Colin Snow
The statue of a sleeping St. Joseph is a popular symbol of trust in God's guidance. St. Joseph is said to have experienced several dreams from God, who revealed his will to him in these dreams. In one such dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to St. Joseph and told him to not be afraid of marrying Mary, who was pregnant, as she would give birth to the saviour, Jesus Christ. This image of St. Joseph sleeping is a reminder of his peaceful surrender to God's plan for his life. Many people, including Pope Francis, have adopted the practice of placing small statues of a sleeping St. Joseph in their homes, writing down their personal intentions and placing them under the statue, trusting that St. Joseph will present their requests to God in his dreams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Pope Francis popularized the statue during a trip to the Philippines in 2015, and it has since gained traction worldwide. |
| Symbolism | St. Joseph's sleep represents his peaceful surrender to God's plan, his role as a protector and defender of the Church, and his willingness to do God's will. |
| Devotion | Catholics place personal intentions, prayers, or notes under the statue, trusting that St. Joseph will present their requests to God in his dreams and intercede on their behalf. |
| Biblical Significance | St. Joseph experienced four dreams from God in the Gospel of Matthew, guiding him to marry Mary, flee to Egypt, and follow God's will. |
| Appearance | The statue depicts St. Joseph lying on his side, asleep, often wrapped in humble red robes. |
| Location | Statues are placed in homes, next to beds, or in special places. Pope Francis keeps a statue in his private study and has another in his bedroom. |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Francis' devotion to the statue
Pope Francis has long been devoted to the statue of a sleeping St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and patron saint of the Catholic Church. He keeps a statue of St. Joseph on his desk, which he brought with him from Argentina to the Vatican when he was elected pope. He also has another statue of the saint in his private study at Casa Santa Marta.
The Pope shared his personal devotion to the statue during a meeting with families in Manila, Philippines, on January 16, 2015. He revealed that whenever he has a problem, he writes it down on a piece of paper and places it under the statue of St. Joseph so that he can dream about it. He said:
> "I like St. Joseph very much. He’s a strong man of silence. On my desk, I have an image of St. Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he looks after the Church. Yes! We know that he can do that. So when I have a problem, a difficulty, I write a little note and I put it underneath St. Joseph, so that he can dream about it! In other words, I tell him: Pray for this problem!"
Pope Francis's devotion to St. Joseph has inspired many Catholics around the world to adopt this practice and purchase their own Sleeping St. Joseph statues. They place prayer intentions under the statue before they go to sleep, asking St. Joseph for his intercession in the midst of life's difficulties.
The statue of a sleeping St. Joseph is a powerful reminder of his peaceful surrender to God's plan for his life. St. Joseph exemplifies total submission to God in the midst of uncertainty. Pope Francis chose to celebrate the inaugural Mass of his pontificate on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, demonstrating his strong devotion to the saint.
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The saint's dreams
The saints' dreams is a reference to the four dreams that St. Joseph experienced from God in the Gospel of Matthew. In the first dream, St. Joseph is instructed by an angel to continue with his plan to marry Mary, despite her being found with child. After Jesus is born, St. Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with his family. While in Egypt, St. Joseph is told in a dream to return to Israel, and then in another dream is instructed to go to Galilee instead of Judea.
The sleeping St. Joseph statue is a popular icon among Catholics, who place their personal intentions, requests, and prayers under the statue, trusting that St. Joseph will present their petitions to God in his dreams. This practice is known as the devotion to "Sleeping St. Joseph". Pope Francis has popularized this devotion, sharing that he keeps a statue of St. Joseph on his desk, and when he has a problem, he writes it down and places it under the statue, inviting St. Joseph to sleep on it and intercede for him.
The statue of St. Joseph sleeping is a powerful reminder of his peaceful surrender to God's plan for his life. It symbolizes his role as a protector and defender of the Church and his whole-hearted "yes" to God's will, even when it wasn't what he had planned or imagined. St. Joseph exemplifies total submission to God in the midst of uncertainty, trusting in God's guidance and protection.
Through devotion to the sleeping St. Joseph, Catholics seek to emulate his faithfulness and obedience to God's will. They place the statue in a special place, often next to their bed, and write down their prayers and concerns each night, placing them under the statue. They trust that St. Joseph will intercede for them while they sleep, presenting their petitions to God and watching over them and their loved ones. This practice helps devotees develop a closer intimacy with God and discover the blessings of rest, as they learn to trust in God's guidance and protection, just as St. Joseph did in his dreams.
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The saint's surrender to God's plan
The saints' surrender to God's plan is a powerful reminder of their peaceful acceptance of God's will for their lives. Saint Joseph, in particular, exemplifies total submission to God in the midst of uncertainty. He was a man of dreams, receiving messages from God while he slept, and faithfully acting on them. In the Gospel of Matthew, God spoke to Joseph in his dreams four times, and each time, Joseph responded without hesitation, ensuring the protection of the Holy Family.
Pope Francis has popularized the devotion to Sleeping St. Joseph, keeping a statue of the saint on his desk and expressing his admiration for Joseph's strength and silence. He often places notes with prayers and intentions under the statue, inviting Joseph to "sleep on it" and intercede on his behalf. This practice has inspired Catholics worldwide to adopt their own Sleeping St. Joseph statues and seek the saint's intercession during life's difficulties.
The statue of Sleeping St. Joseph serves as a reminder of Joseph's pivotal role in the Bible. Despite his initial plans to quietly divorce Mary upon learning of her pregnancy, Joseph faithfully obeyed God's command to marry her, recognizing that God was entrusting him with his greatest treasures: Mary and the unborn Jesus. Joseph's surrender to God's plan demonstrates his trust in God's guidance, even when it conflicted with his own intentions.
Through devotion to Sleeping St. Joseph, we are invited to emulate Joseph's surrender to God's will. By placing our intentions and prayers beneath the statue, we symbolically offer our concerns to Joseph, trusting that he will present them to God during his dreams. This act of surrender allows us to rest in the knowledge that God is in control, just as Joseph trusted God's plan for his life and the lives of those he protected.
The saints' surrender to God's plan is a testament to their unwavering faith and obedience. Saint Joseph, a protector and defender of the Holy Family, exemplified this surrender by faithfully responding to God's call, even when it required him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Through devotion to saints like Joseph, we are reminded of the power of surrendering our own plans and desires to God's perfect will.
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The saint's role as protector
Saint Joseph is a powerful symbol of protection and defence for the Catholic Church. He is often depicted as sleeping or resting in statues and icons, a reminder of his role as the protector of Jesus and Mary, the Holy Family, when they fled to Egypt to escape King Herod's wrath. Pope Francis, who has long been devoted to St. Joseph, has a statue of the saint sleeping on his desk. He places notes with prayers and problems under the statue, inviting St. Joseph to “sleep on it” and intercede with God to solve these issues.
St. Joseph is a symbol of trust in God's guidance and protection. He was a faithful follower of God's will, even when it did not align with his own plans or expectations. In the Gospel of Matthew, God spoke to St. Joseph in dreams four times, and each time, Joseph responded to God's call, protecting Mary and Jesus. St. Joseph's dreams allowed him to discern God's will and act on it. He was a strong and silent man, and his quiet strength is seen as a source of comfort and protection.
The Pope's devotion to St. Joseph has inspired many Catholics worldwide to adopt the practice of praying to St. Joseph through the sleeping statue. They place their personal intentions, prayers, and requests for grace under the statue, trusting that St. Joseph will present them to God in his dreams. This act of devotion is a way to ask for St. Joseph's intercession and protection, mirroring how he protected the Holy Family.
St. Joseph is also seen as a protector of marriage and the family unit, which are believed to be under threat in modern times. He is invoked as "Terror of Demons", called upon to help fight against the forces of evil and defend the Church and its teachings. As a merciful and protective father figure, St. Joseph is believed to always help those in need, offering spiritual blessings and guidance. He is a symbol of the joy found in providing for and protecting one's family, a dignity that cannot be taken away.
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The saint's popularity
The sleeping statue of St. Joseph is a popular Catholic tradition and devotional practice, especially among those seeking help with housing or real estate matters. Devotion to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, has a long history in Christianity, and he is often regarded as a powerful intercessor and a model of faithfulness and humility.
Over time, St. Joseph has become associated with various patronages, including that of workers, carpenters, and, notably, those seeking help with housing and real estate. This particular association is believed to originate from the Gospel of Matthew, where Joseph, as a descendant of King David, travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for a census, and must find suitable accommodations for the birth of Jesus.
The sleeping posture of the statue holds significance. It symbolizes St. Joseph listening and attending to dreams, which played a pivotal role in his life according to the Gospels. In Matthew's Gospel, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife and later warning him to flee to Egypt with his family to escape King Herod's wrath. These dreams guided Joseph's actions and ensured the safety of the Holy Family.
Placing the statue in one's yard or near a 'For Sale' sign has become a specific practice associated with St. Joseph and finding a home. Those who follow this tradition often bury the statue upside down and offer prayers to St. Joseph, asking for his intercession in selling their home or finding a new one. While the exact origins of this custom are unclear, it has become a widely practiced expression of devotion and faith for many Catholics.
The popularity of St. Joseph and the sleeping statue tradition reflects the enduring appeal of saints in Catholic devotion. Saints provide a tangible connection to specific needs and concerns, offering comfort, guidance, and a sense of divine intercession. For those facing the stress and uncertainty of selling or buying a home, invoking the aid of St. Joseph through this statue tradition offers a sense of solace and hope.
The sleeping St. Joseph statue, while a specific expression of devotion, fits within a broader context of Catholic practices that seek divine aid through the intercession of saints. It demonstrates the enduring power of saints in Catholic piety and their ability to provide comfort, inspiration, and a sense of divine presence in the lives of believers.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Bible, St. Joseph received important messages from God while he was asleep. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, telling him to not be afraid of marrying Mary, who was pregnant, as she would give birth to Jesus Christ.
The statue of St. Joseph sleeping is a symbol of trust in God's guidance and his willingness to do God's will. It is also a reminder that St. Joseph was human and got tired, and that God chose to speak to him while he was resting.
Catholics around the world have adopted the practice of buying sleeping St. Joseph statues and placing their personal intentions or prayer requests underneath, trusting that he will present their requests to God in his dreams.
Pope Francis has popularized the devotion to the sleeping St. Joseph statue. He has a statue of St. Joseph on his desk and has expressed his admiration for St. Joseph's faithfulness and willingness to follow God's will. He also places notes with problems or prayers under the statue, inviting St. Joseph to "'sleep on it' and intercede for him.
You can buy sleeping St. Joseph statues from various religious goods stores and online retailers. They are available in different sizes, typically ranging from 4 inches to 12 inches.
