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St. Joseph and His World
A TREMENDOUS BREAKTHROUGH” in the study of St. Joseph...
...There are few subjects so challenging” to authors as St. Joseph. So says scholar Scott Hahn in his foreword to this book. Yet the pages that follow give not merely glimpses, but vistas, of St. Joseph’s world. Hahn “You’ll learn about Nazareth — and how it was created almost ex nihilo shortly before Joseph’s birth. You’ll learn about religious practice and education in that place and time. You’ll travel to Egypt and encounter the fascinating settlements of Jews in that land. You’ll also find out how a carpenter worked in those what tools he used, what items he crafted, where he got his training, and how he got to and from his job sites.” This book provides an imaginative entry into one of the most important lives in all of history — a life too often obscured by later legends. "
...There are few subjects so challenging” to authors as St. Joseph. So says scholar Scott Hahn in his foreword to this book. Yet the pages that follow give not merely glimpses, but vistas, of St. Joseph’s world. Hahn “You’ll learn about Nazareth — and how it was created almost ex nihilo shortly before Joseph’s birth. You’ll learn about religious practice and education in that place and time. You’ll travel to Egypt and encounter the fascinating settlements of Jews in that land. You’ll also find out how a carpenter worked in those what tools he used, what items he crafted, where he got his training, and how he got to and from his job sites.” This book provides an imaginative entry into one of the most important lives in all of history — a life too often obscured by later legends. "
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2020
84 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Mike Aquilina
126 books113 followersMike Aquilina is author or editor of more than thirty books, including The Fathers of the Church, The Mass of the Early Christians, and A Year with the Church Fathers. He has co-hosted eight series that air on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He has co-authored books with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and theologian Scott Hahn. He is past editor of New Covenant magazine and The Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper. He appears weekly on Sirius Radio's "Sonrise Morning Show." Mike and his wife, Terri, have six children, who are the subject of his book Love in the Little Things.
In 2011 Mike was a featured presenter of the U.S. Bishops' Diocesan Educational/Catechetical Leadership Institute. He also wrote the USCCB's theological reflection for Catechetical Sunday in 2011.
His reviews, essays and journalism have appeared in many journals, including First Things, Touchstone, Crisis, Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, and Catholic Heritage. He contributed work on early Christianity to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought.
Mike is a also poet whose works have appeared in U.S. literary journals and have been translated into Polish and Spanish. He shared songwriting credits with Grammy Award-winner Dion DiMucci on the forthcoming album "Tank Full of Blues."
In 2011 Mike was a featured presenter of the U.S. Bishops' Diocesan Educational/Catechetical Leadership Institute. He also wrote the USCCB's theological reflection for Catechetical Sunday in 2011.
His reviews, essays and journalism have appeared in many journals, including First Things, Touchstone, Crisis, Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, and Catholic Heritage. He contributed work on early Christianity to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought.
Mike is a also poet whose works have appeared in U.S. literary journals and have been translated into Polish and Spanish. He shared songwriting credits with Grammy Award-winner Dion DiMucci on the forthcoming album "Tank Full of Blues."
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 22, 2021
This short book (about 120 pages) gives a history and some theology about Saint Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus Christ. Source material about Joseph is very sparse, little more than a few chapters in the gospel accounts of Jesus's birth and childhood, and a reference or two later in Jesus's ministry ("Can this guy be the carpenter's son?!?"). Aquilina fills in some gaps in a few different ways.
First, Aquilina looks at the salvation history leading up to the time of Jesus. The Jews had an expectation of a savior coming from the line of David. Since David lived a thousand years before, he has a lot of descendants. The Jewish faith was centered around the Promised Land and the Temple of Jerusalem, the only place where sacrifices are made, the very heart of Judaism. Synagogues are places of teaching and fellowship, the lifeblood of the religious community. By the first century B.C., Israel was the homeland again and the Romans were more tolerant (for a time) towards their religious practices than other empires had been. Jerusalem grew architecturally and economically during the reign of Herod the Great, one of the most troubled leaders in history.
Joseph lived in a small town and probably knew Mary growing up. Aquilina discusses the life of small towns and how Joseph's trade as a carpenter was in high demand with all of the civic projects Herod initiated. They lived close enough to Jerusalem and other cities that work would be plentiful. Joseph would have knowledge of the larger world and probably knew Greek, at least well enough to do business. He also knew his faith and lived a just and upright life. He'd make the three pilgrimages each year to Jerusalem that all Jewish men were required to do. He'd make the proper offerings and was familiar with the Passover supper. He shared that faith and devotion with his soon-to-be wife.
Then the hard times happened. Mary was with child before they came together in the fullness of marriage. Joseph listened attentively when angels gave him guidance and reassurance. His obedience was prompt and his prudence enabled him to make good choices, as when they returned from Egypt and he had to decide under which of Herod's children his family would live. Joseph used his faith as a resource and a guide in the hardships of life.
Aquilina also looks at the traditions that have grown up around Saint Joseph, both good and bad. Early in the church's history, the emphasis on Mary's virginity led to assumptions and depictions of Joseph as an old man who probably couldn't have children anyway. In some Nativity paintings, he's off in a corner looking grouchy because he isn't really involved in the birth of the savior. Nothing could be further from the truth. Attitudes changed later on, especially in the second millennium of the church. Many saints, including Thomas Aquinas and Teresa of Avila, praised his virtue and plumbed the depths of gospel references to understand him better. Joseph was a father to Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity. He taught Him how to celebrate the Passover meal and took Him to Jerusalem to fulfill the law given to Moses. Jesus made Himself obedient to Joseph. Joseph is not just an image of a father, he was the image of the Father to the Son. Surely he is worthy of study and veneration.
The book is well worth reading. I happen to have read it at the end of the Year of Saint Joseph (2020-2021) and just before the beginning of Advent. The book serves both quite well. I am sure to put it on my short list of Christmas-prep reading for Advent (along with Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives and Fr. Dwight Longenecker's The Mystery of the Magi, among others).
Highly recommended, even if it isn't Advent or the Year of Saint Joseph!
First, Aquilina looks at the salvation history leading up to the time of Jesus. The Jews had an expectation of a savior coming from the line of David. Since David lived a thousand years before, he has a lot of descendants. The Jewish faith was centered around the Promised Land and the Temple of Jerusalem, the only place where sacrifices are made, the very heart of Judaism. Synagogues are places of teaching and fellowship, the lifeblood of the religious community. By the first century B.C., Israel was the homeland again and the Romans were more tolerant (for a time) towards their religious practices than other empires had been. Jerusalem grew architecturally and economically during the reign of Herod the Great, one of the most troubled leaders in history.
Joseph lived in a small town and probably knew Mary growing up. Aquilina discusses the life of small towns and how Joseph's trade as a carpenter was in high demand with all of the civic projects Herod initiated. They lived close enough to Jerusalem and other cities that work would be plentiful. Joseph would have knowledge of the larger world and probably knew Greek, at least well enough to do business. He also knew his faith and lived a just and upright life. He'd make the three pilgrimages each year to Jerusalem that all Jewish men were required to do. He'd make the proper offerings and was familiar with the Passover supper. He shared that faith and devotion with his soon-to-be wife.
Then the hard times happened. Mary was with child before they came together in the fullness of marriage. Joseph listened attentively when angels gave him guidance and reassurance. His obedience was prompt and his prudence enabled him to make good choices, as when they returned from Egypt and he had to decide under which of Herod's children his family would live. Joseph used his faith as a resource and a guide in the hardships of life.
Aquilina also looks at the traditions that have grown up around Saint Joseph, both good and bad. Early in the church's history, the emphasis on Mary's virginity led to assumptions and depictions of Joseph as an old man who probably couldn't have children anyway. In some Nativity paintings, he's off in a corner looking grouchy because he isn't really involved in the birth of the savior. Nothing could be further from the truth. Attitudes changed later on, especially in the second millennium of the church. Many saints, including Thomas Aquinas and Teresa of Avila, praised his virtue and plumbed the depths of gospel references to understand him better. Joseph was a father to Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity. He taught Him how to celebrate the Passover meal and took Him to Jerusalem to fulfill the law given to Moses. Jesus made Himself obedient to Joseph. Joseph is not just an image of a father, he was the image of the Father to the Son. Surely he is worthy of study and veneration.
The book is well worth reading. I happen to have read it at the end of the Year of Saint Joseph (2020-2021) and just before the beginning of Advent. The book serves both quite well. I am sure to put it on my short list of Christmas-prep reading for Advent (along with Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives and Fr. Dwight Longenecker's The Mystery of the Magi, among others).
Highly recommended, even if it isn't Advent or the Year of Saint Joseph!
July 1, 2021
A realistic fact based look into the world of St. Joseph; the town of Nazareth, the flight into Egypt, angelic visits, his work, and how all of these impacted how he related to and raised the Son of Man.
December 27, 2020
Illuminating study of Saint Joseph. A must-read for the Catholic.
I read this book to inaugurate my year of building a devotion to the Holy Family. It happened to be published just as Pope Francis named the coming liturgical year 2021 as the Year of Saint Joseph.
Professor Aquilina writes in a style that demonstrates his scholarship on the topic yet is easily readable for the non-academic lay person. He has effectively and plausibly filled in the years of Joseph’s life by applying what is known of family heritage, practices, beliefs, society and politics of the times.
This result is eye and mind opening about the relationship between Joseph and Jesus. It provides a good deal of opportunity for personal study and reflection. I recommend reading the book through in its entirety, then go back and use it for close study and meditation. The text includes scripture references, catechism notes, and footnotes to all the cited sources.
I use the Kindle edition, works perfectly for me.
I read this book to inaugurate my year of building a devotion to the Holy Family. It happened to be published just as Pope Francis named the coming liturgical year 2021 as the Year of Saint Joseph.
Professor Aquilina writes in a style that demonstrates his scholarship on the topic yet is easily readable for the non-academic lay person. He has effectively and plausibly filled in the years of Joseph’s life by applying what is known of family heritage, practices, beliefs, society and politics of the times.
This result is eye and mind opening about the relationship between Joseph and Jesus. It provides a good deal of opportunity for personal study and reflection. I recommend reading the book through in its entirety, then go back and use it for close study and meditation. The text includes scripture references, catechism notes, and footnotes to all the cited sources.
I use the Kindle edition, works perfectly for me.
April 17, 2023
Professor Aqualina helps us to explore the relationship between God in the Person of Jesus and his foster father, St. Joseph. It was great to read after having completed the consecration to St. Joseph during the year Pope Francis dedicated to the human father of Jesus. St. Joseph is a role model for all men: humble, hard working, quiet and reserved but also a man of action who is willing to listen to the Spirit and do what he is being asked. I recommend this book highly.
April 21, 2021
Nice historical outlook on the time, culture and religious practices during the life of St. Joseph. The Bible tells us very little of St. Joseph, but we do know he was Jesus earthly father and the spouse of Mary. The author draws from that fact and historical knowledge for this book. Easy, pleasant book.
September 13, 2021
This is the Year Of ST. Joseph so we decided to read this for our summer bible study group. It is very well researched into the details of that time.... how many people live in a village, town or city., how the famiies lived and how HEROD lived at the same time compared to the life of a carpenter. It was amazing to gather all this information on a man that is never quoted in the bible
March 9, 2022
Profound insight
This book provided excellent education on Jewish history and the prophecies… and Joseph’s role/work in faithfully fulfilling them. I learned so much about life in Nazareth, the ‘just man’, and the virtue of prudence, lived by St Joseph, a virtue that is a prerequisite for the other three cardinal virtues.
Truly enjoyed this well referenced and written book
This book provided excellent education on Jewish history and the prophecies… and Joseph’s role/work in faithfully fulfilling them. I learned so much about life in Nazareth, the ‘just man’, and the virtue of prudence, lived by St Joseph, a virtue that is a prerequisite for the other three cardinal virtues.
Truly enjoyed this well referenced and written book
March 13, 2022
A quick, enjoyable read about the world into which Christ was born. Aquilina is always a very accessible author, and in this case he provides some very interesting material about Nazareth, Judea, Egypt, and Herod. He always leaves me wanting a little more depth, which is the reason I gave it 4 stars.
June 18, 2022
A great way to learn about Saint Joseph
By paralleling Joseph with Herod and drawing an understanding from the lifestyle of Jewish men in the time just before Christ, we can gain an understanding of the earthly father of Christ to whom angels spoke. It is amazing to learn when there is so little known about Joseph the carpenter.
By paralleling Joseph with Herod and drawing an understanding from the lifestyle of Jewish men in the time just before Christ, we can gain an understanding of the earthly father of Christ to whom angels spoke. It is amazing to learn when there is so little known about Joseph the carpenter.
July 12, 2025
Historically educational
I learned so much! It is impossible to properly understand events of salvation history without the historical context provided here. The ancient world Joseph lived in is so vastly different from my own experience as a modern American. I'm thankful for this book and sill pray for the author and book to be used for the honor and glory of God.
I learned so much! It is impossible to properly understand events of salvation history without the historical context provided here. The ancient world Joseph lived in is so vastly different from my own experience as a modern American. I'm thankful for this book and sill pray for the author and book to be used for the honor and glory of God.
January 24, 2021
Thank you for this book
I have wanted for many years to know St Joseph better. This book is inspiring and thought-provoking. The historical context is helpful in giving depth to the portrait of this best of all fathers.
I have wanted for many years to know St Joseph better. This book is inspiring and thought-provoking. The historical context is helpful in giving depth to the portrait of this best of all fathers.
June 26, 2021
This was great. Simple, but full of information and reflection. Not a bunch of spinning wheels or speculation. Aquilina uses historical information to place Joseph in reality and guide our knowledge of him.
July 1, 2021
This book gave a glimpse into what the world was like during St. Joseph's lifetime. Great visualization & excellent descriptive writing. You can imagine yourself in that time & can imagine what St. Joseph went through. It also gave fantastic background leading up to St. Joseph's time.
July 11, 2021
A small book packed with many insights into how to better know and understand St. Joseph and the world he lived in. I especially enjoyed learning more about how St. Joseph and the many ways he would have influenced Jesus' childhood.
October 16, 2021
A different book on Joseph
Looking at Joseph from the point of view of his times distinguishes this book from others on Joseph. The history of Davidic descendents in Babylon and the founding of Nazareth was enlightening. I very much recommend this book.
Looking at Joseph from the point of view of his times distinguishes this book from others on Joseph. The history of Davidic descendents in Babylon and the founding of Nazareth was enlightening. I very much recommend this book.
May 4, 2022
An excellent read about the life of St. Joseph and the Holy Family told from the perspective of living under the rule of Herod. I learned as much about the life and times of the people as I did of the Holy Family.
November 18, 2024
Great Introduction to Everything Joseph
This book really helped me understand what the Church knows about Joseph and how it has responded to him over the centuries. A great read for anyone wanting to start a devotion to St. Joseph.
This book really helped me understand what the Church knows about Joseph and how it has responded to him over the centuries. A great read for anyone wanting to start a devotion to St. Joseph.
February 6, 2021
A fascinating look at the historical setting of the life of the Holy Family. My only criticism is that it is too short!
February 11, 2021
Read it for the year of St Joseph. Many interesting historical facts, while providing material for prayer as well!
June 9, 2021
Really good info about the world at the time of Jesus’ birth.
July 13, 2021
Wow! Amazing look at Joseph and the powerful role he played! Highly recommend. Super quick read, too.
July 16, 2021
Excellent!
January 15, 2022
Good
I thought this was a good short book on St Joseph. I found the passages on Herod very illuminating. Good brief on St Joseph and his world.
I thought this was a good short book on St Joseph. I found the passages on Herod very illuminating. Good brief on St Joseph and his world.
February 16, 2023
Quick read. But an interesting look at the life of St Joseph through the lens of the life of Herod.
June 13, 2025
Josefología: 10/10
Cristología: 8/10
Cristología: 8/10
March 16, 2021
What more can be said about St. Joseph? I was skeptical that much more of significance could, as I have read much on Mary's spouse. But, when I came across this book, and saw the author, I knew that if anyone could provide new light on Joseph of Nazareth, it was this prolific writer.
And I was right. This book is a real page turner (I polished off this modestly sized work in a morning). Mike's gift is to make history interesting while the reader ends up learning much more than he would have anticipated coming in. For example, contrasting Joseph and Herod provided me background on both men that I never knew. Also, the first chapter is a masterful overview of salvation history up to the time of Christ -- I believe it will lead readers back to the historical books of Scripture to learn the details. Other chapters focus on Joseph's friendship with angels, his work as a carpenter, how Joseph really felt when he learned of Mary's pregnancy, a final reflection on how Joseph is the exemplar of prudence, and much more.
There is no better review of this book than Scott Hahn's Foreword to the book (just check out the Look Inside feature on Amazon).
Highly recommended during this year of St. Joseph to grow even closer to this great man and intercessor. As with Aquilina's other historical works, this book makes history interesting so consider it for the relative or friend who believes reading such works is dull.
And I was right. This book is a real page turner (I polished off this modestly sized work in a morning). Mike's gift is to make history interesting while the reader ends up learning much more than he would have anticipated coming in. For example, contrasting Joseph and Herod provided me background on both men that I never knew. Also, the first chapter is a masterful overview of salvation history up to the time of Christ -- I believe it will lead readers back to the historical books of Scripture to learn the details. Other chapters focus on Joseph's friendship with angels, his work as a carpenter, how Joseph really felt when he learned of Mary's pregnancy, a final reflection on how Joseph is the exemplar of prudence, and much more.
There is no better review of this book than Scott Hahn's Foreword to the book (just check out the Look Inside feature on Amazon).
Highly recommended during this year of St. Joseph to grow even closer to this great man and intercessor. As with Aquilina's other historical works, this book makes history interesting so consider it for the relative or friend who believes reading such works is dull.
March 10, 2021
Some 5 star moments but a lot of this could have been better supported and developed. Although there are citations, there are also some things stated definitively although they are opinions and there are sometimes lengthy opposing traditions and theologies that are dismissed this way. Some interesting ideas could have used more bolstering and elaboration rather than being introduced and then left behind as the author ignores the inevitable questions that arise for the reader.
January 25, 2023
I LOVED this book. I did not know what to expect, initially, since it is a small book, however it is packed with good and interesting stuff about Good Ol' Joe!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews