Saint Joseph Shadow of the Father is a book by Andrew Doze, written in 1992. It is 179 pages long, and Saint Joseph sets an example of fatherhood. This is particularly relevant for the Knights of Columbus, which will be explained in this article. Saint Joseph Shadow of the Father looks at the history and theology of Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. For anyone who would like to know more about St. Joseph and grow in their relationship with the foster father of Jesus, consider reading this book. The historical account is eye-opening. Would you find a review of the holy family useful for your Lenten Devotion?
Saint Joseph Shadow of the Father Explained
The Church was initially focused on Jesus as the true God and true man, so reflections on Joseph’s fatherhood are scant and practically nonexistent. The pious saw Joseph as an old widower with children from a previous marriage. Little progress on the life of Saint Joseph was made through the Middle Ages. The first big discovery of Saint Joseph came with Teresa of Avila, who adopted him as a spiritual father and was devoted to him.
Saint Francis de Sales and Monsieur Olier became champions of Joseph in the 1600s. Pope Pius IX declared Joseph patron of the universal church in 1870 (during the First Vatican Council). The Lourdes visionary, St. Bernadette Soubirous, also had a deep connection to the Holy Family and thus to Saint Joseph. Knowledge, interest, and devotion to Saint Joseph have developed through the centuries and are ongoing.
The Eight Chapters
There are eight chapters in Saint Joseph’s Shadow of the Father, and the table of contents provides a useful summary of what is in the book. Each chapter has several parts, and they are informative. Chapter One is called A Progressive Revelation. It has three parts: A Long Night, The Day is Dawning, and Pius IX, or the Discreet Apotheosis.
Chapter Two is called The Great Intentions. It has eight parts: An Astounding Century, St. Joseph of Avila, A Radical Innovation, St. Francis de Sales, The Shadow of the Holy Marriage, Monsier Olier, Mosignier’s Secret, and The Main Ideas. Chapter three is Bernadette’s Contribution and has seven parts: Pius IX and Bernadette, The Spirit of Nazareth, Hands and Feet, The Great Separation, The Discovery, Death and Briual, and Benadett’s Contribution.
Chapter four is The Descent of Jesus and has five parts: Mary’s Wish, The Descent, The Will of the Father, A True Descent, and Crossing a Threshold. Chapter five has seven parts: The Parental Trial, The Cloud, The Shadow of the Almighty, A Unique Prophecy, The Shadow’s First Blessing, The Shadow’s Second Blessing, and Witness of the Shadow.
Chapter six is called The Time of the Father. It has five parts. Time, A Paternal Mystery, The Man of Wednesday, The Fullness of Time, Space and Time, and Divine Magic. Chapter Seven is called On Being the Son of Joseph. It has six parts. An Urgency: Go Down to Nazareth, An Easy Yoke, A Light Burden, Silence, The Night of Faith, The Mental and the Spiritual, and Leaning on Time. The eighth and final chapter is the Conclusion. It has three parts: A Route, Discernment, and Love.
The Knights of Columbus on Fatherhood
Perhaps the most vociferous defenders of the modern family, and thus fatherhood, are the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus were founded in 1882 by a Catholic priest in Connecticut. That Priest, Blessed Michal McGivney, is now 1 miracle short of sainthood. The Knights of Columbus were founded to aid widows whose husbands died young. The organization persists and does a lot of good worldwide.
Conclusion
It is a good thing to learn about the holy family during Lent. Andrew Doze’s Saint Joseph Shadow of the Father allows us to learn about husband and father Joseph. Because it is important for Catholics to read about the saints during Lent this is a goo book to read. Reading the book, it should be pointed out, requires patience because the writing is not great. In that way, sticking to it is like a sacrifce for Lent.
