A Rosary for St. Joseph

The Rosary is a wonderful meditation on the life of Christ. It takes us through the joyful mysteries of his announcement and birth, to sorrowful thoughts of his passion, and finishes with glorious reflections on resurrection and heaven.

Recently, Luminous Mysteries have been added. These include the Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Gospel, the Transfiguration, and the Eucharist.

Jesus and Mary rightly deserve to be the primary focus of the Rosary. Yet, in this day and age, when so many families are fragmented for various reasons, it might be appropriate to include the Holy Family’s hidden years—thirty of them. To do this it might be helpful to reflect on the patriarch of the family, the man who is husband, father, breadwinner, and protector. Like so many husbands and fathers, strength of virtue embraces tenderness, courage, and lots of hard work. If the Holy Family was strong, it is because Joseph was strong.

Here then are some ideas that form a new series of mysteries of the Rosary that honor St. Joseph.

First Mystery: Joseph is betrothed to Mary

A young man falls in love with a beautiful virgin. He is engaged in the traditional Hebrew ceremony, which lasts a week or more. Joy is balanced against obedience—an established man betrothed to a young virgin who had vowed herself to God. The loveliest woman on earth is ready to share her perfect chastity with an equally chaste spouse.

Second Mystery: Joseph takes Mary into his home

Picture the delighted husband carrying his wife across the threshold. Fear about the child that is not his is now gone, thanks to the angel's message. Joseph joyfully shares his warm home, his carpenter shop, his dreams for the future with his pregnant Mary ready to protect and provide.

Third Mystery: Joseph Starts a New Life

The man faithful to the law endures the terrors in Bethlehem. Equally faithful to the call of God, he flees into Egypt. Like so many men who have to change jobs or job locations, Joseph must bring his little family to a strange land with a strange language and re-start his carpentry business, changing the styles to fit his Egyptian customers. In those early years he must protect Mary and Jesus and help them adjust to being away from home.

Fourth Mystery: Joseph Brings his Family to Nazareth

Think of the joy the Holy Family experiences in coming home to settle in Nazareth. The little carpenter shop soon is not just a workshop, it is a school where Jesus learns his father’s trade. There Mary, now safely among family can cook, keep house, tend her garden, and make clothes for her two charges. What delight to spend many years in the company of so virtuous a man as Joseph.

Fifth Mystery: Joseph Dies in the Arms of Jesus and Mary

According to tradition, Joseph was not present at the crucifixion. Instead, before those terrible days arrived, he died peacefully with Jesus and Mary at his side, thus becoming the Patron of a Happy Death. Let us reflect on the peace and joy of dying in the arms of Jesus and Mary.