We don’t know a lot about Saint Joseph, except that he was a simple, hardworking, faithful man. He was chosen among many to be the father of Christ on Earth and to be an example to Christians who came after him. His success shows that we really can do all things through God who strengthens us. Because he followed God’s will, he is now considered to be among the greatest saints of the universal Church.

Trust was a very important part of Saint Joseph’s vocation. After the Annunciation, when the angel came to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, Joseph did so without hesitation. The Flight into Egypt is another example of his trust. When his family faced horrible danger, Joseph again listened to the angel and fled Nazareth. This man, childlike in his trust, is a great example to us. The Bible teaches us to “become as little children'' in order to enter the Kingdom of God. St. Joseph teaches us how to trust in God’s plan for ourselves just as a child trusts his or her parents.

Faithfulness is another virtue St. Joseph models for us. St. Joseph was faithful to God throughout his life. St. Joseph displayed this faith through the Annunciation and the Flight into Egypt by trusting in God’s Divine Providence. He remained faithful to his Jewish beliefs and passed it onto Jesus. St. Joseph teaches us how to stay faithful, even during uncertain times.

Obedience was most likely the most important gift of all in Saint Joseph’s life. After the Annunciation, Joseph obeyed the angel sent by God and married Mary. In his obedience, the will of God was fulfilled and Joseph was on his way to becoming a saint. The Flight into Egypt is also an example of obedience. He was told to take his wife and young child and flee into a strange, unknown land where they knew absolutely no one. They had to live in poverty and obscurity until the king died and it was safe to return to Nazareth. Joseph knew all of this, but he chose to obey God, even though he knew it would not be easy. Obedience to God and His Holy Commandments is prominent in our lives, and we all must strive to obey as much as we can, for it pleases God.

St. Joseph has taught us how to live our vocations according to God’s will by trusting, remaining faithful, and being obedient.

St. Joseph, pray for us!