Go to Joseph

March 1, 2026

As husband and protector of Mary, St. Joseph is a model of strength, fidelity and reciprocal self-gift

By By Julia and Francis Dezelski

March 1, 2026

For Your Marriage.jpg — sedmak / iStock via Getty Images

All four of our daughters could claim the title “daddy’s girl.” The 15-month-old, however, has distinguished herself by preferring Dad over every other person in her life. This makes us muse over what it is that makes him so different. In fact, what makes any little girl so fond of her daddy?

The role of protector and defender belonging to every husband and father may have something to do with it. St. Joseph demonstrates what it means to protect and defend. The humble carpenter of Nazareth, known as guardian of the Redeemer, was also guardian of Mary.

Before Joseph was entrusted with the Christ Child, he was entrusted with Christ’s mother. Yet he underwent the ultimate test upon discovering that his betrothed was expecting a child who was not his own. Even in his confusion, Joseph’s first inclination was to protect the honor of the woman he loved from public shame and disgrace (Mt 1:19).

Of all the attributes Joseph exemplifies, his quiet dignity as protector of Mary’s honor also demonstrates a quality in marriage that is often unspoken. St. John Paul II observed, “God, by giving Joseph to the Virgin, did not give him to her only as a companion for life, a witness of her virginity and protector of her honor: He also gave Joseph to Mary in order that he might share, through the marriage pact, in her own sublime greatness” (Redemptoris Custos, 20).

In marriage, the reciprocity of gifts allows us to protect and to nourish, to provide and to receive. Through this mutual exchange, our children come to recognize all that mothers and fathers contribute to the family — even if the baby continues to exhibit a strong preference for Daddy.

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JULIA AND FRANCIS DEZELSKI write from Hyattsville, Md. Julia serves as associate director for marriage and family life at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Francis, a mechanical engineer, has been a Knight of Columbus since 2014.

Go to Joseph

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