Josephology
Encyclopedia
Josephology is the theological
study of Saint Joseph
, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Records of devotions to Saint Joseph go back to the year 800 and Doctors of the Church since Saint Thomas Aquinas
have written on the subject. With the growth of Mariology
, the theological study of Saint Joseph also grew and in the 1950s specific centers for it were formed. The modern study of the theology of Saint Joseph is one of the most recent theological disciplines
.
developed, and by the 12th century, along with greater devotion to Mary, the writings of the Benedictine
monks began to foster a following for Saint Joseph and they began to enter his name in their liturgical calendars or in their martyrology
.
In the 13th century, the Dominican
Doctor of the Church
Saint Thomas Aquinas
discussed the necessity of the presence of Saint Joseph in the plan of the Incarnation for if Mary had not been married, the Jews would have stoned her and that in his youth Jesus needed the care and protection of a human father. The Josephology of Aquinas often proceeded with the juxtaposition of Joseph and Mary.
In the 15th century major steps were taken by Saint Bernardine of Siena, Pierre d'Ailly and Jean Gerson
, the chancellor of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. Gerson wrote a lengthy treatise in French titled Consideration sur Saint Joseph and a 120 verse poem in Latin about Saint Joseph. In 1416 to 1418 Gerson preached sermons on Saint Joseph at the Council of Constance
in which he borrowed heavily from Marian
themes.
(St. Joseph of the Carpenters), constructed in 1540 in the Forum Romanum, above the prison that by tradition had held Saint Peter
and Saint Paul. The spread of his following is then shown by the publication of the first Litany of St. Joseph in Rome in 1597 and the introduction of the Cord of St. Joseph in Antwerp in 1657. These were then followed by the Chaplet of St. Joseph in 1850, and the Scapular of St. Joseph
of the Capuchin
s which was approved in 1880. The formal veneration of the Holy Family
began in the 17th century by Mgr François de Laval
.
From the 16th century onwards a number of Catholic saints prayed to Saint Joseph, invoked his help and protection and encouraged others to do so. In Introduction to the Devout Life
St. Francis de Sales included Saint Joseph along with the Virgin Mary as saints to be invoked during prayers following an examination of the conscience. Saint Teresa of Avila attributed her recovery of health to Saint Joseph and recommended him as an advocate. In The Story of a Soul
, Saint Therese of Lisieux stated that for a period of time, every day she prayed to "Saint Joseph, Father and Protector of Virgins..." and felt safe and protected from danger as a result. The three saints mentioned in this paragraph were all Doctors of the Church
.
Pope Pius IX
proclaimed Saint Joseph the patron of the Universal Church in 1870. Saint Joseph is also, unofficially, the patron saint of fighting communism
. In 1889 Pope Leo XIII
issued the encyclical Quamquam Pluries
in which he urged Catholics to pray to Saint Joseph, as the patron of the Church in view of the challenges facing the Church, such as the growing depravity of morals in the young generation. He prescribed that during October, a prayer to St. Joseph be added to the Rosary
and granted indulgences for this.
, the theological study of Saint Joseph also began to grow, to discuss his role in the economy of salvation. Three centers for Josephology were formed in the 1950s, the first in Valladolid
Spain, the second at Saint Joseph's Oratory
in Montreal and the third in the theologate of Viterbo
, Italy.
In 1989, on the occasion of the centenary of Quamquam Pluries
Pope John Paul II delivered the Apostolic exhortation Redemptoris Custos
, i.e. Guardian of the Redeemer. This exhortation is part of the "redemption documents" issued by Pope John Paul II, and refers to the Marian encyclical Redemptoris Mater
. It discusses the importance of Saint Joseph in the Holy Family, and presents the pope's view of Saint Joseph's role in the plan of redemption. John Paul II positions Saint Joseph as breaking the old vice of paternal familial domination, and suggests him as the model of a loving father.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
study of Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Records of devotions to Saint Joseph go back to the year 800 and Doctors of the Church since Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
have written on the subject. With the growth of Mariology
Mariology
Roman Catholic Mariology is theology concerned with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as developed by the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic teachings on the subject have been based on the belief that "The Blessed Virgin, because she is the Mother of God, is believed to hold a certain...
, the theological study of Saint Joseph also grew and in the 1950s specific centers for it were formed. The modern study of the theology of Saint Joseph is one of the most recent theological disciplines
Academic discipline
An academic discipline, or field of study, is a branch of knowledge that is taught and researched at the college or university level. Disciplines are defined , and recognized by the academic journals in which research is published, and the learned societies and academic departments or faculties to...
.
Early period
The earliest record of a formal devotional following for Saint Joseph in the Western Church is in the abridged Martyrology of Rheinau in Northern France, which dates to the year 800. References to St. Joseph as nutritor Domini (educator/guardian of the Lord) from the 9th to the 14th centuries continued to increase as MariologyMariology
Roman Catholic Mariology is theology concerned with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as developed by the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic teachings on the subject have been based on the belief that "The Blessed Virgin, because she is the Mother of God, is believed to hold a certain...
developed, and by the 12th century, along with greater devotion to Mary, the writings of the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monks began to foster a following for Saint Joseph and they began to enter his name in their liturgical calendars or in their martyrology
Martyrology
A martyrology is a catalogue or list of martyrs , arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts. Local martyrologies record exclusively the custom of a particular Church. Local lists were enriched by names borrowed from neighbouring churches...
.
In the 13th century, the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Church is a title given by a variety of Christian churches to individuals whom they recognize as having been of particular importance, particularly regarding their contribution to theology or doctrine.-Catholic Church:In the Catholic Church, this name is given to a saint from whose...
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
discussed the necessity of the presence of Saint Joseph in the plan of the Incarnation for if Mary had not been married, the Jews would have stoned her and that in his youth Jesus needed the care and protection of a human father. The Josephology of Aquinas often proceeded with the juxtaposition of Joseph and Mary.
In the 15th century major steps were taken by Saint Bernardine of Siena, Pierre d'Ailly and Jean Gerson
Jean Gerson
Jean Charlier de Gerson , French scholar, educator, reformer, and poet, Chancellor of the University of Paris, a guiding light of the conciliar movement and one of the most prominent theologians at the Council of Constance, was born at the village of Gerson, in the bishopric of Reims in...
, the chancellor of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. Gerson wrote a lengthy treatise in French titled Consideration sur Saint Joseph and a 120 verse poem in Latin about Saint Joseph. In 1416 to 1418 Gerson preached sermons on Saint Joseph at the Council of Constance
Council of Constance
The Council of Constance is the 15th ecumenical council recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, held from 1414 to 1418. The council ended the Three-Popes Controversy, by deposing or accepting the resignation of the remaining Papal claimants and electing Pope Martin V.The Council also condemned and...
in which he borrowed heavily from Marian
Mariology
Roman Catholic Mariology is theology concerned with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as developed by the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic teachings on the subject have been based on the belief that "The Blessed Virgin, because she is the Mother of God, is believed to hold a certain...
themes.
16th-19th centuries
The growth of the following of Saint Joseph is manifested with the earliest church dedicated to him in Rome, San Giuseppe dei FalegnamiSan Giuseppe dei Falegnami
San Giuseppe dei Falegnami is a Roman Catholic church in Rome, Italy. Located in the Forum Romanum, the church dates to 1540 and is dedicated to Saint Joseph....
(St. Joseph of the Carpenters), constructed in 1540 in the Forum Romanum, above the prison that by tradition had held Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
and Saint Paul. The spread of his following is then shown by the publication of the first Litany of St. Joseph in Rome in 1597 and the introduction of the Cord of St. Joseph in Antwerp in 1657. These were then followed by the Chaplet of St. Joseph in 1850, and the Scapular of St. Joseph
Scapular of St. Joseph
The Scapular of Saint Joseph is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular that traces its roots to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in St. Claude in France and was initially in white. It was later approved for the Diocese of Verona by the Congregation of Rites in 1880...
of the Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
s which was approved in 1880. The formal veneration of the Holy Family
Holy Family
The Holy Family consists of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph.The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Roman Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family...
began in the 17th century by Mgr François de Laval
François de Laval
This article is in part a sermon and generally comes close to hagiography.Blessed François-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval was the first Roman Catholic bishop of Quebec and was one of the most influential men of his day. He was appointed when he was 36 years old by Pope Alexander VII. He was a member...
.
From the 16th century onwards a number of Catholic saints prayed to Saint Joseph, invoked his help and protection and encouraged others to do so. In Introduction to the Devout Life
Introduction to the Devout Life
Introduction to the Devout Life was written by St. Francis de Sales, the first edition being published in 1609. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. It enjoyed wide popularity, and was well-received in both Protestant and Catholic circles, evidenced by...
St. Francis de Sales included Saint Joseph along with the Virgin Mary as saints to be invoked during prayers following an examination of the conscience. Saint Teresa of Avila attributed her recovery of health to Saint Joseph and recommended him as an advocate. In The Story of a Soul
The Story of a Soul
The Story of a Soul is the autobiography of Thérèse of Lisieux. It was first published on September 30, 1898, a year to the day after her death from tuberculosis at the age of 24, on September 30, 1897...
, Saint Therese of Lisieux stated that for a period of time, every day she prayed to "Saint Joseph, Father and Protector of Virgins..." and felt safe and protected from danger as a result. The three saints mentioned in this paragraph were all Doctors of the Church
Doctor of the Church
Doctor of the Church is a title given by a variety of Christian churches to individuals whom they recognize as having been of particular importance, particularly regarding their contribution to theology or doctrine.-Catholic Church:In the Catholic Church, this name is given to a saint from whose...
.
Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
proclaimed Saint Joseph the patron of the Universal Church in 1870. Saint Joseph is also, unofficially, the patron saint of fighting communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
. In 1889 Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII
Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...
issued the encyclical Quamquam Pluries
Quamquam Pluries
Quamquam Pluries is an encyclical on Saint Joseph by Pope Leo XIII. It was issued on August 15, 1889 in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.As a background, the pope stated the challenges facing the Church, such as the growing depravity of morals in the young generation:Now, Venerable Brethren, you know...
in which he urged Catholics to pray to Saint Joseph, as the patron of the Church in view of the challenges facing the Church, such as the growing depravity of morals in the young generation. He prescribed that during October, a prayer to St. Joseph be added to the Rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
and granted indulgences for this.
Modern development
With the growth of MariologyMariology
Roman Catholic Mariology is theology concerned with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as developed by the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic teachings on the subject have been based on the belief that "The Blessed Virgin, because she is the Mother of God, is believed to hold a certain...
, the theological study of Saint Joseph also began to grow, to discuss his role in the economy of salvation. Three centers for Josephology were formed in the 1950s, the first in Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
Spain, the second at Saint Joseph's Oratory
Saint Joseph's Oratory
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, , is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine on the west slope of Mount Royal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-History:...
in Montreal and the third in the theologate of Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, Italy.
In 1989, on the occasion of the centenary of Quamquam Pluries
Quamquam Pluries
Quamquam Pluries is an encyclical on Saint Joseph by Pope Leo XIII. It was issued on August 15, 1889 in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.As a background, the pope stated the challenges facing the Church, such as the growing depravity of morals in the young generation:Now, Venerable Brethren, you know...
Pope John Paul II delivered the Apostolic exhortation Redemptoris Custos
Redemptoris Custos
Redemptoris Custos is the title of an Apostolic exhortation by Pope John Paul II on Saint Joseph. It was delivered on August 15, 1989 in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on the occasion of the centenary of Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical Epistle Quamquam Pluries.This exhortation is part of the...
, i.e. Guardian of the Redeemer. This exhortation is part of the "redemption documents" issued by Pope John Paul II, and refers to the Marian encyclical Redemptoris Mater
Redemptoris Mater
Redemptoris Mater is the name for certain Roman Catholic seminaries which operate under the auspices of the Neocatechumenal Way and claim as their mission the formation of priests for the "New Evangelization". These seminaries are distributed worldwide, with nearly 1,500 seminarians currently in...
. It discusses the importance of Saint Joseph in the Holy Family, and presents the pope's view of Saint Joseph's role in the plan of redemption. John Paul II positions Saint Joseph as breaking the old vice of paternal familial domination, and suggests him as the model of a loving father.
See also
- MariologyMariologyRoman Catholic Mariology is theology concerned with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as developed by the Catholic Church. Roman Catholic teachings on the subject have been based on the belief that "The Blessed Virgin, because she is the Mother of God, is believed to hold a certain...
- Roman Catholic Mariology
- Redemptoris CustosRedemptoris CustosRedemptoris Custos is the title of an Apostolic exhortation by Pope John Paul II on Saint Joseph. It was delivered on August 15, 1989 in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on the occasion of the centenary of Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical Epistle Quamquam Pluries.This exhortation is part of the...
- List of churches named after Saint Joseph
- List of places named after Saint Joseph
Further reading
- Discovering Saint Joseph by Andrew Doze 1991 ISBN 0854393838
- Josephology and its advancement since the time of Pius IX by Jean Edward Furey, 1961 St. Bonaventure University Press