Why are Mary and St Joseph not equally honored?

I get Mary’s “yes” allowed Jesus to come into this world, but lets not forget that it was just as much Joseph’s “yes” that allowed it too. If Joseph had said no, he could have had Mary stoned to death for being pregnant outside of marriage, yet we only really honor her “yes”?

The Church knows who St Mary is and the part She played in our salvation. Without expounding upon Her accolades, if you learn more about Her its easier understand what She is to us. Her humility is her greatest attribute. We can’t imagine the intimacy She had with God and her pain and sufferings all offered to God for the salvation of souls, our souls.

AND we honor St. Joseph in a special way… HE had a very special part to play. AND listen, SO DO WE. WE have no idea how important our own role is in God’s plan of salvation… That to me is an AWESOME thought. Not in a prideful way, but in a humble accepting way. We will only know when it’s all over but the shouting! Praise the Father for HIS love for us!

There was never a moment when Mary existed that she did not please God. She is God’s perfect creation. The same cannot be said of St Joseph.

Blessed Mary is the Mother of God. As such she was the earthly tabernacle of our Lord for nine months. Her genetic material was chosen by God to be His genetic material. The same cannot be said for St. Joseph. Of course the Lord’s adopted father is highly venerated in the Church, but he’s not the literal Theotokos (God-bearer) like St. Mary. Additionally the Church teaches that Mary was immaculately convinced, assumed body and soul into heaven, crowned Queen of heaven, and preserved in her virginity her entire life. The Church does not teach these things about St. Joseph.

Wait, St Joseph didnt preserve in virginity?

Tradition holds very strongly that he did, though it is not officially taught by the Church.

This. But of course one explanation for Scripture’s discussion of Jesus’ brothers and sisters is a theory that St. Joseph was a widower who had children in a previous marriage, ergo not ever-virgin. This is of course only a theory, the Church does not teach he was or was not ever-virgin.

God created men and woman equal; different, but equal. Joseph did have original sin unlike BVM Mary … But he had more encounters with angels than Mary. It is said (unconfirmed) that he died in the arms of Mary & Jesus; I couldn’t ask for more!!!

Have you made a daily devotion to the litany of St Joseph? He has amazing titles like “protector of the Church”, “Terror of Demond’s”, “noble son of the house of David”, “faithful guardian of Christ”, “Joseph most obedient”, “Patteron of patience”, “model of workers”, “example to parents”, “patron of the dying” <whole thing: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/joseph.htm>

St Joseph has two feast days: March 19 & May 1 ( BVM Mary has 3 )

There is a St Joseph Chapulet. prayers.viarosa.com/StJoseph_Chaplet.html

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

This prayer was found in the fiftienth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death, or be drowned, not shall posion take effect of them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy; or shall be burned in any fire, or shall be overpowered in battle.

It may be that St Joseph is honored … But that you need to learn how to honor Him more in your life.

All human beings are equally valued. Not all human beings are equally honored; the reason we pay special attention to Mary is the same reason why you would pay more attention to your earthly mother than you would pay attention to a buddy at your parish. Your buddy at your parish isn’t less human than your mom, but you have a special & unique relationship with your parents. It would be socially awkward if you commemorated your buddy before commemorating your mother (assuming you’re not somehow ostracized from one another).

St Joseph is our brother. St Peter is our brother. St Mary Magdalene is our sister. Etc. Mary is our mother by covenant.

Jesus has 1/2 of Mary’s DNA. Also, she carried our Lord inside of her (in, I’d say, a prefigurement of the Eucharist).

Joseph, great great saint that he is, can say neither.:wink:

St Joseph is honored perhaps more than any other Saint except Mary.

Most (if not all) Catholic Churches have a statue of Joseph. His name is mentioned during the Mass. He has two Feast Days (one of which is a Holy Day of Obligation at the Vatican and in some other countries)., etc.

I don’t think its that the Church doesn’t honor him. But perhaps the Faithful doesn’t give him the attention he deserves?

God Bless

Mary was part of the divine plan from the start. She was born without sin and was chosen by God to be the mother of His beloved Son. Mary throughout Her life was a very humble servant of God and when Jesus was suffering during His bitter passion Mary was present “Her soul was pierced as though by a sword”. Look at the mysteries of the rosary, Mary was present during most important parts of Jesus’ life and not forgetting on the cross Jesus gave Her to us as our mother. I’m not saying Saint Joseph isn’t important but Mary is the mother of Jesus and our holy mother who is the key to Jesus and is constantly trying to secure us eternal life.

Very true :thumbsup:

This is very much like the argument of who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

However, St. Joseph, more than ANYONE, understood the awesome dignity and honor that was attached to his spouse the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Not to mention his insight into her profound purity and holiness. I would suggest praying to St. Joseph to understand (as he certainly did) the sublime importance of the Mother of God. St. Joseph would not want ANYONE equating his status with his Beloved Spouse’s. He loved and protected her virtue and honor, by God’s special providence. He was more than up to such an incredible task by virtue of his own holiness and love.

As much as I am devoted to St. Joseph, it has increased my love of the BVM. To venerate his spouse is most agreeable to this amazing Saint! By doing this, you unite your heart with his.

Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. She is special and unique. Joseph is deserving of much praise, but Mary held God Himself inside her, was His tabernacle, and gave birth to Him.

Does Jesus have Mary’s DNA or did the Holy Spirit have unique DNA that allowed Jesus to be fully God and fully man … Or was BVM Mary’s DNA transformed at her holy and immaculate conception ?

Mary was present throughout Jesus’ life. The apostles knew Mary. She was at the cross, at the wedding at cana, at pentacost. Joseph was unknown to all and missing from all these events.

Mary was immaculate, mother of the Church, etc.

I do have a special devotion and love of Joseph, but he is no Mary.

He is cool, but she is a celeb. :slight_smile:

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Yes! THIS is what I wanted to say!!!
Thank you!

You can’t separate the HOLY FAMILY!!!
Trying to call favorites is the devil’s work… IMHO