Saint Joseph: Custos Redemptoris, Custos Familiae

Monica McConkey designed a new holy medal, inspired by her dedication to Saint Joseph.

Saint Joseph is a silent figure in the Bible. All we know about Saint Joseph is that he was a righteous man (Matthew 1:18). He was empathetic, just and humble, graciously excusing Mary, even when he didn’t know or understand the truth of her conception of Jesus, with the Holy Spirit. 

He was faith-filled and obedient to the messages he received in his dreams to take Mary as his wife and to flee as necessary to protect his family.  

New titles for Saint Joseph approved by Pope Francis

During the Year of Saint Joseph, comprising most of 2021, Pope Francis approved seven new titles for Saint Joseph: 

• Custos Redemptoris: Guardian of the Redeemer
• Serve Christi: Servant of Christ
• Minister Salutis: Minister of Salvation
• Fulcimen in Difficultatibus: Support in Difficulties
• Patrone Exsulum: Patron of Exiles
• Patrone Afflictorum: Patron of the Afflicted
• Patrone Pauperum: Patron of the Poor 

While Saint Joseph has been recognized as the patron of the Universal Church, unborn children, Fathers, workers, travelers, immigrants and a happy death, he is most uniquely known as the Foster Father of Jesus and the Protector of the Holy Family. 

Creating a design that reflects my devotion

After having adopted the special Devotion of the Cloak of Saint Joseph back in 2021, I cling to Saint Joseph’s intercession as a Protector of the family … and in particular, my family. 

I’ve always appreciated the Saint Benedict medal, reflecting my attachment since childhood to Oxford, Michigan’s community of Benedictine monks. I also secretly wished there was a similar-style Saint Joseph medal, reflecting Saint Joseph’s virtues and his protection of the family. 

So I designed this holy medal and I’m eager to let other Saint Joseph fans see it! 

I sorted through all the titles and invocations of Saint Joseph and settled on my favorite two: Guardian of the Redeemer (thanks, Pope Francis) and Guardian of the Family: the family that is the Universal Church and all the families, including my own. 

Saint Joseph enjoyed a happy death, surrounded by Jesus and Mary; he didn’t experience the Crucifixion of Jesus this side of Heaven. He did however, help to influence and form Jesus in his humanity with all of those classic Saint Joseph virtues, helping to prepare Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice: death on the Cross. 

Components of the medal design

I designed the cross at the center of the medal as two overlapping carpenter squares, reminding us of Saint Joseph’s patience, precision, gentleness, and humility.  

Behind the cross are three lilies. The lily is the flower associated with Saint Joseph for his virtues of integrity, chastity, and purity. The three lilies remind me of the Holy Family: Saint Joseph, Mother Mary, and Jesus. 

The words around the perimeter of the circle are, of course, the Latin translations of Guardian of the Redeemer and Guardian of the Family. 

For use of this image, or to pre-order medallions or stickers, please visit ArmaDei.com. 

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Copyright 2024 Monica McConkey
Images: copyright 2024 Monica McConkey, all rights reserved.