Encountering the Heart of St. Joseph: A Father in the Shadows

In the Apostolic Letter “Patris Corde,” we are invited to reflect upon St. Joseph as a father in the shadows. 

This title illuminates the profound humility and the heroic uniformity with God’s will that St. Joseph embodied as “head of the Holy Family” and “diligent protector of Christ.” When I ponder my youngest child discovering his own shadow in our backyard, it brings me joy. His shadow becomes hidden within mine when he turns toward me and with child-like trust and allows himself to be swept up into his father’s arms. 

This intimate exchange is not unlike St. Joseph’s relationship with our heavenly father. In a heroic yet child-like way, he allowed his own shadow, his very will, to become hidden within the father’s shadow.

In obedience to heavenly promptings, St. Joseph cooperated with God’s will and embraced the father’s plans. His own freedom and strength were not taken from him but as a beloved son responding in authentic meekness St. Joseph freely united his life to the will of the father. 

Because of St. Joseph’s total submission to the father’s will, his shadow of protection over the Holy Family truly became indistinguishable from the father’s shadow.  “In the shadow of your wings I seek refuge” (Ps 57:1). 

Like St. Joseph, it is when we unite our own will to the will of our heavenly father that we most assuredly live in the shadow of his wings. Within his shadow we are granted the freedom to become heroes of the faith and to confidently travel the path toward eternity with Jesus and Mary.

Luke Zumo