for His ministry and Redemption of mankind, Joseph became involved in the Church’s plan of Redemption. Joseph “proclaims [Christ’s] mission as Savior” by asserting guardianship over Him. In doing this, he shares in His role in the Church (12). Further, Joseph helps to continue the Church’s mission of salvation for its members. Joseph was the keeper of Jesus, the Bread from Heaven, during his earthly life. Hence, he now guards the hearts of the faithful, who have been nourished by the Heavenly Bread. In this way, Joseph watches over the family of Christians, nurturing them in grace and preparing them for heaven. (Consecration to St. Joseph 109-110).

The next part of Pope Leo’s prayer asks Joseph to defend the Church against error and corruption. Because of his relationship to the Holy Spirit, St. Joseph can deflect Satan’s attacks. On earth, Joseph was unconditionally docile to the Holy Spirit, cooperating with His grace in all matters. Even while he was sleeping, Joseph heeded God’s instructions to become Mary’s spouse (Consecration to St. Joseph 21). St. Joseph was endowed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in accordance with his vocation. As father of the Messiah and husband of Mary, he received many graces to live out his life for God. Lastly, just as he rescued “the Child Jesus from the peril of His life,” and fled from Egypt, Joseph can now “defend God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy” and win the battle against the “powers of darkness” (Prayer of Pope Leo XIII). Joseph is the Terror of Demons, who fear his obedience to the Holy Spirit. Consequently, Joseph’s intercession is boundlessly powerful. Now living in total communion with God, he helps distribute grace to the faithful.

St. Joseph’s patronage over the Church is suiting due to his relationship to the Holy Trinity. His position as spouse of Mary and father of Jesus reflects the Divine authority of God. Today, Joseph shields and nurtures the Church through his example on earth and his intercession in heaven. St. Joseph accepted holiness when he assumed his God-given role. On the same note, the conclusion of Pope Leo XIII’s prayer speaks of how holiness can be easily reached through Joseph and his paternal intercession. By trusting in his patronage over the Holy Church, souls may “live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in Heaven” (Prayer of Pope Leo XIII).

Bibliography

Calloway, Donald H., MIC. Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father. 2020. Stockbridge: Marian Press. Print.

Francis. “Patris Corde”. The Holy See. 2020. Web. Viewed 11/23/2021. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html

John Paul II. “Redemptoris Custos”. The Holy See. 1989. Web. Viewed 11/23/2021. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_15081989_redemptoris-custos.html

Leo XIII. “Quamquam Pluries”. The Holy See. 1889. Web. Viewed 11/23/2021. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15081889_quamquam-pluries.html