Journeying with Joseph

Book excerpt: The essays in this very timely volume, each in its own way, journey with Joseph. The discerning reader will enjoy the richness and variety of Joseph's legacy as seen through the eyes of the writers, who bear the title Josephite and who generously share their knowledge, experience, reflection and prayer of this saint, whom Julian Tenison Woods calls 'the Prince of God's House who was among the poorest of men and hidden with Mary and Jesus' (4 September, 1887). Sister Lauretta Baker rsj, Congregational Leader, Sisters of St. Joseph, Lochinvar Who better than the Josephites to give us an "inside" look at the character who gave early shape to Jesus' Jewish life and spirituality. When Mary MacKillop and Julian Woods were establishing a new religious group in Australia, why did they turn to Joseph as their identity-marker? Human aspirations, Gospel verses, and ancient legends all met to sow the seeds that would flourish in this soil, and be known with respect and gratitude as "the Joeys." Professor Mary Coloe, pbvm. Yarra Theological Union, University of Divinity, Melbourne. It is often said that 'actions speak louder than words. In the case of St Joseph this is so true. With no recorded utterances in the Scriptures, we have only to rely on his deeds. Journeying with Joseph is a timely publication not only for the Year of St Joseph, but one which allows us to delve more deeply into how we might draw inspiration from him to follow more closely the path of being a missionary Disciple, in a world deeply affected by COVID. The net is cast well and wide when you survey the topics contained in this book, and these show that while St Joseph may not have spoken any words, his deeds were, and are, profound. Patrick O'Regan DD, Archbishop of Adelaide, (Josephite Companion).