This month we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19), but that’s not the only reason St. Joseph is on our minds. A few months ago, Pope Francis released a beautiful apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph titled Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), recalling the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021.
There’s never been a better time to grow closer to St. Joseph, and that’s what Brandon and Fr. Blake help you do through this episode.
Books + Resources
- Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father by Donald Calloway
- Consecration to Jesus through St. Joseph: An Integrated Look At the Holy Family by Dr. Gregory Bottaro and Jennifer Settle
- Patris Corde by Pope Francis (apostolic letter, 12/8/20)
- Redemptoris Custos by Pope St. John Paul II (apostolic exhortation, 8/15/89)
- Mentioned in Introduction
- Reclaiming Vatican II: What It (Really) Said, What It Means, and How It Calls Us to Renew the Church by Fr. Blake Britton (coming in Fall 2021!)
- Tolkien’s Modern Reading: Middle-earth Beyond the Middle Ages by Holly Ordway
- Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church by Brandon Vogt
- What To Say What to Say and How to Say It, Vol II: More Ways to Discuss Your Catholic Faith with Clarity and Confidence by Brandon Vogt
Thanks Brandon and Fr. Blake for another wonderful podcast. I am especially grateful for Fr. Blake’s explanation of consecration towards the end of this one. Can’t wait for your new book on Vatican II. Please let us know when it is available. God Bless you both! Wishing you and your families a beautiful Easter!🙏
I’m from the Philippines, how can I get your books?
Brandon and Father Blake:
I just wanted to mention that I have read (I don’t remember the source) that though we think of Joseph as rather poor because he was a simple carpenter, in fact, carpenters in 1st Centtury Palestine were more like today’s home builders. They not only made furniture and repairs to homes but often built an entire house or major portions thereof for people. If we were to look for workers at the bottom of the pecking order at that time, we should probably be talking about shepherds. Apparently, they often lived in the hills surrounding towns, sleeping outdoors and guarding their sheep and supposedly not bathing often. It is interesting that Jesus used the image of a shepherd fairly often in the gospels.
Another thought: I have always liked the irony found in some lines of the movie “Ben-Hur.” A customer comes to Joseph and asks when his furniture will be finished and he is told soon. Then the customers looks outward from the “shop” and sees Jesus talking/preaching to a group of people, and asks why Joseph doesn’t ask his son to help, since he is not working. Joseph then says something like “Oh, he is working alright. He is working (doing his Father’s work/will”? I don’t remember the exact dialogue.
I so can’t wait for Fr.Britton’s book. I pray that this will help me understand and come to peace with Vatican 2.I love y’all’s podcast!
Wonderful, informative and inspiring!! Thank you!
Fr. Blake,
Would you please give me a particular book to jump into B16?Besides the Jesus of Nazareth series (read them- except the Nativity)What I’m looking for is sort of an introduction to his theology or his mind so to speak.Maybe nothing to deep right off.Love your enthusiasm!
Can you put up some encyclicals by Popes before Vatican II on St. Joseph.
Fr. Blake,
We are interested in doing a Consecration to St. Joseph, and the description of Bottaro book you offered makes it sound perfect to do with our teenagers. However, there is a review on Amazon that specifically says, quite emphatically, that it is not family-friendly. Would you say that it is appropriate for high school aged children? We planned on using the Calloway book with our younger children, so if it’s not we could just use that for everyone.
Thank you!