As we transition into March, the Church shifts its monthly devotion from that of the Holy Family, to the leader of the Holy Family, St. Joseph, also preserving a Universal Solemnity in his honor on March 19th. As the earthly father of Jesus, St. Joseph embodies strength, faith, and humble service. In dedicating an entire month to St. Joseph, the faithful are offered a unique opportunity to contemplate the model of fatherhood and masculinity that St. Joseph represents. A unique portrayal of this model is captured in the artwork, St. Joseph the Worker by Ruth Stricklin of New Jerusalem Studios, commissioned for Sacred Heart Church in Phoenix, Arizona. This sacred piece was created in response to the Apostolic Exhortation Into the Breach by Bishop Thomas Olmsted in 2015, which addresses the challenges facing Catholic men in the modern world. (NOTE: While the actual Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is celebrated on May 1st, we will explore this image during the month dedicated to St. Joseph.)
The Inspiration and Origin - Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sacred Heart Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose miraculous image deeply influences the interior design and sanctuary murals. The church’s color scheme and motifs are directly derived from the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Designed as a companion piece to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, this painting of St. Joseph the Worker was meant to offer a visual meditation on St. Joseph’s special relationship to Mary and his role as father, protector, and spiritual leader of the Holy Family. Positioned alongside the image of Our Lady, St. Joseph the Worker stands as a guardian and protector, guiding our attention to her with strength and reverence. The two works, though distinct, come together to highlight the complementary roles of Mary and Joseph in our daily lives and in God's plan of salvation.
Symbolism Within the Artwork
Each element of the artwork is intentionally crafted to reflect key aspects of St. Joseph's role as spiritual leader, protector, and provider. His posture is strong, yet humble, exuding a quiet readiness and strength that portrays his deep faith and commitment to God's will:
The Scroll
The scripture passage in St. Joseph’s hand is of Ezekiel 22:30, which reads, “Thus I have searched among them for someone who would build a wall or stand in the breach before me to keep me from destroying the land; but I found no one.” This shows his role as a bearer of God's Word and his connection to the Old Testament prophets, pointing to his deep faith and obedience to God.
The Staff: Like a shepherd, St. Joseph holds a staff to ward off danger and clear the path ahead. It symbolizes his role as the protector of the Holy Family, ensuring their safety in times of peril.
The Stone Sledge
The sledge hammer, symbolic of St. Joseph’s work as a carpenter and stone mason, represents his diligence and humble labor he undertook to provide for his family. This practical aspect of his life highlights the dignity of work, reminding us that our everyday tasks can be sanctified when done in service to God.
The Garment: The vibrant green color of St. Joseph’s garment represents new life, vitality, and growth. It speaks to his role in nurturing and caring for the Child Jesus and his essential contribution to the growth of the Church. St. Joseph is often shown aged, but tradition tells us he was merely middle-aged. He must have had a great deal of vitality to be able to ensure his family’s safe passage to Egypt and back when King Herod sought their death.
The Lion’s Head Motif: The outer robe of St. Joseph features a pattern of lion heads, which are derived from the flowers on the gown of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is a visual connection to St. Joseph’s lineage as a descendant of the tribe of Judah, the same tribe from which the Messiah, Jesus, was born. The lion represents strength, courage, and leadership.
The Lily Flowers: At St. Joseph's feet, lilies bloom, signifying Mary, his spouse, and his unwavering commitment to chastity. The lily’s purity echoes the Virgin Mary’s own purity and their shared devotion to God.
The Mountaintop: St. Joseph is depicted standing on a mountaintop, a biblical symbol of encountering God’s presence. This reveals his intimate relationship with God as well as the Son, and his constant openness to His will, as he trusted in God's guidance without hesitation.
St. Jospeh - Model of Masculinity and Faithfulness
What stands out in the portrayal of St. Joseph is his readiness and vigilance. Unlike Mary, whose eyes are downcast in humility, St. Joseph’s gaze is lifted heavenward. His posture and eyes reflect his openness to divine direction. While we have no recorded words from St. Joseph in scripture, his actions speak volumes. In a dream, he was warned to get up and go to Egypt, as King Herod was seeking to kill all infants in order to thwart the prophecy of the new King of the Jews being born. We are told he did just that, acting faithfully in obedience without hesitation, even when faced with great uncertainty and risk. His unwavering trust in God made him the perfect model of fatherhood and masculinity for Jesus, as well as for men throughout history and today.
In our modern age, we are experiencing a crisis of culture, in which young men are leaving the faith and turning from virtue. We have seen a rise in fathers abandoning their families or not marrying at all. Without a moral compass, young men have experienced a sharp rise in depression, disillusionment and disengagement from meaningful relationships and purpose. Pope St. John Paul II emphasized that there is no solution to our cultural decline apart from the Gospel of Jesus, a truth echoed in Bishop Olmsted's Into the Breach. In his exhortation, Bishop Olmsted calls Catholic men to step into the breach, to actively engage in their roles as husbands, fathers, and protectors of their families. He challenges men to embrace the virtues of masculinity as exemplified by Christ and St. Joseph.
The Spiritual Legacy of St. Joseph
St. Joseph’s role as protector of the Holy Family is not just a historical fact, but an ongoing spiritual reality. In the Catholic Church, St. Joseph is known as the Guardian of the Redeemer, tasked with safeguarding Jesus, the actual Body of Christ, as he grew under St. Joseph’s care. His guardianship now extends beyond the Holy Family and into the Church itself, as he is the protector of the Body of Christ as all the faithful. Pope Pius IX formally declared St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church in 1870, recognizing his continued role as a protector and intercessor for all Catholics.
St. Joseph’s faithfulness and trust in God challenges us to consider our own commitment to the Gospel and our responsibility to protect and nurture our families. His example invites men to embrace their call to fatherhood with strength, humility, and a willingness to defend what is good and true.
St. Joseph and the Holy Family
When St. Joseph the Worker is viewed alongside the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it forms a profound portrait of the Holy Family. Mary, with the Christ Child in her womb, stands as the Blessed Virgin, the epitome of purity and maternal love. St. Joseph, her protector and Most Chaste Spouse, stands ready to defend and guide her and the Child within her. Together, these two figures reveal the intimate bond of love, sacrifice, and trust that defines the Holy Family.
In this sacred artwork, we see a reflection of God’s plan for the family. St. Joseph, as the earthly father of Jesus, models the masculine virtues of strength, leadership, and faithfulness. His example invites men to reflect on their role as husbands and fathers, guiding their families with the same devotion and courageous virtue. As we honor St. Joseph in March, may this image of him as St. Joseph the Worker inspire us to embrace our vocations with the same fidelity and strength, walking in the footsteps of this great saint, and stepping into the breach with Christ as our guide.
(Article written by Ruth Stricklin, Sacred artist)
Printed copies of Into the Breach by Bishop Olmsted are available through the Knights of Columbus on Amazon.