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The Mystery of Joseph
Although the greatest of saints, after Mary, St. Joseph is perhaps the least well understood. What Scripture teaches is compelling, but he moves quietly and thoughtfully through its pages, almost unobserved in his humility and silence.
And yet Pope Paul VI has “If we look carefully into this life that was apparently so unremarkable, we shall find that it was greater and more adventurous, more full of exciting events, than we are accustomed to assume in our hasty perusal of the Gospel.”
In this illuminating book, Fr. Philippe leads you deep into the beautiful mystery of St. Joseph — revealing the greatness of the apparently unremarkable man who was the guardian of Jesus and Mary, and who is now the Guardian of the Church, “overflowing with immeasurable wisdom and power.”
Weaving together the many different strands of the Church’s ever-deepening understanding of St. Joseph, along with his own profound insights, here is a warm and moving portrait of the humble, heroic carpenter of Bethlehem — a great man who became, by God’s grace, a great saint. After reading this book, you will never see St. Joseph (and perhaps yourself) in quite the same way again.
“Wonderful... Profound. Fr. Philippe will teach you much about Saint Joseph and much about your faith. When you’re all finished you will be quite surprised to see how your vision of this great saint may have changed. Even if you’ve been devoted to Saint Joseph for many years, I feel safe in saying that in The Mystery of Joseph you will learn a great deal about Jesus’ Foster Father’s true and undying importance.”
– Fr. Benedict Groeschel, writing in the Foreword
“This is an amazing book on a crucial (but neglected) topic, written by one of the greatest Catholic theologians of recent times. Profound and deep, clear and practical, grounded in Scripture and illumined by the brilliance of St. Thomas Aquinas – I know of no other book like it.”
– Scott Hahn
“In this beautiful book one of the great men of the Church of recent times helps us to contemplate the face of St. Joseph in all its chivalrous nobility.”
– Fr. John Saward, author Cradle of Redeeming Love
“In recent times, St. Joseph seems to have fallen out of favor in the conscious minds of believers. These deep meditations are a wonderful antidote for that. I highly recommend The Mystery of Joseph .”
– Archbishop Myers
“If St Joseph has a role in the Incarnation and its consequences – and he does – then he is an essential figure within our religion. The silence of St. Joseph in the New Testament can lead us to neglect him or see his role as minor. Fr. Philippe’s book brings out the significance of the events of Joseph’s life, and shows us his hidden greatness.”
– Cardinal George Pell
“In these gentle meditations, Fr. Philippe draws out of the Gospels a mystical theology of who St. Joseph is, and what he represents.”
– Aidan Nichols, OP
“I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint. To other saints the Lord seems to have given power to help us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he helps us in them all. I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me make the trial for himself.”
– St. Teresa of Ávila, Autobiography
And yet Pope Paul VI has “If we look carefully into this life that was apparently so unremarkable, we shall find that it was greater and more adventurous, more full of exciting events, than we are accustomed to assume in our hasty perusal of the Gospel.”
In this illuminating book, Fr. Philippe leads you deep into the beautiful mystery of St. Joseph — revealing the greatness of the apparently unremarkable man who was the guardian of Jesus and Mary, and who is now the Guardian of the Church, “overflowing with immeasurable wisdom and power.”
Weaving together the many different strands of the Church’s ever-deepening understanding of St. Joseph, along with his own profound insights, here is a warm and moving portrait of the humble, heroic carpenter of Bethlehem — a great man who became, by God’s grace, a great saint. After reading this book, you will never see St. Joseph (and perhaps yourself) in quite the same way again.
“Wonderful... Profound. Fr. Philippe will teach you much about Saint Joseph and much about your faith. When you’re all finished you will be quite surprised to see how your vision of this great saint may have changed. Even if you’ve been devoted to Saint Joseph for many years, I feel safe in saying that in The Mystery of Joseph you will learn a great deal about Jesus’ Foster Father’s true and undying importance.”
– Fr. Benedict Groeschel, writing in the Foreword
“This is an amazing book on a crucial (but neglected) topic, written by one of the greatest Catholic theologians of recent times. Profound and deep, clear and practical, grounded in Scripture and illumined by the brilliance of St. Thomas Aquinas – I know of no other book like it.”
– Scott Hahn
“In this beautiful book one of the great men of the Church of recent times helps us to contemplate the face of St. Joseph in all its chivalrous nobility.”
– Fr. John Saward, author Cradle of Redeeming Love
“In recent times, St. Joseph seems to have fallen out of favor in the conscious minds of believers. These deep meditations are a wonderful antidote for that. I highly recommend The Mystery of Joseph .”
– Archbishop Myers
“If St Joseph has a role in the Incarnation and its consequences – and he does – then he is an essential figure within our religion. The silence of St. Joseph in the New Testament can lead us to neglect him or see his role as minor. Fr. Philippe’s book brings out the significance of the events of Joseph’s life, and shows us his hidden greatness.”
– Cardinal George Pell
“In these gentle meditations, Fr. Philippe draws out of the Gospels a mystical theology of who St. Joseph is, and what he represents.”
– Aidan Nichols, OP
“I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint. To other saints the Lord seems to have given power to help us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he helps us in them all. I ask for the love of God that he who does not believe me make the trial for himself.”
– St. Teresa of Ávila, Autobiography
191 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2023
Good but a bit repetitive. It’s a work translated from French and I thought the translations seemed a bit obvious. Overall, I’m very glad I read it and it will remain on my shelf to refer back to or loan out.
March 10, 2017
Greay!
Great read. Let us ask St Joseph's intercession in this life. His example is much needed in the world today.
Great read. Let us ask St Joseph's intercession in this life. His example is much needed in the world today.
November 20, 2018
Great
Great reading . Enjoyed the explanations. Helped my understanding of st. Joseph. Book is well written to keep and hold someone's attention.
Great reading . Enjoyed the explanations. Helped my understanding of st. Joseph. Book is well written to keep and hold someone's attention.
April 22, 2016
This book is filled with beautiful insights on the life of St. Joseph. Though it is a book you could read through quickly, it would be much more fruitful to read it sections at a time and pray on what was read. It helped me see St. Joseph in a way that I've never seen him before and as a result I have a greater desire to ask for his intercession in having a heart that loves with a selfless, masculine love.
February 23, 2014
A fantastic book about St. Joseph. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about St. Joseph, Jesus or Mary.
March 24, 2016
Very good book about St. Joseph. A lot of food for thought and meditation.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews