Joseph, the son of Jacob prefigures a type of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Psalm 105:16-22 summarizes the important facts of the life of Joseph, vizier of Egypt. In the first part of the psalm, there is description of a widespread famine; while people everywhere lacked food, God provided for them through the foresight of Joseph (Gen 47:13-27). Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphnath-Paaneah, meaning savior of the world or giver of the nourishment of life. In the Gospels, Jesus Christ is born as an infant who needs to be fed, and just as the people of Egypt sought food from the earlier Joseph, the head minister of Pharaoh’s household, so Jesus goes to Joseph, whom God has set over his own household, to receive the necessities of earthly life.
The description of Joseph bound in fetters and an iron collar is evocative of the bonds of sin. However, it has long been the tradition of the Church that St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, never committed a single actual sin; however, unlike Mary he was not immaculately conceived, and he came into being with the fetters of original sin. Yet, just as the king released Joseph, the son of Israel, from his bonds and set him over his household, so also God released Joseph, the husband of Mary, from his bonds of sin and set him over the Holy Family as its head. And just as through Joseph, the son of Israel, God provided food for the starving people of Egypt and his family, so through Joseph, the husband of Mary, did God the Father provide for the needs of Jesus. Just as St. Joseph watched over and cared for God’s greatest treasures – the Child Jesus and the Virgin Mary—he similarly watches over and cares for the Church for which he was designated her Universal Patron by Blessed Pius IX in 1870. Church tells us to go to St. Joseph in our times of need too.
We can draw much spiritual fruit from considering the first Joseph, the son of Israel, as a type of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Psalm 105 below summarizes nicely the important facts of the ancient Joseph’s life:
When [the Lord] summoned famine against the land,
and broke every staff of bread,
he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
His feet were hurt with fetters,
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the Lord kept testing him.
The king sent and released him;
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house,
and ruler of all his possessions,
to instruct his officials at his pleasure,
and to teach his elders wisdom. (Ps. 105:16-22)
Prayer to Saint Joseph
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
Righteous Joseph the Patriarch
Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome. My beloved father, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.”
Nature and dignity 