Have you ever heard of the devotion to “Sleeping St. Joseph”?
The Gospel tells us that St. Joseph was going to divorce Mary quietly after he learned that she was pregnant. But an angel of the Lord appeared to St. Joseph in a dream, telling him to not be afraid, that Mary would give birth to the Savior: Jesus Christ. God was entrusting Joseph with His greatest treasures: Mary and the Baby Jesus.
St. Joseph’s faithfulness to God’s will helped bring our Savior into the world. The image of St. Joseph as he’s sleeping is a powerful reminder of his peaceful surrender to God’s plan for his life.
Pope Francis owned a Sleeping St. Joseph statue and brought it with him from Argentina to the Vatican when he became pope. He explained that whenever he had a problem or special prayer, he wrote it down and placed it underneath the Sleeping St. Joseph.
Catholics around the world honor St. Joseph on his feast day (and always) as one who was close to the Blessed Mother and our Savior. Because Joseph was a man of many responsibilities (protector, provider, and craftsman), he has been entrusted with a wide range of patronages, and has become one of the most beloved saints of the Church.
In fact, St. Joseph is most famously the Patron of the Universal Church, but his reach extends into the very practical corners of our daily lives.
He is the patron of workers and carpenters: As a manual laborer, he is the model for the dignity of work.
He is the patron of fathers and families: He is the "Pillar of Families," looked to for guidance in domestic life and fatherhood.
He is the patron of a happy death: Because tradition holds that he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, he is the patron of a peaceful passing.
He is the patron of expectant mothers, for his role in protecting Mary during her pregnancy and the journey to Bethlehem.
He is the patron of travelers and immigrants: Recalling the Flight into Egypt, he is a protector of those seeking safety in foreign lands.
He is the patron of home sellers/buyers: A popular (and sometimes quirky) tradition involves his intercession in real estate.
We should always remember St. Joseph’s whole-hearted “yes” to God’s will, even when it wasn’t what he himself had planned or imagined. St. Joseph exemplifies total submission to God in the midst of uncertainty. The Sleeping St. Joseph statue helps us to remember we are trusting St. Joseph to intercede for us—and trusting that God will handle our problems while we rest.
Sleeping St. Joseph makes a wonderful Father's Day gift. Or purchase your own from The Catholic Company and write down prayer intentions to place under the statue before you sleep.
