In search of the footprints of the Savior. Holy Land Travelogue – 6

by  Jose Kurian Puliyeril

In St. Joseph's Church

This Church is very close to the St. Mary's Church of Annunciation. Under the floor of the Church we could see the carpentry of St. Joseph retained as it was. The Church is very vast and really beautiful. St. Joseph was a carpenter by profession and with the income from his work he was able to meet all expenses of his household. St. Joseph is well honored by the Holy Church from the very beginning. He has a well-respected place among the saints of the Holy Church. He is honored as the 'Father of all unknown saints'. The tradition claims that our Lord Jesus in his childhood had helped his stepfather in the workshop. We were able to watch a few paintings depicting and manifesting the above statement. Even though there is no proof in the Holy Gospels about the biography of St. Joseph or about the sufferings and pains taken by the saint while taking care of infant Lord Jesus and his beloved mother, it could be understood that St. Joseph had suffered a lot silently and willingly, for the sake of the greater glory of God. He might have suffered a lot to protect the mother and Infant Jesus from the attacks of robbers and opposing circumstances. How much pains he would have undertaken when he took St. Mary, when she was in the final stage of her pregnancy from Nazareth to Bethlehem? 

We would get an idea about it only when we would realize in person the distance between the two cities and the tiredness in traveling from one place to the other in the most modern transport facilities and well maintained roads. We could imagine what would have been the trouble and pains in those days while walking through the mountains and uneven desert paths. St. Joseph suffered all these for the sake of our Lord Jesus. That fact is the real greatness of St. Joseph. When we would travel from Jerusalem to Egypt in most modern air conditioned vehicles, we would wonder how St. Joseph covered such a long distance through the deserts, mountains and stones. When we realize that St. Joseph had suffered all these troubles to care our Lord and Savior, our respect towards St. Joseph will be doubled.

The premises of these two Churches are well maintained with ideal landscaping. The presence of flower bearing plants all around is a great attraction. The members of a convent adjacent to it are taking maximum care to keep the surroundings clean and tidy.