Uncommon

In fact, until recently I have been asking myself why the Church celebrates the feast of St. Joseph with the title 'St. Joseph, the Husband Mary'. It is not because of the inferiority of this husband being known by his wife's name, when women all over the world are known by their husband's name, or by their husband's family name, that I thought so. Rather, it is because I thought that to be Christocentric would be more appropriate. In other words to say 'Saint Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus'. However, I have recently come to realize that to say 'Saint Joseph, husband of Mary' is more profound. When I have written about Mary in the past, I have mentioned it: in the Mariological thought of the Church, Mary is more relevantly seen as a figure of the Church than an individual person. Mary is the personification of the Church. Looking at it that way, when we say St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary, we mean that Joseph is the patron and spouse of the Universal Church.

Joseph was a true revolutionary. He realized that all true revolutions must come from a change in his own attitude.

Joseph was a true feminist. One who respected equality and celebrated women's freedom.

Joseph was a good human rights activist. He realized that going underground was more effective a political strategy than confrontation.

Joseph was a man who had a hunger and thirst for justice. One who realized that even above justice is mercy.

Joseph was a true spiritualist. One who was vigilant in sleep and active in awakenness.