The word “patriarch” means father. What all the patriarchs of the Old Testament foreshadowed, and all Christian fathers are called to reflect, is the paternal light of God shining through the fatherhood of St. Joseph. After Christ, St. Joseph is the greatest of all the patriarchs; he is the greatest of all fathers!

Picture to yourself the sanctity of all the patriarchs of old, that long line of successive generations which is the mysterious ladder of Jacob, culminating in the person of the Son of God. See how great was the faith of Abraham, the obedience of Isaac, the courage of David, the wisdom of Solomon. After you have formed the highest opinion of these saints, remember that Joseph is at the top of the ladder, at the head of the saints, the kings, the prophets, the patriarchs, that he is more faithful than Abraham, more obedient than Isaac, more generous than David, wiser than Solomon, in a word, as superior in grace as he is close to the source, Jesus sleeping in his arms.

— Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

SAINT JOSEPH IS A REFLECTION OF THE FATHER OF LIGHTS.

In the Letter of James, we read:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.

— Jas 1:17

In the beginning, God created the great luminaries in the heavens: the sun, the moon, and the stars. Without light, creation would be in darkness. In the New Testament, the Father establishes a new creation in Christ. Through Christ, the Father places his divine life, love, and light within our hearts. Saint Joseph and his fatherhood play a very important role in God’s wonderful plan. Saint Joseph is the perfect reflection of the Father of Lights, and he helps us to receive the light of Christ. Saint Joseph is a bearer of light. He brings Jesus, the true Light of the World, to us.

SAINT JOSEPH WILL HELP YOU LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF GOD.

You are a child of the light. As a Christian, Jesus gives you a share in his light.

He makes you the light of the world (see Mt 5:14-16).

All of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.

— 1 Thess 5:5

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.

— Eph 5:8-9

THE “LUMEN PATRIARCHARUM” TERRIFIES SATAN. In the Latin version of the Litany of St. Joseph, the title “Light of Patriarchs” appears as “Lumen Patriarcharum.” The Devil hates St. Joseph and his light. Satan’s other name is Lucifer, which means “light bearer.” Lucifer lost the light because of his pride and disobedience to God. Now, Satan lives in perpetual darkness and abhors the light. Satan fears your spiritual father because St. Joseph is a humble creature of flesh and blood, the perfect reflection of the Father of Lights. Saint Joseph is a true and everlasting light bearer, an icon of God the Father. After Jesus and Mary, there is no person that Satan detests more than St. Joseph. Stay close to St. Joseph and walk in the light!

I wish to extend a particular word of encouragement to fathers so that they may take St. Joseph as their model. He who kept watch over the Son of Man is able to teach them the deepest meaning of their own fatherhood.

— Pope Benedict XVI

Read “Ite ad Ioseph!”

Pray the Litany of St. Joseph

“Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Stockbridge, MA USA.”