Fr. Raymond J. De Souza on the Holy Week Shadows of St. Joseph - Holy Thursday

"In his apostolic letter for the beginning of the Year of St. Joseph, Pope Francis cites Polish author Jan Dobraczyński. The Holy Father explains that his novel, The Shadow of the Father, 'uses the evocative image of a shadow to define Joseph. In his relationship to Jesus, Joseph was the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father: he watched over him and protected him, never leaving him to go his own way.' (Patris Corde 7)

"Nevertheless, Joseph is not present in the Lord's public life. Yet we might find St. Joseph during Holy Week, if we allow ourselves to imagine where his 'shadow' may have fell upon Jesus in those most sacred days."

In a recent commentary, Father Raymond J. De Souza, founding editor of Convivium Magazine, offered a fouth Holy Week reflection on Saint Joseph, this one for Holy Thursday.

To access Fr. De Souza's complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Commentaries: Father Raymond J. de Souza: The Holy Week Shadows of St. Joseph: Holy Thursday (1 APR 21)