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29 ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER | THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH Delight of SaintS St. Joseph has been revered by many saints throughout the ages. They all attest to the power of devotion to him and their delight in praying for his intercession. Virginal father of JeSuS Just as the Church teaches that Mary was a perpetual virgin, it can be surmised that St. Joseph, too, remained a virgin all his life. He safeguarded both Mary's and his own virtue for the sake of their son. aDorer of Chr iSt St. Joseph raised Jesus and lived with him for 30 years. He lived in perpetual adoration of the Savior of the World. Wherever he traveled with Jesus and Mary, their home became an adoration chapel. terror of DemonS Demons fear St. Joseph. He terrorizes Satan and all of his minions through his virtue and all of the other wonders he epitomizes. St. Joseph is a dragon slayer! ou r Spir itual father St. Joseph was declared patron of the universal church in 1870. Just as Mary is the spiritual mother of the Church, St. Joseph is the spiritual father of the Church. JuSt a nD r eVerent m a n Through his actions, whether it be seeking to quietly divorce Mary to maintain her dignity or serving as the foster-father of the Son of God, St. Joseph embodied perfect justice and reverence throughout his life. Silent WitneS S St. Joseph spoke not a single word in the Gospels, yet he was witness to the miraculous lives of Jesus and Mary. Even in sleep, St. Joseph's intercession contains immense power. You ng huSba nD of m arY While the Church has no official teaching on the age of St. Joseph, it is likely that St. Joseph was not the old man that many pieces of classical art depict him as. In fact, in being depicted as a younger man, his heroic sacrifices and virtues shine through all the more. SaVior of the SaVior When King Herod sent out his soldiers to kill every newborn baby in the land upon hearing news of Jesus' birth, St. Joseph didn't hesitate to scoop up his wife and child in the middle of the night and make the long journey to safety in Egypt. Simply put, he protected Jesus and Mary with his life. patron of a happY Death Mystics have seen visions of St. Joseph dying peacefully with Jesus and Mary at his side. In his holiness, it has even been speculated that St. Joseph was assumed into Heaven. St. Joseph spent his life in sacrificial love for Jesus and Mary, and on his deathbed, God allowed him to die happily. St. Joseph's other titles Light of Patriarchs Chaste Guardian of the Virgin Zealous Defender of Christ Mirror of Patience Lover of Poverty Model of Workmen Glory of Domestic Life Guardian of Virgins Pillar of Families Comfort of the Afflicted Hope of the Sick Protector of the Holy Church