St. Joseph: The Pillar of Faith and Protector of Families

Introduction – St Joseph a very silent character in the Bible (NT) has been named the patron of the Universal Church. He is known as the guardian of the Christian religion as he was the guardian of Jesus Christ and the protector and defender of the Church, which is truly the Lord’s house and the kingdom of God on earth. In the gospels he is mentioned by only two of the evangelists. We are familiar with those incidents in the gospels in which St Joseph plays a vital part. We find him in the narrative of Nativity, the flight into Egypt, the presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple, and the finding of the Boy Jesus in the temple after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It is true that we know very little about him. St. Joseph never speaks. Yet the obscurity of his life hides a great and holy mystery, with his immeasurable faith and love he effaced himself completely in the service of Jesus and the Blessed virgin. His life was to live for them, he chose no other goal. This was the office that God assigned to him, though it was hidden from men’s eyes it was of the highest dignity and importance, for he was entrusted with the care of God’s beloved maiden Mary and was to stand in the place of “Father” to God’s own Son. Did anyone ever have such a privilege? It is Good for us to think about this person. St. Joseph and understand how well he lived up to God’s demands to become the Pillar of Faith and Protector of Families.

Who was ST. JOSEPH?

St. Joseph was born in Bethlehem, Israel around 100 B.C. He was a son of David in the line of the great King David who had reigned some 1000 years before, and whose descendants had sat on the throne of Israel and then Judah for 400 years. St. Joseph was a righteous man. He knew the law that the Lord God had given to his people. He wanted to follow it, do what was right and just towards God and other people, to do good and holy. He was betrothed to Mary a very good and holy young woman.

At that time, he might have been a young, energetic and just getting started in life or may have been an older man, a widower, with some number of sons and daughters who would be known as the brothers and sisters of Jesus. St. Joseph was a carpenter (Matt. 13:55) skilled at working with wood a craftsman who worked not only in the wood but with stone, iron and brass and was able to make variety of things needed in the home or on the farm. He was hardworking an excellent strong man who supported his family. He lived a life walking the right path, honoring God and loving his neighbor, with Mary as his wife.

ST JOSEPH: Pillar of Faith

To become a pillar of faith there needs to be three specific qualities such as:
1. Trust in God’s plan,
2. Courage in the Face of Adversity,
3. Model of Christian Living.

At the Annunciation St. Joseph’s faith was tested when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy, but he remained faithful and obedient to God’s will. At the Flight into Egypt Joseph’s faith was again tested, he was forced to flee with his family to protect the child Jesus,
St. Joseph trusted in God’s protection and provision. In the silent obedience of Joseph his faith was demonstrated as he listened to God’s voice and followed His will without question or complaint.

St. Joseph was a man of firmness and strength to be in charge of things, to be wage earner and head of his household. He was capable of quick decision and forceful action when the occasion demanded it. But most of all he was rich in faith and believed without hesitation, the strange and wonderful things God would reveal to him and perfectly obeyed to carry out the directions God gave as when the Angel told him to flee with his family to Egypt.

ST JOSEPH: The Protector of Families

  1. Protection of divine secrets/mysteries
  2. Protection in worldly sense.
  3. Protection of divine secrets/mysteries- In the designs of God, the mystery of the Incarnation was to be hidden from the world until Christ himself would reveal it in his public life.
    The Gospels show that Joseph was married to Mary – a true marriage. Thus, he could protect Mary’s virginity and hide the secrets of its divine fruitfulness and thus could serve as earthly father to her divine child providing care, and nurture with all the needs, and kept veiled the mystery of his appearance among men.
  4. Protection in worldly sense – St Joseph cared for the Holy Family by ensuring their safety and well-being. He executed the role of a guardian of the family. He also served as a provider for the physical and emotional needs of his family, demonstrating the importance of paternal love and care. We have three striking characteristics in St Joseph that make him the true patron as the protector of Families,
    i. Selflessness or sacrifice that puts the needs of his family before his own.
    ii. Courage in the face of adversity, protecting his family from harm and danger.
    iii. Loving care- Providing for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.So, the holy church has raised him to be the patron of Families, seeking his protection and guidance in times of need, Protector of marriage, helping couples to build strong loving relationships and intercessor for his children, protecting them from harm and guiding them on their life’s journey.

    As Religious- what do we learn from St Joseph’s faith journey? His faith teaches us to trust in God’s plan even when faced with uncertainty and don’t fully understand it. His perseverance and unwavering commitment to his faith, encourage us to persevere in our faith journey, despite challenges and difficulties. His silence reminds us to listen to God’s voice and follow his will. St Joseph never doubted the divinity of Jesus or his power to conquer evil. St Joseph knew Jesus was God. He adored our Lord in the cradle, in the home in Nazareth, in the Temple in Jerusalem and as a grown man in his workshop, St Joseph was always aware that in seeing Jesus he was gazing upon God Almighty, St Joseph showed an unrelenting commitment to his faith, his family and his community.
    This makes us reflect a few questions for ourselves-
    1. How can I demonstrate unwavering trust in God’s Plan, like St Joseph
    2. What challenges and difficulties am I facing in my own faith journey and how can I persevere like St. Joseph
    3. Do I listen more attentively to God’s voice and follow his will, rather than my own desires and plans? *

    St Joseph protector of Families Pray for us.

Mother Mary Michael of the Redemption (1860-1926)

Mother Michael was our first Mother General. Elected in 1908, this first architect of our Congregation, established her foundations with steadfast courage and great patience despite lack of personnel and funds, the first one at Anjengo (1916), the next at Santacruz (1922) followed by another at Neyyatinkara (1926) and the last one at Karwar (1926) where she was called to her heavenly abode. She was at the helm from 1908 to 1926.
With a heart of gold, intrepid spirit and the virtue of a saint, Mother M. Michael proved herself a skilled captain steering the ship of the infant Congregation through stormy waters and safely to harbour, with firm faith and confidence in God. She had the satisfaction of seeing the Congregation firmly established.

Every moment of her life was characterized by the spirit of humility, simplicity and charity to the poor, the sick and the orphaned. God accepted every sacrifice made by Mother M. Michael for the sake of the Congregation she loved so well and served so nobly – even the supreme sacrifice of dying and being interred far from her beloved daughters in Mangalore

Rev. Mother Mary Archange of the Sacred Heart (1879-1944)

Mother Archange, our second Mother General was trained by Mother Mary Elias of Jesus at Ypres in Belgium. Her great and loving heart was ever open to all and she devoted her life especially to the poor and needy in the missions in India. Concentrating on prayer and spirituality she used her talents in God’s service, to draw her Sisters nearer to God. The sentiments voiced by an English lady, D. H. Watts, an ex-student of Holy Angels’ School capture Mother’s beautiful personality. “With spiritual qualities she combined an intellect, disciplined by reading of the literature of more than one country, the intuition and receptivity of an accomplished musician and artist, a talent for organization and reaching straight to the heart of things and understanding our human frailty. Hers was the all- embracing charity, which Christ ranked above all other virtues.”
An outstanding educationist, blessed with generosity and greatness of heart, she was also an ardent lover of nature. Her sincerity and straight-forwardness, her culture and refinement, her foresight and zeal, her love for the Church and the Congregation did much to lead the Sisters along the path of progress. Mother Archange was Mother General from 1926-1944.

Rev. Mother Mary Louise of the Holy Angels (1882-1981)

A towering personality, Mother M. Louise our third Mother General infused in her daughters a deep Carmelite Spirituality. Mother incessantly endeavoured to instill in her daughters, by example more than by precept, a love for prayer and the interior life even while engaged in the active apostolate of teaching, caring for the destitute and orphans.

A good helmsman, Mother M. Louise was steadfast in spirit, sturdy of heart and steady of purpose, both spiritually and morally. Her virtue was genuine and truly heroic. The light of the Holy Spirit, a guiding star all through her life, infused into Mother prudence, tact and discretion.
Mother’s term from 1944 to1975 was an era of expansion, progress and change for the Congregation. During her term the Congregation was declared a Pontifical Religious Institute in 1950 and the brown Carmelite habit was changed to white. The vestition ceremony was replaced by the Rite of Initiation into the Religious Life. Foundations increased in countries outside India.

Rev. Mother Mary Angela of the Resurrection (1916 - 1995)

Mother Angela, our fourth Mother General was a gracious and elegant person who steered the Congregation to great heights. As a leader, she was strikingly superior in every respect first as Secretary General, as Councillor and later as Mother General. With authority, fervent energy and an irresistible urge for perfection, she forged ahead, fostering unity and ensuring that the Sisters did their best.

A pioneer in many ways Mother started a New Novitiate in Pune due to the increase in the number of Aspirants during her time. Sisters were sent abroad for studies. Twenty-three Convents were started both in India and outside. Mother offered the services of our Congregation to the International Church in Rome – Collegio Missionaries Internazionale San Paolo Apostolo. The All Saints’ College was her biggest enterprise in the field of education. The Congregation was divided into four Regions for better administration and support as it had grown considerably during her tenure. Regional delegates were appointed and the code of governance given.

Her commanding personality impressed one and all. A tower of strength and spirituality, her kindness, generosity, beneficence and munificence was unparalleled. Seminarians, Institutions, hospitals, families, several spiritual and social enterprises like the Home for the Aged were funded by her and even strangers benefited. With her charming smile, polite demeanour and the softness and warmth of a mother, she endeared herself to everyone.

Mother was at the helm for twenty years from 1975 to 1995. She was a beacon light to the coming generations, the dreamer and shaper of the Congregation’s destiny.

Rev. Mother Mary Frances of Holy Mary (1946)

Mother M. Frances, the fifth Mother General focused on development and renewal. She urged the sisters to update their knowledge in Theology, Biblical studies, academics and other professional courses. Her approach to renewal was to overhaul Formation and instill a deep Carmelite spirituality and love for the interior life even while being engaged in an active apostolate. Her simple, charming, humble and humane personality won the hearts of all who interacted with her. Her love for nature was phenomenal and she completely changed the landscape of All Saints’ College during her time as Principal. A seasoned orator she could hold an audience spellbound as she spoke. The highlights of her tenure were the shifting of the Generalate to the serene campus of the All-Saints’ College, organization of Provinces and the Revision of the Constitutions and Directives. Though faced with many challenges, Mother Frances forged ahead valiantly to open new convents in Assam, the United States of America and Africa.

Rev. Mother Mary Elma (1952)

Mother Mary Elma, the sixth Mother General, with deep faith and trust in God, accepted the role of Superior General, knowing that He who chose her would guide her all through. She worked zealously and sincerely for strengthening and developing the existing institutions. Prior to this Sister Elma was in the Formation team and thereafter she was elected Provincial of the Kerala Province. In her early days she was sent to Africa, where she worked whole heartedly in that mission. She was very sensitive to the needs and did her best to keep the boys cheerful and happy.

Soft spoken, calm and serene, with her gentle smile and sparkling wit, she added joy to the sisters on her rounds to the various convents, advising them to use freedom with responsibility.

Sr. M. Elma forged ahead with great fidelity to duty, firm in the assurance that God watched over her, leading her to guide the Congregation to green pastures.

Rev. Mother Mary Frances of Holy Mary (re - elected in May 2017)

A golden jubilarian in her religious life Mother M. Frances, the seventh Mother General bears the stamp of a sagacious, enterprising and dynamic leader. An astute visionary, an amazing organizer, a prayerful guide blessed with wisdom, prudence and efficiency beyond her years, her tenure marks the significant growth of the Congregation. She began her apostolate as a Professor in English at All Saints’ College, Trivandrum, teaching students at the UG and PG levels, instilling in them a love for the language. A gifted educator, her inspiring presence touched numerous young minds. As Principal in the same prestigious Institution, she renewed the infrastructure and led the Institution to lofty heights of excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities. From sandy dunes to a beautiful clean verdant paradise, the astounding transformation of the campus bears testimony to Mother’s ingrained love for nature and a deep concern for the ecology. Today as its Corporate Manager, she spearheads the move to revamp and re-energise the Institution in its march towards the future.

As Superior General for two and a half terms from 1996-2011, she shepherded the Congregation through its transitional phase which witnessed the decentralisation of power and the formation of Provinces. Blessed with innate humanity, a responsive heart, golden eloquence and wide contacts Mother is well known and loved. Re-elected in 2017, she leads the Congregation into the future, bestowed with grace, turning vision into reality.

Sr Molly Attully CCR

Superior General

An endearing personality blessed with a compassionate heart, Sr. Molly touched the lives of many as a Teacher and Head of Institutions in
  • Maria Assumpta Convent, Kashipur
  • Queen of Angels Convent H.S.S, Baruch, Gujarat.
  • Sacred Heart Convent H.S.S Mathura, U.P.
  • Lecturer in St. Teresa’s Institute of Education, Mumbai.
  • Holy Angels Convent H.S.S Trivandrum.
  • Elected General Councillor for Education and Mission in 2011
  • Re-elected as in 2017 as Assistant Superior General and was in charge of Spirituality and ongoing Formation.
  • In 2023 elected as the Superior General.

Sr Paulina I V CCR

General Councillor of Formation and Vocation Promotion

– Served as a Teacher, Headmistress and Animator.

– Councillor to the Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2014- 2017.

– Vocation Promotor and Formator of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune.

– In 2023 elected as the General Councillor for Formation.

Sr Mary M M CCR

General Councillor of of Finance

– Served as a Teacher, Headmistress and Animator of Communities.

– Provincial Councillor of St. Therese’s Province, Kerala for Education and Mission from 2008- 2011.

– Elected as the Provincial Superior of St. Therese’s Province, Kerala from 2011- 2017.

– In 2017 elected as the General Councillor and in 2023 re-elected as the General Councillor for Finance.

Sr Clare D’Souza CCR

General Councillor of Education and Social Apostolate

– Served as a Teacher and Principal.

– Provincial Councillor of St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai from 2006 – 2014.

– Provincial Superior for the St. Teresa’s Province, Mumbai from 2014- 2021.

– Elected as the 2nd General Councillor in 2023.

Sr Philda Varghese CCR

General Councillor of Spirituality and Ongoing Formation

– Served as a Teacher, Assistant Headmistress and Animator of the community.

– Assistant Provincial of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2014- 2017.

– Provincial Superior of St. Joseph’s Province, Pune from 2017- 2023.

– In 2023 elected as the Assistant Superior General.

Sr Mary Carmel CCR

Secretary General

Served as a teacher in:

  • Infant Jesus Convent ISC School, Murukkumpuzha, Kerala.
  • Rosa Mystica Convent School, Kamalapuram, Telangana.
  • St. Teresa’s Secondary School, Mbooni, Kenya, East Africa.
  • Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.

Assistant Headmistress at Tassia Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Nairobi, Kenya.

Animator at Little Flower Convent, Nairobi, Kenya.

Appointed as General Secretary in 2023.

Sr Teresa Joseph CCR

Bursar General

Primary Teacher & Office Administrator,

St. Paul’s Convent School, Dadar

Assistant Teacher:

  • St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Jalgaon (1996 – 1998)
  • St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Khadki, Pune (1998 – 2007)

Secretary to the Provincial Superior (2007 – 2008)

Provincial Councillor in charge of Finance (2008 – 2014)

Principal, St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Khadki (2010 – 2022)

Provincial Bursar (2014 – 2017)

Animator – in Wagholi for one year. 2022- 2023

General Bursar (2023 – Present)