Joseph the Terror of Demons

By Jonathan Francis

In 1917, in a little village in Portugal, three small children were playing games in a field, building castles out of rock while tending the family sheep. Suddenly they saw a flash of light. Believing it to be lightning, they gathered the sheep and ran home. While rushing home, they saw a Lady standing over a small tree, dressed in white and more brilliant than the sun.

The oldest of the three children, Lucia, who was 9 years old, asked her where she came from, to which the Lady responded, “I come from Heaven.” The Lady went on to say, “I come to ask you to come here for six months in succession, on the thirteenth day at this same hour. Then I will tell you who I am, and what I want.”

Many of us are familiar with the Church-approved apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. As promised, Our Lady appeared to the children for six consecutive months, warning them of the harm we inflict upon ourselves as a result of our sins: wars, plagues, persecution of the Church, and the loss of many souls in Hell. Then, on October 13, 1917, during the final apparition, Our Lady revealed her name in response to Lucia’s question: “I am the Lady of the Rosary.”

Though we’re familiar with the story, a major detail is often overlooked. Did you know that Saint Joseph also appeared to the children?

During the final apparition, as Our Lady ascended from the children’s sight, they saw in the sky three visions of the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Then they saw the Holy Family with Saint Joseph and the Infant Jesus blessing the world three times.

Head of the Holy Family

What a powerful image! Saint Joseph holds the infant Christ in his arms, as they simultaneously bless the world. All three children testified he was there, but why is it relevant? Perhaps because God knew what would happen later in the century, that is, the attack on the family.

Later in her life, Sr. Lucia dos Santos, the longest-lived visionary of the Fatima apparitions, wrote, “The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family.” Isn’t it obvious that we’re in the midst of that battle right now?

In this era more than any other, the family is under attack. People are confused about what it means to be a male, female, or what marriage actually is. Our governments are redefining both marriage and families. We are in desperate need of the example of the Holy Family and spiritual fatherhood of Saint Joseph.

Provider for the Son of God

If you were asked to imagine Saint Joseph, how would you describe him? Perhaps as many others would—a quiet old man who reluctantly took Mary as his spouse and was not very involved in the life of Jesus or his salvific plan for us.

One reason for this is because we’ve often seen Saint Joseph depicted in art as an elderly man resembling a grandfather. However, the Catholic Church has never taught this. Many of the writings saying that he was three times the age of Mary come from apocryphal literature with doubtful authenticity.

Fr. Donald Calloway, author of Consecration of Saint Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father, challenges this by saying, “It makes a lot of sense that he would have been younger. The things that were required of him, the journey to Egypt, the working, the modeling of man-hood for Jesus as he grew. He was what’s called a Tecton, which means a carpenter and stonemason. He was a healthy, strong man and he needed to be for what was required of him.”

Now we have a new image of Saint Joseph, a strong stoneworker, and builder with the vigor required to make a cross country trip while caring for a pregnant Mary. A fitting image for the “Provider for the Son of God.”

In his letter, Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer), St. John Paul II writes, “Inspired by the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church from the earliest centuries stressed that just as Saint Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ’s upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Mystical Body, that is, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model.”

He goes on to write, “In this way the whole Christian people not only will turn to Saint Joseph with greater fervor and invoke his patronage with trust, but also will always keep before their eyes his humble, mature way of serving and of ‘taking part’ in the plan of salvation.”

Terror of Demons

In the official Litany of Saint Joseph, one of his many titles is, “Terror of Demons.” He’s called this because we believe he can intercede and petition for us to God in ways others cannot.

“Only two people can say this prayer, ‘My Jesus, my Savior, and my Son.’ It’s not you and I, it’s Mary and Joseph. When Jesus hears those words—a petition from his Mother or Saint Joseph, consider it done,” says Fr. Calloway. The devil knows the paternal intercessory power of Saint Joseph and will flee at the very mention of his name.

So, let us go to Saint Joseph! Go to him with all your needs, struggles, and hardships. He is the model Father. Although the Year of Saint Joseph declared by Pope Francis officially comes to an end on December 8, it’s never too late to ask for his help. Along with the rosary, he is a powerful spiritual weapon to bring to the battle for the family. Let us pray the rosary daily and turn to the powerful and mighty “Terror of Demons,” the great Saint Joseph.

Jonathan Francis is the communications and safety environment director for the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle.