As soon as I saw this title, I knew that I had to read this book. And I loved it so much that I bought it for several of my family members.

Paul Thigpen compiles this sacred life from the visions of Saint Bridget of Sweden, Servant of God Marina de Escobar, Venerable Mary of Agreda, Venerable Maria Cecilia Baij and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. The author treats it as a non-fictional exploration using the mystics as sources. It is not a scholarly presentation. That is to say, those who are looking for differences or side-by-side accounts presented by each of the mystics, or a commentary on them all, may be disappointed. The compilation blends the visions together into one voice in order to present a fluid account of the life of Saint Joseph from his childhood until his death. The author would be the first to say that these visions are not to be understood with the weight of a Gospel or historical fact; they are to be used as a devotional guide to fall deeper in love with the Holy Family, to see them as human – having struggles akin to or worse than ours. This book shows them living in poverty, even being homeless or starving at times; they are persecuted and rejected wherever they go.

Despite being the head of the Holy Family, Saint Joseph is a rather mysterious figure in the Bible. One of the few stories in Scripture about him is his decision to divorce Mary quietly, until an angel reassures him of her fidelity. The Bible includes this detail as proof of the Incarnation, which this book also shows. However, what this book adds is the backstory, detailing a significant cost to Saint Joseph. 

Throughout the book are countless examples of Saint Joseph’s self-sacrificing love. For instance, when it’s time for them to travel to Bethlehem, he starts out confident that some of his relatives will house Mary in her time of need. As we know from Scripture, this doesn’t happen. When Saint Joseph realizes that lodging is not actually available, he leaves Mary under a tree and travels the area for miles in a desperate attempt to find her shelter. He expresses deep embarrassment and humility at not being able to adequately provide for her. 

This book was beautifully written; it makes for an easy read. I highly recommend it to anyone devoted to Saint Joseph or the Holy Family. It would be a great companion text for the practice of Lectio Divina.  

Note: The Life of Saint Joseph as Seen by the Mystics serves as a companion book to The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics – another book that I absolutely love.