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Joseph of Nazareth
Saint Joseph passes through the Gospel without our hearing him utter as much as a single word. But God had selected him for a special to look after two of the greatest treasures who have ever been on earth - Jesus and Mary. The figure of Joseph is also an incentive God has given us to stir up hope in the ordinary person. Joseph of Nazareth is a series of reflections on the life of Saint Joseph in the light of faith and based on revelation. At the end, the reader's love for and devotion to this great saint will have grown considerably. For Joseph, the last of the patriarchs, shows how any one of us can come to be a great saint.
205 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 23, 2016
Over the past 10 years of so I have read numerous books from Scepter Publishers. With each book that I read I find that my faith is challenged, that my attitudes and actions are challenged. And even though many of the books from Scepter are in translation I find that I appreciate them greatly. This was the fifth book by Federico Saurez that I have read. I find that the writing really speaks to me. As a husband and a father I cannot but help to look to Saint Joseph as an example. And Federico presents a very realistic portrait of the man, the husband, the father, in such a way that as men we will be challenged to raise our game. And for women a picture of true manhood.
In the forward Suarez states "It is not easy to write reliably on Saint Joseph, the last of the patriarchs, the craftsman of Nazareth, and the spouse of our Lady. Every historian knows that, without sources, history is impossible. One cannot attain it through simple conjecture. Once a few facts are available, it is possible to go a little further and trace a sketch, enriched with the help of an appropriate setting. But this can never become even a brief biography.
However, to write, not on Saint Joseph, but on themes concerning the saint or with regard to him, is different. For one is not attempting a biography but a reflection. Or, if you like, a meditation. It is not a reconstruction of a life but a series of considerations derived from a few facts, which are not explicit but are inferred." And he also states "The devotion Saint Josemaría Escrivá had for the holy patriarch led him to sketch this terse and penetrating portrait: "He is an ordinary man, a family man, a worker who earned his living by manual labour."[1] But isn't this something that can be said of very many people? And isn't this to say that holiness - for Joseph is a great saint - is accessible in the most ordinary and everyday occupations? And, if this is the case, cannot contemplation of the Gospel, insofar as it refers in one way or other to this person (who, humanly speaking, is so much at our own level), reveal to us the secret of sanctity in work and in the fulfillment of one's duties?" and that is what we get with this book. We receive a portrait of Joseph, an ordinary man who was given an extraordinary mission.
The chapters in this book:
1. The figure of Joseph
2. A quiet man
3. The spouse of Mary
4. Being a just man
5. "While he reflected. . ."
6. He took his wife to his home
7. They met Mary, Joseph, and the Child
8. "You shall call his name Jesus"
9. Simeon blessed them
10. "Rise and flee to Egypt. . ."
11. "Remain there. . ."
12. He feared going there
13. They returned to Jerusalem
14. And seeing him, they marvelled
15. "Your father and I . . ."
16. They did not understand his reply
17. He was subject to them
18. The son of the craftsman
19. A faithful and prudent steward
This book is a moving read. The examples presented, the meditations or reflections on Joseph's life are deeply moving. And will help the reader grow in faith and piety. For the example of Joseph cannot help but motivate. This book can be read two ways and I have now read it both, you can pick it up and read it from beginning to end. The second time through I took it chapter by chapter, spread out the reading, and using it for deeper reflection. You will benefit from both readings but this second method turns the book into a literary reflection.
This book was an excellent read. And most of Saurez's books are available in English and I can highly recommend them. But I cannot help but wish that the last few would become available in English in the future. Another great book from Scepter, thank you!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
In the forward Suarez states "It is not easy to write reliably on Saint Joseph, the last of the patriarchs, the craftsman of Nazareth, and the spouse of our Lady. Every historian knows that, without sources, history is impossible. One cannot attain it through simple conjecture. Once a few facts are available, it is possible to go a little further and trace a sketch, enriched with the help of an appropriate setting. But this can never become even a brief biography.
However, to write, not on Saint Joseph, but on themes concerning the saint or with regard to him, is different. For one is not attempting a biography but a reflection. Or, if you like, a meditation. It is not a reconstruction of a life but a series of considerations derived from a few facts, which are not explicit but are inferred." And he also states "The devotion Saint Josemaría Escrivá had for the holy patriarch led him to sketch this terse and penetrating portrait: "He is an ordinary man, a family man, a worker who earned his living by manual labour."[1] But isn't this something that can be said of very many people? And isn't this to say that holiness - for Joseph is a great saint - is accessible in the most ordinary and everyday occupations? And, if this is the case, cannot contemplation of the Gospel, insofar as it refers in one way or other to this person (who, humanly speaking, is so much at our own level), reveal to us the secret of sanctity in work and in the fulfillment of one's duties?" and that is what we get with this book. We receive a portrait of Joseph, an ordinary man who was given an extraordinary mission.
The chapters in this book:
1. The figure of Joseph
2. A quiet man
3. The spouse of Mary
4. Being a just man
5. "While he reflected. . ."
6. He took his wife to his home
7. They met Mary, Joseph, and the Child
8. "You shall call his name Jesus"
9. Simeon blessed them
10. "Rise and flee to Egypt. . ."
11. "Remain there. . ."
12. He feared going there
13. They returned to Jerusalem
14. And seeing him, they marvelled
15. "Your father and I . . ."
16. They did not understand his reply
17. He was subject to them
18. The son of the craftsman
19. A faithful and prudent steward
This book is a moving read. The examples presented, the meditations or reflections on Joseph's life are deeply moving. And will help the reader grow in faith and piety. For the example of Joseph cannot help but motivate. This book can be read two ways and I have now read it both, you can pick it up and read it from beginning to end. The second time through I took it chapter by chapter, spread out the reading, and using it for deeper reflection. You will benefit from both readings but this second method turns the book into a literary reflection.
This book was an excellent read. And most of Saurez's books are available in English and I can highly recommend them. But I cannot help but wish that the last few would become available in English in the future. Another great book from Scepter, thank you!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
Want to read
March 11, 2021Recommended by my friend Steph.
December 21, 2016
I loved this meditation on St Joseph by Frederico Suarez. Each chapter offers a meditation on what we can gather about the life and virtues of the holy earthly father of Our Lord, based on the verses in Scripture which refer to him. Highly recommended for all men, especially fathers, husbands, and priests.
February 3, 2022
"Joseph: a man indistinguishable from others and the last person to attract the attention of his contemporaries; a man who passed unnoticed among other men, content to be no more than what he was." (p. 100)
The two-thousand-year-old example of Joseph of Nazareth remains a powerful role model to workers, fathers and men of the modern world by embodying the one virtue that continues to elude our perception of masculinity two thousand years after King Herod chased Joseph into the desert out of self-obsessed paranoia: humility.
How grateful I am to have read this as I prepare for marriage. Joseph's witness to the world (extrapolated here from the tiny handful of mentions in the Gospels, with each chapter reflecting on a line or two) can never be outdated. For men to truly renounce their ego, ambition and posterity in pursuit of humility is as countercultural now as it was in Joseph's own time.
The two-thousand-year-old example of Joseph of Nazareth remains a powerful role model to workers, fathers and men of the modern world by embodying the one virtue that continues to elude our perception of masculinity two thousand years after King Herod chased Joseph into the desert out of self-obsessed paranoia: humility.
How grateful I am to have read this as I prepare for marriage. Joseph's witness to the world (extrapolated here from the tiny handful of mentions in the Gospels, with each chapter reflecting on a line or two) can never be outdated. For men to truly renounce their ego, ambition and posterity in pursuit of humility is as countercultural now as it was in Joseph's own time.
October 3, 2007
wonderful book delving into the life of St. Joseph who gets a mere few mentions in the gospels. He is much like us: gone unnoticed. How can we learn from his example?
Suarez brings up many great insights; however, he does start most chapters with some superfluous narration.
Suarez brings up many great insights; however, he does start most chapters with some superfluous narration.
March 11, 2024
A beautiful study of the life of St Joseph focusing on his betrothal to Mary, the incarnation, the flight to Egypt, finding Jesus in the Temple, his working life, his virtues. Incredibly well researched and full of amazing insights. I love it.
January 23, 2021
Ogni capitolo di questo libro offre degli spunti molto interessanti per approfondire alcuni aspetti della vita di questo Santo. Le informazioni "ufficiali" non sono moltissime, ma tutte le osservazioni tratte dall'autore e dalle fonti che ha citato sono verosimili e anche coerenti con altri aspetti più noti delle dinamiche e dei dogmi della Fede. Inoltre ogni capitolo ha permesso di trarre delle osservazioni e delle riflessioni critiche sulla società e sulla visione moderna della famiglia, del matrimonio e della paternità.
August 23, 2021
This was an interesting, well researched biography of the silent saint. I appreciated that the author gave context (historical and spiritual) for Joseph's actions. This made the modern application of Joseph's roles as husband and father hold a lot more weight. This is a thoughtful book for the year of St. Joseph.
April 3, 2020
It was good but not what I was looking for. Focused a lot on applying lessons from St. Joseph to our own lives. I was looking more for aspects of devotion and clarity about what we know about him from scriptures and the saints/mystics.
December 18, 2014
What a wonderful book to read during the Christmas season! I became enamored of Joseph a few years ago when I first heard "It wasn't his Child" by Trisha Yearwood. It might seem odd that such a simple, sappy song could get to me so deeply, but it made me think of just how difficult Joseph's path was, and how he not only accepted it, but accepted it without question and with thanksgiving. It is not something that most people would or could have done. And the more I thought about it, his courage and strength were obvious if you were to look at it.
Anyhow, written by a Catholic Priest and academic from Spain, protestants like myself may not agree with every aspect of what he sees and believes about Joseph, but a Christian of any stripe should be able to see a whole lot of truth in it. Joseph's humble strength that is evident, but not obvious, is well illuminated in this book. And it's a great lesson to learn around Christmas time.
Anyhow, written by a Catholic Priest and academic from Spain, protestants like myself may not agree with every aspect of what he sees and believes about Joseph, but a Christian of any stripe should be able to see a whole lot of truth in it. Joseph's humble strength that is evident, but not obvious, is well illuminated in this book. And it's a great lesson to learn around Christmas time.
July 24, 2022
Wonderful reflections on St. Joseph that expound upon very little source material. It expertly weaves in reflections and writings of many great saints to paint a beautiful picture of a great saint and how he can guide us in a journey of faith today.
June 6, 2012
I so loved every minute of reading and praying with Mary of Nazareth, that I had to go to Joseph. more soon ~
June 25, 2012
The best blueprint of how to be a man, a boyfriend, a betrothed and a father is in this book.
May 1, 2016
Very good for reflection - Joseph is one of my favorite saints. But a little slow writing style.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews