St. Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God, Pray for Us!

This title of St. Joseph is an interesting selection to be included in the 12 found in the chapel here at St. Joseph’s Retreat and Conference Center. What makes this title of St. Joseph so special involves the person of Mary, Mother of God and Jesus, the Son of God; both of whom are entrusted to St. Joseph’s care. Spouse of the Mother of God, therefore, gives us a glimpse into St. Joseph’s unique vocation.

Mary was a gift of God to Joseph. This is an interesting way of seeing things. This gift is a divine one given to St. Joseph for his own sanctification. This came about because through his espousal to Mary, Joseph was granted the grace of holiness due to his pure heart which was perfectly prepared to share fully in the graces of the Virgin Mary. By their marriage, Joseph’s heart was made worthy to be the ‘father’ of Jesus. Source

The insight of Fr. John Henry Hanson builds on this perception: “The Church condenses the greatness of Saint Joseph into one title, Spouse of the Mother of God, the title of his principle feast on March 19th. If St Joseph is Our Lady’s fitting companion, her match, then more than being good friends or simply being “compatible,” they are one in God, seeking the one thing necessary together—at whatever cost.”

They are companions in surrender to God’s will. Whether their surrender takes them to a Bethlehem stable, to Egypt for an undetermined length of time, or on a three-day search for their lost Child, they are prepared to do anything, go anywhere, as soon as the Lord makes His will known—even when He conveys it quietly by withdrawing from them in the temple. Source.

This understanding of being the Spouse of the Mother of God shows us that St. Joseph was also prepared for this role by receiving Mary as a gift from God. By growing in holiness through this relationship with her, St. Joseph is able to surrender to the will of God and carry out his vocation as spouse of the Mother of God and protector of the Holy Family.

The Sisters of St. Joseph, knowing the protection that St. Joseph provides to the Holy Family, entrusted themselves to his care and protection. Through his example of surrendering to the will of God along with Mary, the sisters have confidence in his powerful intercession and Mary’s as well. They taught them how to surrender to the will of God and trust in God’s care.

The Dream of St. Joseph image
To be the spouse of the Mother of God did not come about without its own set of trials for St. Joseph. It took the message of an angel to help the process along for a man who was having a time of it with what he should do about Mary and her being with a child that was not his own. Yet, after this, St. Joseph embraces his vocation as spouse by surrendering to the will of God and guards and protects Jesus and Mary.

The painting The Dream of St. Joseph (c. 1773/1774) by Anton Raphael Mengs, German (1728-1779) is located on the third floor of the retreat center. It is a part of a Prayer Walk through Salvation History that serves as a great option for guests when weather doesn’t allow outdoor visits to campus shrines and statues.  

Guests should start outside room 361 with The Garden of Eden (1828) by American Thomas Cole, and follow the main hall to room 318 then return to room 320 to continue around the courtyard and finish at room 357 with The Last Judgement (1853) by Englishman John Martin. Each of the 35 classic paintings depict an event in salvation history and features scripture the painting invokes. To see a slideshow of the artwork with scripture, follow this link https://www.stjosephretreat.org/the-third-floor