The Month of March, which the Catholic Church traditionally dedicates to St. Joseph, is a great occasion to rediscover one of the most beautiful magisterial documents dedicated to the Adoptive Father of Jesus: Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer).
Pope St. John Paul II published Redemptoris Custos as an apostolic exhortation in August 1989 on the occasion of the centenary of the encyclical Quamquam pluries, in which Pope Leo XIII called for an increased devotion to St. Joseph, especially in the context of the changes brought about by industrialism.
Leo’s encyclical has been regarded as a turning point in the Church’s devotion to St. Joseph as protector of the Church, patron of families, and patron of workers.
But John Paul II’s exhortation was not only a commemoration of the century-old encyclical. It was also the completion of what has been called the sainted pope’s “Redemption” series. It started with the first encyclical of his pontificate, Redemptor Hominis (Redeemer of Men), in 1979, and followed with Redemptoris Mater (Mother of the Redeemer) in 1987.
The late Marianist Brother John Samaha, one of the top experts on St. Joseph in the United States, wrote in an essay pointing out that “a typical reaction often encountered is that the Gospel says Joseph was a just man.”
“What more can be said? Plenty!” Samaha wrote. He explained that in John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation, he “offered us a masterful explanation and reflection on the unique vocation of St. Joseph in God’s plan of salvation.”
“This inspirational pastoral letter,” Samaha continued, “treats the person and mission of St. Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church. It recalls what makes him special, not only for us personally, but also for the universal Church.”
The pope opened his apostolic letter by explaining that
I wish to offer for your consideration, dear brothers, and sisters, some reflections concerning him “into whose custody God entrusted his most precious treasures.” I gladly fulfill this pastoral duty so that all may grow in devotion to the Patron of the Universal Church and in love for the Savior whom he served in such an exemplary manner.
Dr. Marilyn Sunderman, RSM, chair of the on-campus Theology Department of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, offered a very readable summary of Redemptoris Custos in 2018, explaining briefly but substantially each one of its six chapters:
I. The Gospel Portrait
II. The Guardian of the Mystery of God (the longest and richer part of the document)
III. A Just Man – A Husband
IV. Work as an Expression of Love
V. The Primacy of the Interior Life
VI. Patron of the Church in Our Day
Sister Sunderman concluded that the document
marks a watershed moment in reflection on the role of St. Joseph in the history of Christianity. In this document, the Pope interweaves biblical exegesis and profound theological insights regarding Joseph’s pivotal role in God’s plan of salvation.
In an outstanding way, the Pope highlights St. Joseph as a loving father, faithful spouse, laborer, and patron of the universal Church. It is most fitting that the Pope concludes his exhortation with the following prayer: “May St. Joseph obtain for the Church and for the world, as well as for each of us, the blessing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Or in the words of lay Catholic journalist Aaron Lambert commenting on Redemptoris Custos:
In today’s world, the only rules people like to obey are their own, but Christians are called to something far more fulfilling. St. Joseph beautifully exemplifies how obedience to God’s will first and foremost is what bears the greatest fruits.
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