With the publication and release of his apostolic letter patris corde, pope francis has given the faithful a unique and special opportunity to approach and imitate the patron saint of the church and the family. is the year of st. joseph december 8, 2020 to december 8, 2020 8, 2021. although there are many ways to celebrate and take advantage of this year, there are a multitude of excellent books available to help us further in this holy quest, the “grace of graces “, as Pope Francis calls it: our conversion. as we prepare for the feast of st. Joseph the Worker on May 1, the second of two holidays in the church calendar dedicated to him, I’ve listed five of my top suggestions for reading below and included a few honorable mentions worth considering as well.
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You are reading: Books on st joseph
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pope francis’s apostolic letter patris corde (osv, $4.95), translated as “with a father’s heart,” heralds the year of st. Joseph. Don’t Skip This: The letter should be at the top of reading lists for those who wish to follow the Holy Father’s call for greater devotion to St. Joseph. Pope Francis emphasizes the spiritual benefits of imitating a saint who embodied the joy of work, an open heart to God’s will, and a loving devotion to the dignity of fatherhood.
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“now it’s time for st. joseph,” the author proclaims, and I’m not sure there could be a better book to choose from and commit to votive reading than “consecration to st. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father” (Marian Press, $14.95). A bestseller with high ratings in all domains and ranking high in my personal library, this book is a manual in the same style as the famous “Total Consecration” of St. louis de montfort: a title that has changed the lives of countless catholics through multiple generations. consecration to st. joseph is a comprehensive 33-day plan with preparation, readings, and prayers intertwined with detailed instructions in a three-part guide that is simple yet effective.
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the “father in the shadows”, as pope francis says in patris corde, is fully visible in this brief but abundant reading of father meschler. “The Truth About Saint Joseph: Finding the Most Hidden of Saints” (Sophia, $14.95) is a well-researched and illuminating book. In it, the author of The Company of Jesus discovers amazing facts about the life and person of St. joseph that allow each believer to better appreciate this chosen father of the son of god. readers will discover the importance of his lineage and birth, his daily life and the importance of his actions that we testify in the holy scriptures. Better than a historical text, readers are provided with thoughtful suggestions for their devotion to the saint and imitation acts of his place as father, worker, and patron of the church.
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This faux leather prayer book is an exquisite means of growing up to imitate St. Joseph as protective patron of the church and family through the recitation of devout prayers. “The San Jose Prayer Book” (Bronze Books, $12.95) contains the Novena for a Special Favor, the Litany of St. joseph, a 30-day prayer, memorare, and prayers for a range of intentions, including purity, conversion, a happy death, and much more. “each of us can discover in josé, the man who goes unnoticed, a discreet and hidden daily presence, an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of difficulty”, writes francisco in patris corde. If you’re looking for a collection of prayers to use in almost every circumstance, from Confession to Mass, for yourself or as a gift, this beautiful prayer book has it all.
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If you don’t already have a daily prayer book for the liturgy of the hours, this is a safe bet. the “st. Joseph’s Daily Prayer Book” (Catholic Book Publishing Company, $6.95) is a simple breviary that anyone can pick up and use. Anyone who has collected and prayed more complex divine office sets will vouch for the benefits of eliminating complicated tabs, ribbons, or inserts. A teenager, a recent convert, or a lifelong Catholic will find success and spirit with this version of the breviary from one of its leading publishers. the “st. joseph’s daily prayer book” is not specifically addressed to the life of st. joseph or any particular devotion to him, but it’s on this list because it’s stress-free, effective, and won’t break the wallet for anyone looking for a great version of the liturgy of the hours.
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honorable mentions
there are some honorable mentions. A great alternative to any of the prayer books listed above is Day by Day with Saint Joseph (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., $9.95). this is a useful book for a collection of prayers with the addition of meditations to use throughout the year.
Fatherhood
is the most critical component of our reflection this year (isn’t it always?). Pope Francis writes: “Being a father entails introducing children to life and reality.” And so I encourage parents to read, also, of the many excellent Catholic parenting books available. Two that I keep at arm’s reach are “Don’t Let the Culture Raise Your Kids” (OSV, $18.95) by Marcia Segelstein and “Parenting with the Beatitudes” (TAN Books, $16.95) by Jeannie and Ben Ewing for their uniquely helpful take on growing in holiness as a parent. To be sure, there are several other parenting books worth reading during the Year of St. Joseph.
pope francis apostolic letter arrives on the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of st. Joseph as patron of the universal church. “Our world today needs fathers”, proclaims Pope Francis. Sure to make this a universal call on all the faithful, he also clarifies, “in a certain way, we are all like Joseph” like a shadow that follows the sun: for us, the son of God. May the reading help us in our prayer, and may the prayer help us in our lives to be more paternal: following Christ closer than ever in this very special year.
shaun mcafee writes from italy.
“Model of Faith: Reflecting on the Litany of Saint Joseph“ (OSV, $9.95) by Leonard J. DeLorenzo leads readers to consider the many ways that Jesus’ foster-father faithfully and diligently carried out God’s will. DeLorenzo offers a reflection upon one of the 22 names, titles or honors of St. Joseph that we find in the litany. As the litany guides us in proclaiming St. Joseph, “Model of Faith” helps us contemplate the mysteries of God, whom Joseph never fails to praise and serve. As we pray to St. Joseph — offering petitions, contemplating his witness — “Model of Faith” helps draw readers into communion with God, who dwelt in Joseph’s household.
“A Man Named Joseph: Guardian of Our Times“ (OSV, $14.95) by Joe Heschmeyer begins by diving into an explanation of the papal title, “patron of the universal Church.” Heschmeyer explores what St. Joseph offers the Church and each one of us today. Heschmeyer further dives into what the Bible and early Chrisitan say about St. Joseph as a model husband, father and saint. Each chapter ends with personal reflection and group discussion questions.
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