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Saint Joseph: The Man Closest to Christ
What is the greatest title of Saint Joseph?
While the Litany of Saint Joseph is filled with many rich titles describing Joseph’s virtues and duties—such as most just, most chaste, patron of the dying, terror of demons, and protector of the Holy Church—there is one title that stands out which is quietly absent from his the man closest to Christ.
Of all the men God has created, no one has been as close to Christ as Saint Joseph. He was the first man to hold God in his arms. He was the only man recorded to save Christ’s life. He was, ultimately, the man chosen from all time to be God’s earthly father.
Just as his Son was prefigured in the Scriptures, Saint Joseph was also long foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Looking at these biblical types opens our eyes to the reality that Saint Joseph has many other titles, such as the provider of the Eucharist and the souls in purgatory.
Even though the year of Saint Joseph has passed, the insights concerning our spiritual father continue to unfold. As the greatest of all the saints after Our Lady, Saint Joseph holds the key to opening the treasuries of Our Lord’s Sacred and Eucharistic Heart. To imitate Christ is the goal of our spiritual lives. And what better way to imitate Christ than to learn from Saint Joseph, the man who spent the most time with Him, the man closest to Christ!
While the Litany of Saint Joseph is filled with many rich titles describing Joseph’s virtues and duties—such as most just, most chaste, patron of the dying, terror of demons, and protector of the Holy Church—there is one title that stands out which is quietly absent from his the man closest to Christ.
Of all the men God has created, no one has been as close to Christ as Saint Joseph. He was the first man to hold God in his arms. He was the only man recorded to save Christ’s life. He was, ultimately, the man chosen from all time to be God’s earthly father.
Just as his Son was prefigured in the Scriptures, Saint Joseph was also long foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Looking at these biblical types opens our eyes to the reality that Saint Joseph has many other titles, such as the provider of the Eucharist and the souls in purgatory.
Even though the year of Saint Joseph has passed, the insights concerning our spiritual father continue to unfold. As the greatest of all the saints after Our Lady, Saint Joseph holds the key to opening the treasuries of Our Lord’s Sacred and Eucharistic Heart. To imitate Christ is the goal of our spiritual lives. And what better way to imitate Christ than to learn from Saint Joseph, the man who spent the most time with Him, the man closest to Christ!
176 pages, Hardcover
Published March 14, 2023
11 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 11, 2026
I am leaving a 1-star review solely based on the ridiculously poorly written and argued chapter on why the author believes that St Joseph was a perpetual virgin. While the author acknowledges that many saints have stated the view that St Joseph was an older, widowed man with children from his previous marriage, he only quotes the saints who hold his viewpoint, chiefly saints Jerome of Bethlehem and Thomas Aquinas. Also, he equates the Protoevangelium of James with the gnostic gospel of Thomas, which is incredibly in poor taste, especially as, it seems, the author’s only issue with it is that it presents St Joseph as being older. Let it be known that the Protoevangelium contains the first written testament towards Mary being a perpetual virgin, not only in her being a consecrated virgin, but also in that the birth of Christ did not destroy her physical virginity. Secondly, this text contains the story of Mary’s entrance into the Temple, whence her aforementioned vow of celibacy was made and began, and which is celebrated in the Church on November 21 (in the Byzantine churches this is one of the 12 Great Feasts). Also, the Protoevangelium is the earliest text to both give us the names of Mary’s parents, Sts Joachim and Ann, in addition to being the earliest telling of their childless marriage, of their being an aged couple, of the conception of Mary (historically celebrated on December 9, prior to the Roman Church changing this in recent times) and the nativity of Mary (celebrated on September 8).
My point with all of this is to highlight how the West’s denigration to the Protoevangelium of James is quite ridiculous, especially as it is only in modern times when the West has even sort of tried to universally present St Joseph as this younger consecrated virgin. Yes, some saints in the West have stated this over the years, yet the presentation of Joseph in even western sacred art has historically been that of an older man.
Also, in this chapter, the author engages in absolutely ridiculous biblical “interpretation”, in trying to use Old Testament typology to argue for St Joseph being a perpetual virgin. He cites the instances of Old Testament men telling their wives that she will be introduced as his sister to the rulers of realms in which they were passing through; and, he then comically extrapolates from this that this bolsters his views regarding St Joseph. Never mind that the Old Testament men who did this did so out of cowardice and a lack of virtue, not because of it.
Also, the author ridiculously argues if Joseph were not a consecrated virgin that it would be sinful for Mary to expect him to not have sex with her, as she was a consecrated virgin herself, because it was his “legal right” to have sex with his wife. Seriously, this is so absolutely bonkers of an interpretation, that I seriously can’t wrap my head around why it has become so en vogue for this to be a hill for modern, western Catholic writers to die on.
Even sadder is that so many Catholic laypeople eat these kinds of books up as if they’re gospel truth.
St Joseph is an amazing saint and a powerful intercessor; but, I am so tired of these books, mostly newer, presenting a version of him that can largely be called Catholic Fan Fiction™ more than anything else, let alone historical.
The issue, I think, largely stems not from their insisting that St Joseph was younger or even that he was a virgin himself; but, they argue this as if it is of theological necessity, essentially presenting it as if it is the definitive teaching of the Church (I have heard some Roman Catholics state that these views of Joseph should be formally promulgated as dogma by the Magisterium of the Church).
My point with all of this is to highlight how the West’s denigration to the Protoevangelium of James is quite ridiculous, especially as it is only in modern times when the West has even sort of tried to universally present St Joseph as this younger consecrated virgin. Yes, some saints in the West have stated this over the years, yet the presentation of Joseph in even western sacred art has historically been that of an older man.
Also, in this chapter, the author engages in absolutely ridiculous biblical “interpretation”, in trying to use Old Testament typology to argue for St Joseph being a perpetual virgin. He cites the instances of Old Testament men telling their wives that she will be introduced as his sister to the rulers of realms in which they were passing through; and, he then comically extrapolates from this that this bolsters his views regarding St Joseph. Never mind that the Old Testament men who did this did so out of cowardice and a lack of virtue, not because of it.
Also, the author ridiculously argues if Joseph were not a consecrated virgin that it would be sinful for Mary to expect him to not have sex with her, as she was a consecrated virgin herself, because it was his “legal right” to have sex with his wife. Seriously, this is so absolutely bonkers of an interpretation, that I seriously can’t wrap my head around why it has become so en vogue for this to be a hill for modern, western Catholic writers to die on.
Even sadder is that so many Catholic laypeople eat these kinds of books up as if they’re gospel truth.
St Joseph is an amazing saint and a powerful intercessor; but, I am so tired of these books, mostly newer, presenting a version of him that can largely be called Catholic Fan Fiction™ more than anything else, let alone historical.
The issue, I think, largely stems not from their insisting that St Joseph was younger or even that he was a virgin himself; but, they argue this as if it is of theological necessity, essentially presenting it as if it is the definitive teaching of the Church (I have heard some Roman Catholics state that these views of Joseph should be formally promulgated as dogma by the Magisterium of the Church).
January 22, 2024
This book has so many things to think about- despite not having any written speech by St. Joseph there are many typological examples of him in the OT, especially regarding Joseph. Some examples made so much sense to me, some seemed at first glance to be a stretch to me but than others not at all and things I had never thought about. After completing this book I want to read more about what the church fathers have said about the role and responsibilities of St. Joseph. And, honestly, I want to read this book again because it is rich in things to ponder!
November 12, 2025
the man worthy of our hearts
Absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend this insight into St Joseph. You cannot help but fall deeply in love with him, along with his beloved Mary!
Absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend this insight into St Joseph. You cannot help but fall deeply in love with him, along with his beloved Mary!
August 1, 2023
St Joseph is indeed one of the greatest men to have ever lived, and we know very little about him. The author does a great job reflecting on, and venerating the virtues of St Joseph and his role in our spiritual life and our salvation.
However, at times the author drifts from spiritual reflection to logic and the logic does not hold up. In spite of this, I enjoyed the book. Having read it, I have a much better understanding and appreciation of St Joseph as well as his character types from the old testament.
However, at times the author drifts from spiritual reflection to logic and the logic does not hold up. In spite of this, I enjoyed the book. Having read it, I have a much better understanding and appreciation of St Joseph as well as his character types from the old testament.
August 18, 2023
Incredibly well-structured typological and theological account of the graces bestowed upon St. Joseph and their relation to us. Fr. Sebastian draws upon the Saints and doctors of the Church to convey the hidden beauty in the vibrant role of St. Joseph in the life of the Church. Very solid read
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews