St. Joseph, Guardian of Jesus, Lead Us to Your Son

“Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you!” — Gen 41:55

Two years ago, I consecrated myself to Jesus through St. Joseph. Getting to know St. Joseph on that consecration journey was truly amazing. I have always been in love with our Blessed Mother, but I was not very close to her spouse. Papa Joseph, as I began to refer to him after my consecration, was more than a stepfather to Jesus. He was His earthly father who taught Him how to be a Good Man, a Hard Worker, an Obedient Son, and who helped to prepare Him for His mission. Papa Joseph never took any credit. He always stayed in the background, giving all the attention to our Blessed Mother and His Son. But what an important role he played in their life. God chose him specifically for the mission to protect and guide Jesus and Mama Mary. He protected them in Bethlehem, in Egypt, in Nazareth, and in Jerusalem. He was not around physically for Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection, but I have no doubt that he was very present spiritually. I know that he has a very special place in Heaven next to His Son.

Papa Joseph reminds me of my own stepfather, who played such an important role in my formation, both spiritual and intellectual. Just like St. Joseph, my stepdad was a quiet man, very humble, who stayed away from the limelight and who adored both my mom and me. I am the woman I am today because of him. He also always knew that he was not my real father and never allowed me to forget who my real father was, even though I was separated from him for 25 years. St. Joseph also knew that God was Jesus’ real father, and he always took a step back to allow God to be the One to lead.

In the process of consecrating myself to St. Joseph, I also got to know a pretty amazing priest. Father Donald H. Calloway is the priest that guided me and a group of fellow pilgrims on our consecration. He wrote the book: “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of our Spiritual Father.” He also accompanies the books with videos that he recorded back in 2020 when he led a live consecration. And in addition to doing the Consecration, I read Father Calloway’s conversion story in his book “No Turning Back.” It was like reading a mini-version of St. Augustine’s conversion story. His mother was another St. Monica who never gave up in praying for her son. My favorite part of the book is when Father Calloway realizes, the first time he attended mass at the age of 20, that the “little white circle” that the priest was holding was Jesus:

“I knew immediately that this was Holy Communion — that this was the Blessed Sacrament, and I was in the presence of God. I understood that God is so in love with mankind that He comes and makes Himself present in extreme humility — in what looks to be a little piece of bread. Except it’s not bread anymore. It’s a miracle. It’s Jesus!”

One of the things that I found most inspiring is the connection of St. Joseph to the Eucharist. Father Calloway compares St. Joseph to Joseph of Egypt from the Old Testament. The story of that Joseph is well known. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ends up in Egypt. Pharaoh puts him in charge of all the granaries in Egypt after Joseph tells Pharaoh that there will be seven years of famine. “Joseph collected grain like the sands of the sea, so much that at last he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.” Gen 41:49

St. Joseph also ends up in Egypt after being warned by an angel in a dream that he must flee in order to save the baby Jesus from being killed by Herod. St. Joseph protected and preserved the Bread of Life for us. Without St. Joseph, we would not have the Living Bread of the Eucharist. Mary kneaded the dough in her sacred womb; St. Joseph lovingly preserved the Bread in Egypt. He made it possible for all his children to receive the Bread of Everlasting Life. According to Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, St. Joseph is still charged with guarding the Living Bread. He continues to guard and preserve the Bread of Life in every tabernacle in the world.

According to Father Calloway, St. Joseph also established the very first Adoration chapel in Bethlehem. Think about that and just be amazed. “Saint Joseph went in haste with Mary to Bethlehem, which means ‘house of bread,’ so that the bread of eternal life might be born there.” — Venerable Joseph Mindszenty. “How fitting it is that the first public exposition of the Living Bread from Heaven took place in Bethlehem.”

I visited Bethlehem in 2018, and I learned that Bethlehem meant “house of bread,” but truly, I had never made the connection to the Eucharist. It makes sense, though. The Eucharist is the living bread. During the transubstantiation, a piece of plain bread becomes the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. And that Bread was born in the “house of bread.”

In his book, Father Calloway points out that “The first Adoration chapel was visited by local shepherds, followed closely by Wise Men who came from a distant land to pay homage to the newborn God-King.” Today, the Adoration chapels are open to anyone, and yet, many times, they are empty. “Mary, God’s tabernacle, is replicated in every tabernacle in a Catholic church. What is often missing in front of these tabernacles, however, are souls who resemble St. Joseph — souls who adore Jesus present and hidden in the tabernacle. The Church needs more people like St. Joseph,” says Father Calloway.

The Joseph of the Old Testament became the guardian of the bread in Egypt, and St. Joseph became the guardian of the Eucharist. St. Joseph’s Heavenly Bread is more numerous than the sands of the sea. This Heavenly Bread is able to feed all the multitudes and satisfy every soul. Thanks to St. Joseph, we have the bread of life today.

It was an honor to get to know Papa Joseph through the eyes of Father Calloway back in 2024. Now, I am about to start a 33-day journey to renew my consecration. If you would like to consecrate yourself to Jesus through St. Joseph, and in the process get to know this amazing saint personally, I am inviting you to join me in this spiritual journey. The next consecration begins on Sunday, February 15th. You can sign up at:

www.consecrati.com

You will learn that you have a father in heaven who loves you, protects you, and guides you to Jesus. Papa Joseph, lead us to your Son.