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Through the Heart of St. Joseph
Though he speaks no words in Scripture, St. Joseph's message to us is he wants to lead us to Jesus. In Through the Heart of St. Joseph , Fr. Boniface Hicks reveals the path St. Joseph has laid. Discover how St. Joseph's vulnerability, littleness, silence, and hiddenness can transform and heal us. Fr. Hicks also looks to the saints who lived the "Joseph Option" to show how we too can embrace a life of humble trust and steadfast courage. Through the Heart of St. Joseph proves with quiet conviction that if we entrust ourselves to the foster father of Our Lord, he will give us his love and protection―just as he gave it to Jesus.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2021
56 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 27, 2025
Although not written for the season, this was an amazing Advent read. It really helped me enter into the littleness of Christ. Simple writing and concepts, but something about it just pierced my heart! I love St. Joseph!
September 22, 2025
This book is nothing short of fantastic and I can’t recommend it enough for all Christians, most especially those with a devotion to St. Joseph. This is accessible and enriching devotional on the life and virtues of St. Joseph is the best book I have read on this great Saint and spiritual father. Unlike other books on St. Joseph I have read, which tended to focus on niche historical facts about devotion to St. Joseph or trivial theological musings on his life, this book cuts to the heart of the reader, leading them into deeper prayer to foster a relationship with the heart of St. Joseph. Fr. Boniface Hicks brings tremendous wisdom and many insights into the life of St. Joseph, focusing on his virtues of silence, obedience, humility, and littleness. Fr. Hicks paints a beautiful portrait of a man with a heart fashioned after God the Father’s, tasked with the enormous responsibility of raising and fathering Jesus’ humanity. The book strikes a great balance of prayerful and contemplative, while also including practical suggestions for the reader to model their life after St. Joseph, regardless of their state in life. As a Benedictine monk, Fr. Hicks also draws on the wisdom of St. Benedict, which adds a unique perspective to the life of St. Joseph and, due to their many shared attributes, I felt the pairing of the two complimented one another very nicely. And most importantly, as any devotion to a Saint ought to do, the focus is always brought back to our Lord, with St. Joseph fostering a home in Nazareth for the reader to encounter Jesus present with St. Joseph and the Holy Family. I can’t recommend this book enough and it is my hope that this book grows in popularity as the need for authentic examples of fatherhood grows in our society and greater interest grows for St. Joseph in the life of the Church. St. Joseph…pray for us!
April 28, 2021
Fr. Boniface has given us a beautiful book on St. Joseph. This book is a must read for those who wish to see St. Joseph as a spiritual father.
September 29, 2025
Fr Boniface is one of those people that I expect will be canonized one day
I love St Joseph and this book helped provide me with a framework for engaging with him in imaginative prayer while also showing me how St Joseph wants to intercede in my life on a practical note.
I love St Joseph and this book helped provide me with a framework for engaging with him in imaginative prayer while also showing me how St Joseph wants to intercede in my life on a practical note.
August 22, 2022
this was beautiful; like taking the pulse of that great, humble, stalwart saint's heart. RECOMMEND.
May 19, 2023
Powerful
September 30, 2023
St. Joseph, the earthly step-father of Jesus, and the loving spouse of the Virgin Mary, is a man about whom little has been written until fairly recently.
St. Joseph is the patron of workers, the scourge of demons, the patron of fathers, and perhaps the original epitome of the tall, dark and handsome, strong and silent type. After all, how many saints do we have from whom we have no recorded words?
The rather recent interest in this special man is refreshing and encouraging in a time when manhood itself is under attack by the modern world. St. Joseph did not leave us his words, because he left us his actions. St. Joseph did not need to give sermons when he lived one instead. He was always open to the Voice of God, and he was always obedient to that Voice.
Like the rest of us, he had his moments of doubt or lack of clarity. He almost refused to marry the Blessed Mother because of her divine pregnancy. He went through with the marriage, however, simply because God told him to. He did not hesitate when he was told to go to Egypt, nor when he was told to return to Nazareth.
Joseph had the natural concerns of an earthly father, and worried when Jesus went missing after their visit to Jerusalem. He worked to raise Jesus and to teach Him. He provided for Mary and Jesus and tirelessly worked to care for all of their daily needs. He did not complain, nor whine with the trials he faced when dealing with the many, daily vicissitudes of life. Instead, he persevered.
Joseph was a man who loved God, and whom God loved. He was faithful in the practice of his faith. The learning Jesus demonstrated throughout His ministry was because His earthly father was always faithful in his obligations as a husband father. Joseph ensured that Jesus was properly raised in the faith of His earthly forefathers.
This book is easy reading, and highly profitable to the soul and the spirit and to our knowledge. We should all strive to know more about Joseph and to emulate his strong character. We all need to demonstrate true faith as Joseph did, by listening to God, being open to hearing His call and His Word, and then answering that call and following that Word. This book is a great place to start.
St. Joseph is the patron of workers, the scourge of demons, the patron of fathers, and perhaps the original epitome of the tall, dark and handsome, strong and silent type. After all, how many saints do we have from whom we have no recorded words?
The rather recent interest in this special man is refreshing and encouraging in a time when manhood itself is under attack by the modern world. St. Joseph did not leave us his words, because he left us his actions. St. Joseph did not need to give sermons when he lived one instead. He was always open to the Voice of God, and he was always obedient to that Voice.
Like the rest of us, he had his moments of doubt or lack of clarity. He almost refused to marry the Blessed Mother because of her divine pregnancy. He went through with the marriage, however, simply because God told him to. He did not hesitate when he was told to go to Egypt, nor when he was told to return to Nazareth.
Joseph had the natural concerns of an earthly father, and worried when Jesus went missing after their visit to Jerusalem. He worked to raise Jesus and to teach Him. He provided for Mary and Jesus and tirelessly worked to care for all of their daily needs. He did not complain, nor whine with the trials he faced when dealing with the many, daily vicissitudes of life. Instead, he persevered.
Joseph was a man who loved God, and whom God loved. He was faithful in the practice of his faith. The learning Jesus demonstrated throughout His ministry was because His earthly father was always faithful in his obligations as a husband father. Joseph ensured that Jesus was properly raised in the faith of His earthly forefathers.
This book is easy reading, and highly profitable to the soul and the spirit and to our knowledge. We should all strive to know more about Joseph and to emulate his strong character. We all need to demonstrate true faith as Joseph did, by listening to God, being open to hearing His call and His Word, and then answering that call and following that Word. This book is a great place to start.
August 24, 2022
-Better than Fr. Calloway's
-Leads into prayer versus "here are some cool things"
-Best St. Joseph work I've read
-Leads into prayer versus "here are some cool things"
-Best St. Joseph work I've read
May 14, 2024
This book has helped me grow even closer to the heart of St Joseph. Fr. Hicks does a wonderful job of drawing on the writings of theologians old and new to craft a thoughtful and inspiring picture of St. Joseph's heart.
April 25, 2025
Reminded me of the Reed of God, but for beautiful musings and theological insights about St. Joseph. This book will stick with me for a very long time. A fantastic Lenten companion and lots to ponder and pray on.
March 3, 2023
Absolutely beautiful. A book to return to for much spiritual nourishment. I highly recommend this. Saint Joseph, pray for us.
March 22, 2023
The Hiddenness chapter is brilliant!!
January 22, 2024
Inspiring!
March 31, 2025
Really enjoyed this book!
January 15, 2024
I am loving this book. I believe we know so little about St. Joseph that is has been expanded the way I see Joseph . I want to invite him to teach me how to have a relationship with Jesus. It’s a must read book for all Christians.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews