The virtue St. Joseph is probably most well-known for is his chastity. He is frequently referred to as the Most Chaste Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s a virtue we need to imitate, whatever our state in life.
St. Joseph’s chastity is rendered in artistic tradition in several ways. He is shown frequently as elderly and at times even almost frail. He is portrayed often with gray hair. When traveling to Egypt he is shown resting at a distance apart from the Virgin and Child. Even the traditional image of the Death of Joseph highlights the difference in age that set Joseph apart from Jesus and Mary.
Of course exactly how old Joseph was relative to Our Lady is less important. What is more important is the doctrine of Our Lady’s Perpetual Virginity implicitly honored in the artistic tradition. In real life, this was secured not through artistic convention, but through St. Joseph’s chastity.
Chastity is the human and divine virtue which enables man’s love to burn more brightly. It purifies the lover of anything other than to desire what God wants for his beloved. It is a hallmark of presence of the Holy Spirit and a dominant characteristic of St. Joseph’s love for Our Lady. It enabled him to fulfill his responsibility of providing and protecting her in every circumstance in a manner entirely above any suspicion or reproach. Far from being a rare exception of pure love that is difficult to imitate, his chaste love for Our Lady in a way becomes the prototype for all love since it would be the model for the self-surrendering, redeeming love with which Jesus will lay down his life for the Church.
Our world needs models of Chastity today. St. Joseph is one for us.