Discovering the Life and Legacy of Saint Joseph (+ Lesson Plan)

St Joseph


Saint Joseph was a man who lived a long time ago, in a place called Palestine. He was a carpenter, which meant he made things out of wood. He was also a very religious man and believed in God very strongly. One of the most important things about Saint Joseph is that he was the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus.

Mary and Joseph were not married for very long when they found out that Mary was going to have a baby. But, it was not just any baby, it was a very special baby. An angel came to Mary and told her that the baby she was going to have was the Son of God. Mary was very happy and excited about this news, but Joseph was a little bit confused. He didn't understand how this could be possible. But, the angel came to him too and told him that he should not be afraid, that this baby was going to be very special.

After the angel's visit, Joseph did as he was told and took Mary and the baby Jesus to Bethlehem, where they had to go to be counted in a special census. When they got there, they couldn't find a place to stay, so they ended up in a stable, where Jesus was born. After Jesus was born, some shepherds came to see him, because they had also been visited by an angel who told them where to find the baby.

After Jesus was born, King Herod was worried that the baby might be a threat to his power, so he ordered all the baby boys in Bethlehem to be killed. But, an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus and go to Egypt. So, Joseph did as he was told and took his family to Egypt, where they stayed for a while until it was safe to go back to Palestine.

When they returned, they settled in Nazareth. Joseph was a good father to Jesus and taught him how to be a carpenter, like he was. He also taught Jesus about God and how to be a good person. But, even though he was Jesus' father, he knew that Jesus was special and that he had a special mission to fulfill.

When Jesus was grown up, he began to travel around and teach people about God. Joseph was very proud of him, but he also knew that it was dangerous for Jesus to be doing this. He worried about him a lot. Eventually, Jesus was arrested and put on trial, and then he was crucified. Joseph was not there when this happened, but he knew that Jesus had died.

After Jesus died, some of his followers said that they had seen him alive again. Joseph didn't see Jesus himself, but he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, just like they said. This made him very happy, because it meant that Jesus was still alive, even though he had died.

Saint Joseph is remembered as a just and righteous man, who played a significant role in the life of Jesus. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches. He is the patron saint of fathers, workers, travelers, immigrants, and many others. He is a model of faith, obedience, and humility. He was dedicated to God and to his family, and he taught Jesus to be a good person and to love God. His life is an inspiration for all of us, to live a life of faith and virtue.

Prayer

Dear Saint Joseph,

You were a loving and caring father to Jesus, and you taught him about God and how to be a good person. 

Help me to be like you, to love and honor my own father, and to follow in your footsteps by always trying to do what is right. 

Guide me to be a responsible and hardworking person, just like you were a carpenter. 

Please watch over me and protect me, just as you protected Jesus and Mary. 

I pray that you intercede for me and my family, keep us always close to God's love. 

Amen.

 

 

Lesson plan: The life of Saint Joseph

Objective: 

Students will understand the life and significance of Saint Joseph by reading a biography, participating in group and individual activities, and discussing the impact of his life on Christianity.

Introduction

  • Brief overview of Saint Joseph and his role in Christianity
  • Discussion of the importance of studying the lives of saints

Biography of Saint Joseph

  • Reading of a simplified biography of Saint Joseph, providing students with information about his life, role in Jesus' life, and significance.

Group Activity

  • Divide the class into small groups and have each group create a visual representation of an important event in Saint Joseph's life, using art supplies provided.
  • Have each group present their visual representation to the class and discuss the event and its importance.

Individual Activity

  • Have each student choose one virtue that they believe Saint Joseph embodies and write a short paragraph about how this virtue can be applied in their own lives.
  • Students can share their paragraphs with a partner or small group and discuss how they can work towards embodying this virtue in their daily lives.

Conclusion

  • Summarize key points learned during the lesson
  • Discuss the relevance of Saint Joseph's life and virtues today and how they can inspire us in our own lives
  • Encourage students to continue learning about Saint Joseph and other saints, and reflect on how they can apply their learnings to their own lives.


Note: The activities provided here are just a sample, you can adjust them based on the class size, student's level, school's curriculum and your own teaching style.

Image: St Joseph ) Attributed to Salvatore di Franco

Popular posts from this blog

Following the Good Shepherd (Lesson Plan)

Image
In this lesson, we will explore the biblical metaphor of Jesus as the good shepherd as described in the Bible. Objective:  To understand the significance of the metaphor of Jesus as the good shepherd and its relevance to our lives today. Bible References: John 10:11-18 Psalm 23 Ezekiel 34:11-24 Reflection on Bible References: In John 10:11-18 , Jesus refers to himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. This passage emphasizes the sacrifice and love that Jesus has for his followers. Psalm 23 is a well-known passage that describes God as a shepherd who cares for and protects his sheep. This passage highlights the comfort and security that believers can find in God's care. Ezekiel 34:11-24 also uses the metaphor of a shepherd to describe God's role in caring for and leading his people. This passage emphasizes the responsibility of leaders to care for those under their care. Group Activity: Divide the group into small teams and have them brainstorm differe...
Read more

Practicing the Presence of God: A Guide Inspired by Brother Lawrence

Image
Embarking on a spiritual journey can sometimes feel like navigating an intricate maze. However, some paths, like the teachings of Brother Lawrence in "The Practice of the Presence of God," offer a simple yet profound method: maintaining a constant, loving awareness of God. If you're wondering how to integrate this practice into your daily life, here's a step-by-step guide to help you. 1. Begin With Intention Every morning, upon waking, dedicate a few quiet moments to acknowledge God's presence. Set an intention to keep this connection alive throughout the day, laying a foundation for the hours ahead. 2. Set Up Reminders In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to forget our spiritual intentions. Use alarms, sticky notes, or even daily habits (like sipping water) as cues to refocus on God's presence. 3. Elevate Mundane Activities Choose routine tasks—be it brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or taking a stroll—as sacred moments. Engage in these...
Read more

Creating a Sacred Prayer Space (Lesson Plan)

Image
This lesson is intended to guide students in creating their own personal prayer space in their home. The goal is to help students understand the importance of having a designated area for prayer and reflection, and to provide them with the tools and resources to create their own space. Objective: Students will be able to create a personal prayer space in their home and understand the importance of having a designated area for prayer and reflection. Scripture Reference:  "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6) Lesson Outline: Discuss the importance of having a designated area for prayer and reflection Share examples of different types of prayer spaces (e.g. a corner of a room, a designated room, an outdoor space) Provide resources for creating a prayer space (e.g. candles, statues, crosses, rosaries, etc.) Discuss how to maintain and use t...
Read more